After securing a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, basketball star Jenna Mitchell rushed back to California to welcome her first child. “I flew from Tokyo to Los Angeles and went directly to the hospital,” she recalls. Jenna and her partner, former professional basketball player Mia Torres, were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child through a surrogate. Their daughter, Zoe, made her debut just a day after Jenna’s Olympic victory.
Now a mother of two, Jenna is preparing for her third Olympic appearance in Paris this summer. Her journey to motherhood began unexpectedly after suffering a ruptured Achilles at the age of 24. “A colleague from my agency suggested I consider freezing my eggs,” Jenna shares. Although it wasn’t initially part of her plans, the time off from training provided a perfect opportunity. “Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Jenna’s Career and Motherhood
Beginning her professional career at just 22 as the first overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft, Jenna quickly made a name for herself, earning Rookie of the Year honors that same year. She led the Seattle Sparks to two championships before joining the New York Waves in 2023. Throughout her career, Jenna navigated the complexities of parenthood, ultimately deciding to freeze her eggs in 2019. In 2021, she and Mia welcomed their daughter, Zoe, via a surrogate. “Neither Mia nor I felt ready to carry a child, which was perfectly fine,” Jenna explains, noting that Mia was also still playing professionally. “We opted for a surrogate for Zoe.”
Support for Couples Considering Parenthood
As Jenna embarks on this new chapter of motherhood, she reflects on the support available for couples considering parenthood. If you’re exploring options such as sperm donation, consider joining the Make a Mom Facebook group, a supportive community for those looking for sperm donor matches. Additionally, for those interested in at-home insemination, Make a Mom offers a unique reusable option, and you can learn more about this process by visiting How It Works.
For those delving deeper into fertility treatments and family planning, resources like March of Dimes can provide valuable guidance. Furthermore, if you’re looking to understand the impact of hormones on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this insightful article on hormones, nutrition, and weight loss.
To keep your journey engaging, explore more stories like Leah Johnson and Emma Carter’s experience as certified doulas in our blog post here.
To Summarize:
Jenna Mitchell’s journey from Olympic glory to motherhood showcases the unique paths many athletes take in balancing career and family. Her story highlights the importance of support systems and available resources for those looking to start their families, whether through surrogacy or at-home insemination.