Entertainment
Why I went for surrogacy – Actress Ini Edo discusses child’s paternity
Renowned Nollywood actress Ini Edo has opened up on why she chose surrogacy rather than bearing a child herself.
The actress revealed this on the third season of the ‘Young Famous and African’ reality program.
During a discussion with her co-stars, Ini Edo brought up her child’s paternity.
Responding to questions about her marriage and her daughter’s paternity, the actress stated that she had issues carrying pregnancies.
One of her colleagues, Nadia asked: “Do you have a kid?
Ini Edo: “Yes, a baby girl.”
Nadia: “Are you married?”
Ini Edo: “ I’m not married.”
Nadia: “Are you together with the dad?”
Ini Edo: “No I am not.”
Nadia: “Is he still alive?”
Ini Edo replied: “He is not dead. He does not have anything to do with us. We are just two people. Me and my daughter.
“I do not really want to talk about my journey because it is personal. I’m raising my child alone. I went through surrogacy.
“There was no man in my life at the time I wanted to have a child, and there are different ways to go about that.
“I never thought I would have fertility issues. But I have had issues carrying pregnancies long-term. When it looked like it wasn’t going to happen and I wasn’t getting younger, I said, ‘What are the options available?
“Then this option came up, so I took it. I am very happy with my decision.”
Speaking further, the actress explained that she had gone through IVF procedures to get pregnant and had 6 miscarriages before deciding to opt for surrogacy.
Speaking about her journey, the 42-year-old actress said, “I got married at the age of 26 because I thought that by 31, I would have been done with childbearing, retired, and focused on my career, but life didn’t go that way. I tried. I have had over six miscarriages. It wasn’t an easy journey for me. I’ve done IVF. I’ve lost pregnancies midway. I know what I’ve dealt with as a woman.”
Ini Edo married businessman Philip Ehiagwina in 2008, but they divorced in 2014. After facing years of fertility struggles, she welcomed her daughter, Light, in March 2021 through surrogacy.
Her story has started conversations about infertility struggles among women and the challenges of balancing career and motherhood. Many people have praised her for being open about such a personal issue and admire her strength in facing such challenges.