Meghan Trainor explains why she used a surrogate for her third baby (Exclusive)

Duchess Meghan spoke about her journey to welcoming her third child.

The “Still Don’t Care” singer, 32, and her husband Daryl Sabara, 33, welcomed their daughter, Mikey Moon, into the world via surrogate on Sunday, January 18th.

“While it wasn’t our first choice, we talked endlessly with our doctors during this journey, and this was the safest way we could continue to grow our family,” Trainor tells PEOPLE of her decision to become a surrogate. “We are forever grateful for that option.”

The pop star and Spy Kids actor, whom she married in 2018, is also a parent to her sons Riley, 4, and Barry, 2.

“We want people to know that surrogacy is a beautiful way to build a family. It’s not something to whisper about or criticize. It’s rooted in trust, science, love, and teamwork,” Trainor says. “Every family journey looks different, but each one is very valid.”

And Traynor said the family had an “incredible” experience working with the surrogate mother, whose identity has not been disclosed.

“Our surrogate mother is one of the most selfless, strong and loving people I have ever met. We felt so connected throughout our journey and I will always be grateful for the care and love she showed our daughter,” Trainor added. “She gave us the greatest gift of life. She graciously answered our multiple check-in messages to make sure she was doing well.”

The Grammy winner announced the addition to his family with Sabara in an Instagram post on Jan. 20.

“Our baby girl Mikey Moon Trainor is finally here, thanks to our incredible superwoman surrogate mother. We are forever grateful to all the doctors, nurses, and teams who made this dream possible,” Trainor captioned a merry-go-round with a photo of the new party of five. “During this journey, we had many discussions with our doctors and this was the safest way for us to continue to grow our family.”

In the post, Trainor added: “We are over the moon and in love with our precious little girl. Riley and Barry are so excited and we’ve even chosen her middle name. We’re going to enjoy some family time and we love you all.”

The “All About That Bass” singer, who wrote the pregnancy and parenting book “Dear Future Mama,” released in 2023, spoke candidly about the struggles she faced during and after her first two pregnancies.

After Riley was born, he suffered from breathing difficulties and spent several days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until he was healthy enough to be discharged. Trainor then revealed to PEOPLE in 2023 that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after Riley’s birth, when she and Sabara were rushed to the NICU while Trainor was being treated on the operating table.

“Usually when you’re in stitches for 45 minutes, you’re like, ‘Look at my sweet baby. We did it. This is all.’ But I was just laying there by myself,” Trainor told PEOPLE. “At that moment, I was on drugs and I was calling my mom, and she was crying on the phone, like, ‘Are you OK?’ And I was like, ‘We’re going to be OK.’ So when I tell people what happened, they’re like, “Jesus Christ,” and I’m like, “Oh, that was kind of gross, wasn’t it?” …I had to learn how traumatic it was. ”

Trainor also wrote about how she reached a “breaking point” and struggled with her mental and physical health after Barry’s birth.

“I was alone with Barry and he wouldn’t stop crying, so I kept crying. I was having a panic attack and was exhausted, but I felt like I was going to die. If I stood up, I felt like I was going to pass out. I didn’t feel safe holding the baby and at the same time felt like my body was giving up on me,” she wrote in a January 2025 essay for Today.com.

In the essay, she continued, “Having a child is the hardest thing. When I talk to other moms about it, I’m like, ‘Isn’t this traumatic and crazy?'” And we’re expected to walk around looking good. That’s why I want to share my experience. I want to show other mothers that they are not alone and encourage them to ask for help and seek support. It means being honest about your own support system. ”

Despite the hardships, Trainor told PEOPLE in an interview for the 2025 feature, “My kids have made me want to be the best version of myself.”