Acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has shared her personal journey of welcoming twins via surrogacy, shedding light on the backlash she faced following the revelation.
In a candid interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Adichie opened up about the criticisms she encountered after news of her twins' birth was made public. The renowned feminist icon and novelist, best known for works like Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, explained the deep love she has for her children and the challenges of discussing the non-traditional path to motherhood.
"My boys are so precious to me. And I hated that anything about them would become politicized. So, on the one hand, I thought, ‘I wish I hadn’t talked about it.’ But on the other hand, there is no way I am going to lie about the process of birthing them," Adichie said.
She emphasized the importance of honesty and the need to break the stigma surrounding alternative reproductive choices, such as surrogacy. Adichie, who is married to Dr. Ivara Esege, a hospital-based physician, described her decision to speak publicly about her experience as a way to challenge societal judgments that often surround fertility struggles.
"I hope that if anything good comes out of this, it would be that more women are less ashamed of talking about reaching motherhood through non-traditional means. Our society is so judgmental, and I don’t think that is good for anyone," Adichie remarked.
The celebrated author also highlighted the pressures placed on women regarding fertility, including struggles with fibroids, infertility, and delayed childbearing. Adichie reflected on the societal expectations that are often unfairly imposed on women, particularly in terms of motherhood at older ages.
"There is so much shame around fertility issues that it’s too much of a burden for women," she stated. "Women are shamed when they have fibroids, when they have trouble getting pregnant, and I don’t believe in that sort of shame."
Concluding on a heartfelt note, Adichie expressed her profound joy in motherhood: "My daughter and my babies are the greatest gift I’ve been given. So — zero regrets."
