The term "natural mother" can refer to the biological mother of a child as opposed to an adoptive or stepmother. However, using this term can be problematic as it implies that a mother who did not give birth to her child is somehow less of a mother. To avoid this, there are several more inclusive synonyms that can be used such as birth mother, biological mother, genetic mother, and biological parent. Using these terms acknowledges that a mother's relationship with her child is not defined solely by biology but also by love, care, and nurturing.