‘I Never Thought I’d Experience Fertility Issues’ – Actress Ini Edo Opens Up On Her Journey To Motherhood, Her Child’s Paternity And More
Nollywood sweetheart, Ini Edo has opened up about her unique journey to motherhood and her child’s paternity.
Speaking on a recent episode of the reality TV series Young, Famous & African, the 42-year-old actress, who has a 3-year-old daughter named Light, reflected on her struggles with fertility when her co-stars questioned her about her personal life.
Edo revealed that she got married at 26 with hopes of completing her childbearing journey by the age of 31. However, her plans took a challenging turn as she faced persistent fertility issues during her marital life.
Despite the series of challenges, Edo said she remained resolute in her desire to become a mother. She disclosed that she had to opt for surrogacy after unsuccessful long-term attempts at carrying pregnancies.
Luis, one of her co-stars asked Ini if she has a child and she said she has a baby girl.
“Are you married?” Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buhari asked.
“I’m not married,” Ini replied
“Are you together with the dad?” Nadia questioned.
“No I’m not,” Ini said.
“Is he still alive?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Ini replied to Nadia.
“Girl, is he dead or not? It’s a yes or no question,” Nadia insisted.
“He’s not dead. He doesn’t have anything to do with us. We’re just two people. Just me and my child.”
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During her confessional, Ini said:
“My journey is one that I have not really been wanting to talk about because it’s personal.”
“I’m raising her alone,” Ini finally told her co-stars. “I went through surrogacy”.
She added:
“There was no man in my life at the time and I wanted to have a child. There are different ways to go about that.”
Later, Luis, is seen discussing the research he has done regarding surrogacy and his willingness to try having a child through the said means.
However, Ini Edo was taken aback and she asked why he’s choosing surrogacy when he has a girlfriend.
“I don’t think surrogacy is something people just wake up and say that’s what they want to do,” Ini said.
She added during her confessional:
“I never thought I would be someone who had fertility issues. But I’ve had issues carrying pregnancies long-term.
“When it looked like it was not going to happen the way I wanted it to happen and I wasn’t getting younger, I said, ‘What are the option? What is available to me?’
“And then, this option came up, so I took it. And I’m very happy with my decision.”
ALSO READ: First-Time Mum, Ini Edo Shares On How Motherhood Has Changed Her
Ini also revealed that she had gone through IVF procedures to get pregnant and suffered six miscarriages before opting for surrogacy.
Ini Edo got married to businessman, Philip Ehiagwina ,a US-based businessman, in 2008, but their marriage ended in 2014. The union produced no child.
In 2021, Ini welcomed her daughter via surrogacy.