Getty
Selena Gomez, beloved for her music and acting career, recently opened up about a deeply personal aspect of her life: her health struggles and their impact on her plans for motherhood. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, the Only Murders in the Building star revealed that she will be unable to carry a pregnancy to term due to ongoing medical issues.
“I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children,” Gomez shared, explaining that her health conditions would put both her and a baby at risk. “That was something I had to grieve for a while.”
While the 32-year-old singer and actress didn’t specify which medical condition prevents her from carrying a pregnancy, she has previously been transparent about her battle with lupus, her kidney transplant, and her mental health challenges. Here’s a deeper dive into how these health issues have affected her life.
What disease does Selena Gomez have?
Selena Gomez was diagnosed with lupus in 2015. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, leading to widespread inflammation and damage to vital organs, including the kidneys, heart, and lungs. In Gomez’s case, the disease severely impacted her kidneys, eventually leading to a life-saving transplant in 2017.
Lupus also presents additional challenges for people who want to become pregnant. The condition can increase the risk of complications, such as preeclampsia, preterm labour, and miscarriage, all of which could pose a significant danger to both the mother and the baby. For Gomez, these risks have made pregnancy an unfeasible option.
Why did Selena Gomez need a kidney transplant?
In 2017, Gomez underwent a kidney transplant due to lupus nephritis, a complication of lupus that affects the kidneys. Her close friend and fellow actress, Francia Raisa, donated the kidney. The transplant was a life-altering procedure, helping Gomez manage her lupus symptoms and improve her overall health.
However, the journey wasn’t without its complications. Following the surgery, Gomez experienced an additional health scare when one of her arteries ruptured. Fortunately, the medical team was able to perform emergency surgery to fix the situation, but it highlighted how severe her health issues had become.
How has Selena Gomez’s bipolar disorder affected her?
In 2020, Gomez revealed that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This came after years of struggling with anxiety, depression, and even a psychotic episode during which she heard voices and felt suicidal. Managing her mental health has been a priority, and she’s been open about the two medications she takes to treat her bipolar disorder.
These medications play a key role in why Gomez cannot carry a pregnancy. In her 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, she explained that the medications she takes for her mental health could make pregnancy unsafe, both for her and the baby.
“It’s a very big, big, present thing in my life,” she said, acknowledging the difficult decisions she’s had to make regarding motherhood.
What are Selena Gomez’s future plans for parenthood?
Though Gomez cannot carry her own children, she hasn’t given up on her dream of becoming a mother. Adoption and surrogacy are both paths she’s considering. Her connection to adoption is particularly meaningful, as her own mother was adopted.
“I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different,” Gomez shared with Vanity Fair. “At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby.”
