Elizabeth Banks on Surrogacy, Pregnancy Struggles

Elizabeth Banks plays an expectant mom in What To Expect When You're Expecting -- but in real life, the 37-year-old actress struggled to get pregnant for years before she and producer husband Max Handelman decided to pursue gestational surrogacy instead.

In the March issue of Women's Health, Banks reveals that once she realized that having a baby is all about the birth of her child and not about the actual pregnancy, she knew surrogacy was the way to go.

"It helps that other moms had said that once they had their babies, they forgot they were ever pregnant," she says. "So once my focus became the baby and not the pregnancy, it was a very easy decision."

Banks and Handelman are now the happy parents to Felix, who was born in March 2011. But even with a newborn and two busy schedules, Banks and her hubby, who have been together for 19 years, make sure they have time for each other -- even if it is to work (they own a production company together).

"Working together provides a lot of balance in our life and it's a way for us to (see each other), because I travel so much for work," she says.

And because of that balance, Banks thinks she and Handelman have the stuff to make their relationship last.

"I have an amazing marriage, and it will be long-lasting. I think I'm a good mom," Banks says. "I could run for office, no problem, because there are no skeletons in my closet. Not that I would run for office."

Banks can currently be seen in Man on a Ledge, and stars next as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games, out March 23.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/elizabeth-banks-surrogacy-pregnancy-struggles/1-a-424899

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