Selena Gomez, 32, Opens up About Being Unable to Carry a Child
Selena Gomez recently shared a deeply personal struggle regarding her dreams of motherhood and how the impact of her past medical issues has affected her future.
In a heartfelt and emotional revelation, Selena Gomez has shared that she is unable to carry her own children due to health complications that could endanger both her life and that of a baby.
The 32-year-old singer and actress spoke openly in a recent interview about mourning this reality and the painful journey she has taken to accept alternative paths to motherhood, such as surrogacy or adoption.
Family has always been a central theme in Gomez’s life, and her desire to have children has been no secret. As a godmother to her cousin Priscilla’s two children, she has often been surrounded by the joys and struggles of parenting.
However, these moments have also brought to the surface the singer’s challenges. In a moment of candidness with Vanity Fair, Gomez revealed, “I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children. I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.”
Although upsetting, she seemed at peace. “It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it,” the singer explained. “I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone. [But] I’m in a much better place with that. I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me.”
Despite the heartbreak of not being able to experience pregnancy, the singer is looking forward to becoming a mother in any way. “At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby,” she added.
Over the years, Gomez has opened up in detail about the health struggles that put a stop to any idea of carrying a child. In 2015, she publicly revealed her diagnosis of lupus, an autoimmune disease that led her to undergo chemotherapy. At the time, she took a break from her career due to the severity of her condition.
A year later, Gomez disclosed the mental health difficulties her lupus had caused, which included anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. She told People that these come with their own set of “challenges.”
As a result, the singer once again took time off from her career to prioritize her well-being. However, the struggles continued. In 2017, Gomez received a kidney transplant that saved her life. The kidney was generously donated by her close friend, Francia Raisa.
She publicly thanked Raisa and her medical team for their support during one of the most difficult periods of her life. “I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much, sis,” she wrote on Instagram.
Unfortunately, her problems didn’t end there. Gomez disclosed in 2020 that she was living with bipolar disorder. During an Instagram conversation with Miley Cyrus, she revealed that understanding her condition helped her feel less fearful.
“It doesn’t scare me once I know it,” Gomez said, adding that learning more about her mental health allowed her to take control of her narrative.
These health battles have undeniably influenced Gomez’s perspective on life and her plans for the future, which currently is entwined with music producer Benny Blanco.
Though they were initially friends and collaborators, working on hits like “Same Old Love” and “I Can’t Get Enough,” the two began dating in 2023. Since then, their relationship has blossomed into a public display of affection and mutual admiration.
Their chemistry, often shared through affectionate social media posts, has endeared them to fans who root for their happiness. Only time will tell how Gomez and Blanco navigate the consequences of the singer’s health struggles. But the singer is set on starting a family. She has also considered adoption, as her own mother was adopted.
While Gomez’s journey is rather personal, her openness about her struggles has resonated with many. Her revelation sparked an outpouring of empathy and support from her fans and online users. One fan commented, “That’s sad for her, but she definitely has options, and she’ll make a great mom someday!“
Others have expressed understanding, with one writing, “I feel her pain. I can’t have kids biologically due to medical issues… I wanted to carry so bad, but I can’t, so I feel for Selena [sic]!!!” Another fan wrote, “It’s okay, to be able to get pregnant doesn’t build a mother.”