Khloé Kardashian recently opened up about her experience with surrogacy during an appearance on the SHE MD podcast on May 7. The reality star, who welcomed her baby boy via surrogacy, candidly discussed the challenges she faced in viewing pregnancy as a “real” experience.
Kardashian welcomed her son Tatum via surrogacy in July 2023 but admitted that she initially had difficulty bonding with him. In a Season 3 episode of The Kardashians, she expressed her struggles to form an immediate connection with her newborn.
“With surrogacy, it’s really different,” she said on the podcast. “It’s hard for me to process that this baby is mine when I didn’t carry him myself.” She elaborated that because she was not physically pregnant, the pregnancy didn’t feel as tangible to her.
“So, it was a couple of days before Thanksgiving and I ended up doing the transfer. And then the first week of December, I found out that my ex was actually having a baby with somebody else,” recalled Khloé while speaking of former partner Tristan Thompson who cheated on her with another woman.
The Good American founder revealed, “I never told my family I did the initial embryo transfer. I wasn’t going to tell anyone until it took, because I wanted to surprise everyone. So no one knew.” Reflecting on surrogacy, Khloé mentioned, “The entire pregnancy of my surrogate, I admittedly buried my head in the sand and I said to Dr. A, ‘I can’t do this.’ And the whole surrogacy pregnancy, I was really detached.”
“I couldn’t really face it. I very much think I was in denial that this is happening,” continued the 39-year-old. Khloé pointed out, “I didn’t get to really attach during the pregnancy part, but I had one of the world’s best surrogates.”
“Compare it to True and him, it’s a different experience. The connection … took days with True,” she noted. Khloé added, “With him, it’s taking months and we still don’t have a complete bond.”
Despite her challenges, Kardashian emphasized that she has a deep love for her son and continues to work on strengthening their bond. “I’m still learning and adjusting, but it’s all part of the journey,” she noted. “Tatum is a blessing, and I am grateful to have him in my life.”
She also discussed the importance of surrounding herself with a supportive network. Her family, including sisters Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, offered her advice and support throughout the surrogacy process. Kim, who had two of her four children via surrogacy, provided Khloé with valuable insights and encouragement.
On the podcast, Khloé touched on her decision to choose surrogacy after her previous pregnancy with daughter True, which had complications. She described her journey with surrogacy as a way to expand her family safely. “It was the best decision for my health and for my family,” she explained.
In The Kardashians, she also expressed appreciation for the surrogate who helped bring Tatum into the world. “I’m so grateful for her and everything she did to make this possible,” Khloé said. “It’s not an easy journey for anyone involved.”
Kardashian’s openness about her surrogacy experience sheds light on the emotional complexities that can accompany the process. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can provide support and encouragement to others considering surrogacy or struggling with bonding after birth.
As Khloé continues to adjust to life with her son, she remains committed to building a strong relationship with him and creating a loving family environment. Her journey serves as a reminder that parenthood comes in many forms and that each path is unique.
Khloé Kardashian’s story not only highlights the challenges of surrogacy but also celebrates the joys of motherhood. Despite the initial difficulties, she is embracing her role as a mother of two and is determined to create a nurturing and supportive home for her children.