The new comedy, Baby Mama, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, will premiere in movie theaters around the country today. Although I am delighted that a mainstream audience will learn about surrogacy, I am concerned that the comedic-light treatment may incorrectly stereotype the surrogacy process and surrogate mothers.
Baby Mama is a comedy about 37-year-old single, successful businesswoman, Kate Holbrook, who is determined to have a baby. However, she is told that she has a “million-to-one” chance of getting pregnant. After frustrations and negative pregnancy tests, Kate decides that she will try to have a baby with the help of a surrogate mother. Kate finds a surrogate agency and meets Angie Ostrowiski, a South Philly working girl. The comedy ensues when Kate opens her door to find her surrogate mother, Angie, needing a place to live. Personalities collide as they struggle their way through preparation for the baby's arrival. In traditional movie fashion, the women discover that there are two kinds of family: The one you're born to and the one you make.
As a former surrogate mother of twins and founder of West Coast Surrogacy, I am sensitive to the emotions of the individuals and couples that I meet and match with surrogate mothers. The journey that led them to my agency is one that often involves frustration, disappointment and heartache. Being able to provide the opportunity for people to make a family is very rewarding. I am amazed by the courage and commitment of surrogate mothers and intended parents.
Surrogate Mother Providing the opportunity of family
Surrogate mothers are truly special women who sincerely want to help others fulfill their wish to become parents. They are motivated and ready to share in the commitment and joy of giving birth to a child.
Intended Parents Courage to build family
The desire to have children can be so strong that an individual or couple will go to great lengths in order to conceive. Multiple, unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fertilization can be taxing on emotions or maybe an illness had prevented a women from being able to get pregnant. Gestational surrogacy — the surrogate mother has no biological connection to the baby, merely the gestational carrier — provides the opportunity for a family.
Surrogate Agencies The foundation for strong relationships
Surrogate agencies act as a neutral third-party to explain and lead all parties throughout the multi-faceted process. Agencies handle all areas of the surrogacy process to help ease the stress and allows for the intended parents and their surrogate mother to focus on building a relationship.
Legal Guidance Knowing your rights
Surrogacy law continues to be debated. Knowing your rights as an intended parent and as a surrogate takes research, as there is no overarching law. Each state has its own laws regarding surrogacy, with some states not allowing surrogacy as an option.
Surrogacy is a life-changing process. Through surrogacy relationships are built and families are created. Thanks to the movie Baby Mama, the audience will witness the ups-and-downs, the joys and the laughter that come with creating a family. I just hope that viewers will look past the laughter to understand the real women behind surrogate motherhood.
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