Priyanka Chopra Opens Up About Daughter Malti's Premature Birth and NICU Journey
Global superstar Priyanka Chopra and her husband, musician Nick Jonas, have shared intimate details about the challenging early days of their daughter Malti Marie Jonas's life. The couple, who married in 2018 and welcomed their child via surrogacy in 2022, recently revealed that Malti was born prematurely at just 27 weeks gestation.
A Miracle Baby After Difficult Pregnancies
In a candid interview with Marie Claire, Priyanka described Malti as her "miracle baby" after experiencing significant difficulties with previous pregnancies. "Our daughter was very coveted and very desired because I had a really tough time with pregnancies. She's my miracle baby, so everything just stopped when she was born," the actress confessed.
Due to her extremely premature birth, Malti spent several critical months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before finally being able to go home with her parents. This extended hospitalization period created immense emotional strain for the first-time parents.
Forced Public Announcement and Hospital Vigil
During an appearance on Jay Shetty's podcast, Priyanka revealed that she and Nick were forced to publicly confirm their daughter's birth earlier than they had planned. "Because we were in and out of the hospital, I remember it leaked, and we got a text saying that her birth was going to be put out by the papers... that if we didn't, they would in three hours. So we were kind of forced into announcing her birth," she explained.
The actress expressed frustration at losing control of their family narrative during such a vulnerable time. "We wanted to hold onto our own narrative of it; we weren't ready because we didn't know what would happen with her or how she would be," Priyanka shared.
Emotional Support During NICU Stay
Recalling the emotionally overwhelming period when Malti remained in intensive care, Priyanka described how she and Nick created a comforting environment for their fragile newborn. "Nick would sing to her on his guitar. I used to have this little iPod which played all my mantras—my Mahamrityunjay Mantra, my Gayatri Mantra, my Om Namah Shiv mantra—all of it would play all day inside her crib softly," she revealed.
The couple drew strength from spiritual practices and community support during this trying time. "There were a lot of people praying for her. She was very, very desired, very coveted, and treasured. It was so hard, her journey to get to this planet," Priyanka reflected emotionally.
Lingering Anxiety as a Mother
Despite Malti's progress and current health, Priyanka continues to experience significant anxiety as a mother, particularly when separated from her daughter. "I think it's a preemie mom or a NICU mom thing, but I'm still in constant fear. When she's not right by my side, or she's at school, or when I'm in a different country, it's this feeling that your heart is running outside of your body," she confessed.
The actress emphasized how motherhood has fundamentally transformed her priorities. "She's the greatest gift of my life. All my priorities have changed. Everything starts and ends with her," Priyanka stated, highlighting the profound impact her daughter has had on her life perspective.
Priyanka Chopra's revelations provide a rare glimpse into the challenges faced by parents of premature infants, particularly those in the public eye. Her candid discussion about Malti's NICU journey, the forced public announcement, and ongoing maternal anxiety offers insight into the realities behind the celebrity family's public image.
