“Will She Feel Like Mine?” — Clare Crawley Opens Up About Her Fears After Welcoming Daughter via Surrogacy

Opening up. 

Former Bachelorette Clare Crawley got engaged to Ryan Dawkins in October 2022, shortly after introducing him to Bachelor Nation a month prior.

Early last year, the two officially tied the knot and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Rowen via surrogate in January 2024.

Clare has previously opened up about her connection with her daughter and surrogate during the surrogacy. 

But now, the Bachelor Nation star has taken to Instagram to admit that she felt nervous about being able to connect with Rowen after she was born. 

Alongside a new video, Clare said, “It’s completely normal to wonder if or how your baby will know YOU are their parent when your journey to parenthood involves the incredible gift of a gestational carrier — I felt it as well ••• I wasn’t the one feeling her grow or holding her heartbeat inside me, and I quietly wondered... how will she know l’m her mama?”

She continued, saying, “But the moment she was placed in my arms, she looked at me like she had known me forever. And it was then I realized-she truly has.”

Clare then shared she realized a lesson about love and that her connection with her baby girl was there the whole time. 

“Love doesn’t need nine months in the womb to take root,” she said. “It grows through soulful longing, boundless love, and the quiet magic of being meant for each other. If this worry is whispering in your ear, please don’t let it hold you back from your dream of becoming a parent.”

Clare ended her post by expanding more on her special bond with Rowen and being her mom. 

She shared, “I believe our babies feel our love long before they physically feel us. They’ll recognize your voice, your spirit, your love — and they’ll meet you with a knowing that can only come from the deepest bond of all: the one between a parent and child, written long before their first breaths were even taken. ✨”

The former Bachelorette also wrote an encouraging message over the video to those who might be considering surrogacy. 

She said, “This is your sign if you are considering surrogacy… Do not worry for one moment. They will know who you are by your warmth, your voice, and your never ending love ♥️”