Actor Priyanka Chopra has revealed deeply personal details about the traumatic early days following the premature birth of her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, describing the experience as one of the most emotionally challenging periods of her life. Speaking on Jay Shetty’s podcast, the global star reflected on the difficult circumstances surrounding Malti’s arrival via surrogacy in January 2022 and the long medical journey that followed.
Premature birth and emotional shock
Priyanka shared that she was devastated when she learned her daughter would be born extremely premature at just 27 weeks. She recalled feeling completely numb and overwhelmed by the situation, describing how she struggled to process the news. The actor said the moment left her emotionally frozen, and she relied on the support of her husband, Nick Jonas, as they rushed to the hospital during the tense COVID-19 period.
She described Malti as a “miracle baby” and revealed that her journey to motherhood had already been emotionally demanding. The premature birth intensified her fears, as the baby was born under critical medical conditions and required immediate intensive care.
110 days in intensive care
Malti spent nearly 110 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), during which Priyanka and Nick remained constantly by her side. The actor described the period as “personally traumatic,” noting that hospital rules allowed only one parent at a time to be with their daughter. She said the couple took turns staying with Malti and paused all professional commitments to focus entirely on her recovery.
The infant’s fragile condition required extensive medical intervention, including six blood transfusions. Priyanka recalled how small Malti was at birth and how the experience reshaped her priorities, making her fiercely protective of her daughter’s health and well-being.
Faith, music, and emotional resilience
During Malti’s hospital stay, Priyanka turned to spiritual practices and music for strength. She revealed that she played sacred chants such as the Mahamrityunjay Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, and Om Namah Shiv mantra softly beside her daughter’s crib. Meanwhile, Nick sang to Malti and practiced skin-to-skin contact as recommended by doctors, helping to comfort and stabilize the newborn.
Priyanka also said the couple was forced to publicly announce Malti’s birth earlier than planned after media reports began circulating. She explained that they had hoped to keep the news private until their daughter’s condition improved but felt pressured when the information was leaked.
Emotional homecoming and new perspective
After more than three months in intensive care, Malti was finally able to return home, marking a deeply emotional milestone for the family. Priyanka recalled breaking down in tears of gratitude, reflecting on the strength and resilience the experience demanded. She said the journey transformed her perspective on motherhood, making her stronger and more determined.
The actor described the experience as life-changing, emphasizing her gratitude for her daughter’s survival and the support of her husband and family. Priyanka concluded that despite the trauma, she feels blessed to have overcome the difficult chapter and to share her life with her daughter and husband.
By – Sonali