A Difficult Beginning
Nick Jonas recently opened up about the profoundly challenging circumstances surrounding the birth of his daughter, Malti Marie, in January 2022. The musician,
alongside his wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas, welcomed their child via surrogacy, but Malti arrived significantly earlier than expected. Jonas shared on Jay Shetty's 'On Purpose' podcast that the initial moments were filled with immense intensity. Malti was born prematurely, weighing a mere 0.45kg (11 ounces), and was even described as 'purple' at birth, requiring immediate resuscitation by the dedicated NICU team. The couple had anticipated her arrival in April, making her early appearance a swift and unexpected event that immediately shifted their focus to urgent action and medical intervention for their newborn.
Hospital Routine Under COVID
The initial months of Malti's life were spent in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a period that was further complicated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Due to hospital restrictions at the time, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas had to coordinate their visits meticulously, taking turns to spend 12-hour shifts at their daughter's bedside for the entire three and a half months she was hospitalized. Jonas described the hospital environment as a place that evoked mixed emotions, offering both comfort in the presence of other families facing similar struggles and a sense of fear given the critical nature of their situation. This shared experience and the constant presence at the hospital became a testament to their unwavering commitment to their daughter's recovery during this vulnerable period.
Malti's Road to Recovery
During her extended stay in the NICU, young Malti required significant medical attention, undergoing a total of six blood transfusions to aid her recovery. Jonas shared that despite these critical interventions and the challenging start, their daughter showed consistent improvement over time. The family rejoiced when Malti was finally able to leave the hospital and return home after three and a half months of intensive care. Reflecting on their journey, Jonas expressed profound gratitude, stating that Malti is now 'doing great.' He feels she carries an awareness of her challenging entry into the world, making every subsequent day feel like a precious gift and a testament to her resilience.
A Mother's Account
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has also previously shared poignant details about Malti's early arrival and subsequent hospitalization. In a 2023 interview with British Vogue, she revealed that their daughter was born a full trimester ahead of schedule and was so small she could fit 'smaller than my hand.' Chopra Jonas recounted the intense experience of being in the operating room during Malti's delivery and witnessing the swift, critical actions of the intensive-care nurses. She recalled the emotional moment of watching Nick and her intubate their newborn, expressing wonder at how the medical team managed to find the necessary points for intubation on their tiny baby, underscoring the extreme prematurity and the high level of medical expertise required.
