We've all watched the Kardashians' rise to fame on television, tabloids, and in popular culture. As savvy businesswomen, the Kardashians have created an empire--and in this, a platform to discuss many salient lifestyle issues. With news that three Kardashian sisters are expecting, new discourse has arisen around a woman's family planning and fertility options.
Here's the scoop on the expecting Kardashians:
Making Decisions for her Children's Health and her Own
Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West currently have two children--North and Saint West--who were born via natural pregnancies. Kim faced serious health risks to her and her children during pregnancy.
While pregnant with North, Kim suffered from preeclampsia and had to give birth six weeks early. After giving birth, Kim learned she had developed placenta accrete (where the placenta grew into her uterine wall) and that the placenta accrete returned when pregnant with her son, causing Saint to be born six weeks early as well.
A Liberating Decision to Ensure the Health of Her Growing Family
Kim opened up about her experience with repairing her uterus after developing placenta accrete during pregnancy in an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
After revealing that she is unable to have more children herself, Kim and Kanye discussed the option of using a surrogate. Though currently not confirmed by Kim herself, Kim's potential decision to use a surrogate could destigmatize mothers looking for a nontraditional route to motherhood.
A Public View of Fearing Infertility
Khloe Kardashian and boyfriend Tristan Thompson are rumored to be expecting their first child after a very public fertility scare. Khloe visited a fertility specialist on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians for a reproductive evaluation last April, and learned that her follicle counts were slightly low for a woman her age.
After learning later in the episode that her low follicle count was likely nothing to be concerned about, Khloe's fertility scare brought to light the reality that nearly 6.1 million women in the United States face.
We've watched the Kardashian women suffer heartbreak, reach their greatest goals in life, and rise as some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. This type of publicity, though often receiving mixed reviews from the public, creates a platform for these powerful women to bring important issues to the table. Although we cannot always relate to the Kardashians' lavish lifestyle, many women relate to their struggles with fertility and learn from them that if there's a will, there's a way.
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