Mariska Hargitay is on the May cover of Good Housekeeping magazine, where she talks about the long, arduous and emotional process to adopt her children.
The television star shared the details and even got emotional when discussing it.
“I’m not gonna lie,” Hargitay says. “There were wrenching moments. I say to everybody, ‘Adoption is not for the faint of heart.’ “
Hargitay was all set to meet her new baby and even held her in the delivery room. For two days, they bonded with the newborn and picked out her new name. But then in a shocking turn of events, they birth mother decided she wanted to keep the baby.
“The birth mother changed her mind,” Hargitay says, her eyes welling up at the memory. “It was nothing short of devastating. But…this is what I’ve come to understand about life: It was probably the greatest, happiest ending. I mean, it was so painful for us, but it was deeply joyful and deeply right for her.”
Later, they located another expectant mom who allowed the actress and her husband to be in the delivery room, which she says was “storybook.”
“Peter and I held her, and then the birth mother and I hugged for a long time. That was profound. That was one of the most meaningful moments I’ve ever had in my life.”
A few days later, another baby born prematurely was available for adoption and the couple jumped at the chance.
“I don’t really know what to say about it, other than it was a no-brainer. Peter and I both thought, Let’s do it! I’m in!” she says. “It was like…a miracle. And I don’t use that word lightly. I’ve never made a bigger decision so quickly. The whole thing happened in a total of two days.”
- 12:17 PM ET
