MOTHER
mother. A woman who has given birth to, provided the egg for, or legally adopted a child. • The term is sometimes interpreted as including a pregnant woman who has not yet given birth.
[Cases: Parent and Child 1.C.J.S. Parent and Child §§ 1–12, 201.] adoptive mother.See adoptive parent under PARENT.
biological mother.The woman who provides the egg that develops into an embryo. • With today’s genetic-engineering techniques, the biological mother may not be the birth mother, but she is usu. the legal mother. — Also termed genetic mother; natural mother.
birth mother.The woman who carries an embryo during the gestational period and who delivers the child. • When a child is conceived through artificial insemination, the birth mother may not be the genetic or biological mother. And she may not be the legal mother. — Also termed gestational mother. See surrogate mother; natural mother; biological mother.
de facto mother.See de facto parent under PARENT. foster mother.See foster parent under PARENT. genetic mother.See biological mother. gestational mother.See birth mother. godmother. See GODPARENT. intentional mother.See intentional parent under PARENT. natural mother.See birth mother; biological mother. psychological mother.See psychological parent under PARENT.
stepmother. The wife of one’s father by a later marriage. [Cases: Parent and Child 15. C.J.S.
Parent and Child §§ 345–350, 357–358.]
surrogate mother. 1. A woman who carries out the gestational function and gives birth to a child for another; esp. a woman who agrees to provide her uterus to carry an embryo throughout pregnancy, typically on behalf of an infertile couple, and who relinquishes any parental rights she may have upon the birth of the child. • A surrogate mother may or may not be the genetic mother of a child. — Often shortened to surrogate. — Also termed surrogate parent; gestational surrogate; gestational carrier; surrogate carrier. [Cases: Adoption 6. C.J.S. Adoption of Persons §§ 25–40.] 2. A person who performs the role of a mother. [Cases: Parent and Child 15. C.J.S. Parent and Child §§ 345–350, 357–358.]
[Blacks Law 8th]