What is a Surrogate? 5 Pop Culture Characters That Best Represent A Surrogate Mother

## What is a Surrogate Mother?

What is a surrogate mother? We know you have read several technical articles and done your research on various websites, but there is nothing like a good old-fashioned character lineup to help drive home just what a surrogate mother is.

Presenting the five pop culture characters that best illustrate surrogates.

1.) Fairy Godmother (Cinderella)

Surrogates make dreams come true.

We all know the story of how Cinderella's Fairy Godmother came to Cinderella during a devastating time to help make her dreams come true. Well, it is not an exaggeration to say that working with a surrogate can feel like having a fairy godmother on your side. Out of nowhere, an amazing person comes into your life and "Alakazam!" - she brings your dreams within reach.

2.) Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)

Surrogacy is more like babysitting.

One of our favorite Instagram posts is a ConceiveAbilities surrogate holding a sign next to her belly which reads "Just Babysitting." In fact, if you search the web for surrogacy memes (have you seen these yet?), you will be bombarded with mentions of how surrogacy is "extreme babysitting."

And as you recall, Mary Poppins was "practically perfect in every way", which is just another manner in which Mary is like our surrogates. ConceiveAbilities requires that applicants meet strict standards to qualify for our program.

(Check out our standards for surrogates here.)

3.) Dorthy (Wizard of Oz)

Family building can feel like Oz.

The majority of surrogates are ladies who have been very lucky with their own fertility, and most have very little exposure to the unfamiliar world of alternative reproductive technology (ART). The medical phase of the journey alone is enough to inspire any GC to exclaim that she is "not in Kansas anymore."

Along the way, Dorothy helps some amazing guys discover the courage they always had to achieve their own dreams. With more male same-sex couples embracing gestational surrogacy now than ever before, Dorothy and her adventures make our list.

4.) Samantha (Bewitched)

Surrogates are (secretly) magical.

We know this reference may be a little dusty, but we thought it was just too perfect not to include. As you recall, in Bewitched, the beautiful Samantha appears to most of her friends and neighbors as a "normal suburban housewife." Of course, in addition to being a hottie, mom, and wife, Samantha is downright magical and capable of extraordinary feats.

Surrogates may fly under the radar in their day-to-day but in reality, they are downright magical!

5.) Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

Surrogates are passionately inspired to help others.

As anyone who has ever gone through it will attest, pregnancy can be hard work. Let's not even talk about labor. And true - pregnancy and labor are not a compulsory, annually televised death match, but they are certainly not a cakewalk either.

Much like Katniss, surrogates "volunteer as tribute" taking on the challenges of pregnancy and delivery for those who can't.

--- Bonus character ---

6.) Baby Dinosaur (Dinosaurs)

Surrogates are "not the Mama."

We couldn't help but throw in one last character. This character doesn't exemplify any of the qualities that we associate with our surrogates but this baby's tagline definitely clears up a common misconception about surrogacy.

Gestational carriers do not have a genetic link to the child or children - that is to say, they are "not the mama."

Additional Reading

Our surrogate mothers are the real versions of these brave heroines and magical protagonists. They are the ones who are willing to stand up and help intended parents achieve their dream of starting their own family. We take every opportunity to celebrate the selflessness and determination of our surrogates.

To learn about a real surrogacy journey, read our interview with GC Angie Starcher and her experience as a surrogate.

To learn more about a unique and vibrant community of bright and inspiring GCs, learn more about ConceiveAbilities' SurroSisterhood.

Keep following the Conceiveabilities blog for more news, resources, and articles on intended parents, gestational surrogacy, and egg donation.