The terms "biological mother" and "birth mother" are often used interchangeably, but there can be a subtle difference. "Biological mother" refers to the woman who contributed the egg that resulted in the child's conception. "Birth mother" is the woman who carried the child to term and gave birth.
While most often the terms refer to the same person, there are situations where they might differ:
- Surrogacy: In surrogacy, a woman carries and gives birth to a child conceived with the egg and sperm of another couple. The surrogate mother is the birth mother, but the intended parents are the biological parents.
- Adoption: In adoption, the child is born to one set of parents but raised by another. The biological mother is the woman who gave birth, while the adoptive mother is the woman who raises the child.
Therefore, while "biological mother" and "birth mother" may seem similar, understanding the subtle differences can be crucial in various contexts.
