Khloe Kardashian’s Emotional Surrogacy Journey: Overcoming Doubts for Her Second Child

In a deeply personal and emotionally charged episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, viewers witnessed Khloe Kardashian grapple with the complex decision of using a surrogate to expand her family. After extensive research, numerous consultations, and significant introspection, Khloe, alongside her partner Tristan Thompson, ultimately concluded that surrogacy was the most viable and safest path to welcome their second child.

The journey towards having another baby began earlier in the season when Khloe and Tristan proactively froze embryos, ensuring they had multiple options for their future family planning. This preparatory step was crucial, especially given the medical advice Khloe had received regarding her own health. “I was told that it would not be smart to carry my second pregnancy because I’d be high risk,” Khloe candidly explained on the May 13 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. This stark medical recommendation steered them definitively towards exploring surrogacy options, a decision Tristan fully supported. Their shared desire to provide their daughter, True Thompson, with a sibling fueled their determination to navigate this intricate process.

Initially, Khloe entered the surrogacy journey with a degree of optimism, largely influenced by her older sister, Kim Kardashian, who had successfully utilized surrogates for two of her children, Chicago and Psalm. Kim’s seemingly seamless experience fostered an expectation in Khloe that her own path might be similarly straightforward. However, as Khloe delved deeper into the process, she quickly realized that surrogacy was far more intricate and emotionally demanding than she had anticipated. With the assistance of a specialized surrogate agent, Khloe began reviewing potential candidates, but this initial filtering process immediately sparked deep-seated concerns. Her biggest fear revolved around making the “wrong” choice, an overwhelming apprehension given the profound implications of entrusting another woman with carrying her child.

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson hold hands while out together. (BACKGRID)

The complexities were further amplified during a Zoom meeting with a surrogacy therapist, a session designed to address the emotional and psychological aspects of the journey for both Khloe and Tristan. During this crucial conversation, the therapist brought to light a significant legal and ethical consideration that intensely heightened Khloe’s anxieties. The therapist explained that in the event of an “unplanned” outcome during the pregnancy—such as the embryo splitting to form twins—the surrogate would legally retain the autonomy to decide whether to terminate the pregnancy. This revelation was a profound shock to Khloe, who had not fully grasped the extent of the surrogate’s bodily rights.

“It’s your baby but it’s her body,” the therapist succinctly clarified, underscoring the legal framework. “She could terminate the pregnancy with any unplanned outcome.” This statement, while legally sound, sent a wave of panic through Khloe. She admitted to being “freaked out” by this information. “Of course, I know it’s her body, my baby, but I really did not put two and two together that that means that she has control over whether she would want to terminate [twins],” Khloe confessed, articulating her deep-seated fear of losing control over such a vital aspect of her future child’s life. The prospect of having a decision of this magnitude outside of her direct influence made her incredibly nervous, leading her to definitely second guess her initial resolve. “It’s just a little intense,” she concluded, reflecting the overwhelming weight of the responsibility and the unexpected legal nuances of surrogacy.

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The emotional turbulence surrounding the surrogacy discussion led Khloe to confide in her mother, Kris Jenner. During their heartfelt conversation, Khloe openly admitted that the entire process was proving to be far more “overwhelming” than she could have ever imagined. “This whole process is incredibly nerve-wracking,” she shared with Kris, highlighting not only the emotional strain but also the intellectual confusion. “It’s also confusing. It definitely makes me think about other options more. I’m starting to wonder if surrogacy is really going to work for me and my family.” Her concerns extended beyond the legal aspects to the practicalities of finding a suitable candidate. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to find a surrogate I can trust,” she worried, emphasizing the rigorous nature of the endeavor. “This is definitely way more detailed and rigorous and we have lawyers and contracts and all these things involved.” The layers of legal documentation, contractual obligations, and the deep level of trust required for such a personal journey were clearly taking a toll on Khloe, making her question her readiness for the path ahead.

Khloe, determined to gain clarity and ease her anxieties, decided to contact a surrogate broker for more detailed information and reassurance. This conversation proved somewhat helpful, providing a more pragmatic perspective on the process. Afterward, she felt a slight improvement in her outlook but remained unconvinced and still harbored significant concerns. “She said you can’t force someone what to do with their body and that freaked me out,” Khloe recounted to Tristan, reiterating the core issue that continued to trouble her. However, the broker also provided crucial details about the safeguards in place: “But she said things are in writing about what my wishes are and you ask [the surrogate] that first and they agree to it with two witnesses. Then, once I pick the person, then it’s in legal writing.” This explanation, emphasizing the pre-screening and contractual agreements, offered a measure of relief by outlining the steps taken to ensure the surrogate’s understanding and agreement with Khloe’s wishes. Yet, even with this newfound understanding, Khloe expressed her discomfort with dwelling on the negative aspects, feeling a need to focus on the positive aspirations of expanding her family.

After considerable contemplation and with unwavering encouragement from Tristan, Khloe eventually reached a significant conclusion: the surrogacy route was indeed the right choice for their family. This decision was not made lightly but stemmed from a profound desire to give their daughter, True Thompson, a sibling. “True is two-and-a-half and I definitely want her to have another sibling,” Khloe affirmed. “It’s selfish of me if I don’t give her that.” This heartfelt sentiment underscored her commitment to creating a larger family, driven by love for True and the vision of a complete household. However, Khloe was resolute in her approach, vowing not to rush any part of the process. She emphasized the importance of finding the absolute “right fit” for their surrogate, someone who aligns with their family’s values and whom they can completely trust. “But I want to make sure that whoever we choose as a surrogate is the right fit for our family and I’m not just rushing to do something,” she stated. “So even if I find one within the next year, I’ll feel good about that.” This measured and thoughtful approach highlighted Khloe’s maturity and her determination to ensure every aspect of this life-changing decision was handled with the utmost care and consideration.

This particular episode of KUWTK was filmed in September 2020, meaning that over six months elapsed between the time of this deep discussion and the episode’s airing. As of the airdate, public confirmation regarding Khloe finding a surrogate she fully trusts and moving forward with the pregnancy remained elusive. The journey of Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson to welcome their second child through surrogacy is a testament to the emotional and logistical complexities involved in modern family planning, offering a raw and honest glimpse into the challenges and triumphs faced by prospective parents navigating this deeply personal path. Fans eagerly await updates on this significant chapter in Khloe’s life, hoping for positive news about her expanding family.