Former CNN International correspondent Isha Sesay has spoken candidly about her decision to become a mother on her own at 46, describing the choice as an "embrace of my own autonomy" rather than a rejection of anyone.
In an interview with CNN, the British-Sierra Leonean journalist, who was the face of CNN's African Voices programme for years, reflected on the journey that led her to make what she called the "bravest and scariest decision" of her life.
"I was like, give me that website, let me find a donor, let me do this on my own," Sesay said, recounting the moment she decided to take control of her life after years of waiting for the right relationship to materialise.
The award-winning journalist, who spent 13 years on air for CNN International, said the decision was triggered by a moment of profound reflection following her mother's catastrophic stroke. "Mortality and the finality of life smacks you in the face, and you think, what is it all for?" she said.
Sesay, who is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador and founder of a nonprofit to empower African girls, admitted she was "amazed by the depth of feeling people have" about her decision to conceive via IVF with a sperm donor. "People who don't know me, people will never meet me, and it's really polarising for some people, and really difficult for some people that I would choose to have a baby on my own," she said.
Addressing those who interpreted her choice as a rejection of men, Sesay was emphatic: "Some people take it as sort of like I did it as an affront or a rejection of men, it's sort of a rejection of anyone. It is an embrace of my own autonomy."
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The journey to motherhood was far from easy. Sesay underwent three IVF attempts, with the first unsuccessful and the second halted mid-cycle because her body responded negatively to the medication. She also underwent an unexpected fibroid surgery. "With two failed attempts to my name, I approached my third embryo transfer with relatively low expectations," she wrote in an earlier opinion piece. When the word "pregnant" finally flashed on the home test, she recalled: "I screamed and fell to my knees before bursting into tears."
Sesay gave birth to her daughter, Naimah Yasmine Kadi Sesay, on February 17, 2024, in New York City. The delivery was complicated by preeclampsia, hemorrhaging, toxemia, and fluid overload, but she described her daughter as her "peace" and her "blessing."
"I am elated, emotional, terrified, but above all thankful," she said. "My child has removed all traces of who I once was and what I considered to be important."
For Sesay, the decision to share her story is about more than personal reflection. "If there is anyone out there being held back from chasing their heart's desire, no matter what it is, maybe my story will spark something in them and provide the little nudge they need to go for it."
