Chrissy Teigen and John Legend announced Wednesday that they had welcomed their fourth child via surrogate, just five months after Teigen gave birth to their third.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Teigen, 37, wrote about her parenting journey: of always dreaming of four children, of dealing with the devastation of pregnancy loss, of hesitantly exploring the option of surrogacy. They attempted one more round of IVF at the same time they found “the most incredible, loving, compassionate surrogate,” who, on their second try, became pregnant − just as Teigen “crept toward the safe zone” of her own pregnancy. Teigen gave birth to Esti Maxine Stephens on Jan. 13 and the surrogate, who Teigen refers to only as Alexandra, gave birth to Wren Alexander Stephens on June 19.
“We want to say thank you for this incredible gift you have given us, Alexandra,” Teigen wrote to the surrogate. “And we are so happy to tell the world he is here, with a name forever connected to you.”
Online reactions were aplenty, with myriad commenters wishing the family well and celebrating their happy ending. Some were quick to point out the privilege of having the financial ability to pay for multiple IVF treatments and a surrogate, not to mention all of the life expenses that go along with having four children.
Still, Teigen has been commended for her ongoing openness about her fertility journey, from publicly grieving over what they originally said to be a miscarriage, to speaking out when Roe v. Wade was overturned that it was a life-saving abortion after a pregnancy complication, to sharing the joy and relief of safely giving birth to a baby girl in January.
For those living with similar stories, seeing someone in the public eye sharing their own struggles has provided them support and strength. And for fans following along from home, seeing the Teigen-Legend household get to build their family in the way they had hoped is the happiest ending.
How Teigen’s fertility story has helped others
When Teigen, who had been chronicling her pregnancy journey on social media, shared in 2020 that she had suffered a loss, some followers used the comments section of her post to grieve their own losses and share their stories with the woman they felt they had come to know and relate to.
“It’s one of the most horrendous experiences a human being can go through … The grieving and the sadness is unmeasurable,” Dr. Janelle Luk, Medical Director of Generation Next Fertility in New York City and a former OB-GYN, told USA TODAY at the time. “Not many people want to talk about loss. It’s amazing for someone with (Teigen’s) status to talk about, ‘Hey, it happens to me, too.’ “
Nearly 20 years after Patricia Walters-Fischer suffered a miscarriage at 19 weeks, Teigen’s pregnancy loss post still offered her some comfort.
“It’s not just today that the loss happens,” Walters-Fischer previously told USA TODAY. “She will remember the birthday … We plan that child’s life to the age of 18 … Those moments continue to mentally happen.”
Teigen paid tribute in the new announcement to the baby they had hoped to welcome in 2020, who the family refers to as Jack.
“Our hearts, and our home, are officially full. And to our Jack, we know both their angel kisses are from you,” she wrote.
Previous storyChrissy Teigen’s openness about pregnancy loss gives strength to women in similar situations
A happy ending − and a new beginning − can be powerful for others to witness. A story that offers hope after heartbreak, psychology experts say, provides resilience against things like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
“It’s a resource that even people who are facing all kinds of obstacles are able to maintain and are able to rely on to cope with all kinds of different stressors,” Matthew Gallagher, an associate professor of clinical psychology at the University of Houston, previously told USA TODAY.
Teigen’s fans seem to agree.
“Thank you @chrissyteigen and @jonlegend for opening your hearts and life stories to us,” therapist and author Chanel Dokun commented on Teigen’s post. “The way you demystify the miraculous tragedy and triumph of life is a gift.”
Contributing: Alia E. Dastagir
Interview:Chrissy Teigen on her ‘gut-wrenching’ year and the stigma surrounding infertility
