Adoption is likely the most amazing journey to becoming a parent. There are so many obstacles to face, but in the end it is completely worth it. After all, becoming a parent is the most rewarding accomplishment of a lifetime.
Couples/persons pursue adoption to add to their family for many reasons. Some common reasons are infertility, same-sex relationships, single parent families, or just an overwhelming desire to adopt a child for the sake of adoption. No matter the reason, the outcome is the same…the addition of a new family member to love and cherish.
Families are grown through multiple ways of adoption as well as different levels of contact with birthparents. With as many possibilities that are available these days, there is the perfect adoption plan for you if you are considering this journey for your family.
Below you will find a very brief guide to adoption with a few referrals to help you get the process started. At Women’s Care Specialists we believe family is the most important aspect of life and our office is dedicated to helping you achieve the family you have desired through any avenue necessary.
Types of Adoption:
- Adoption of an existing family member
- Domestic adoption of a newborn baby (through an agency or law firm)
- Domestic adoption of a child (through Division of Family Services or Foster Program)
- International adoption of a child/children from many different countries
- Embryo adoption (through agencies that adopt out embryos obtained through In-Vitro Fertilization cycles of other couples who do not wish to have any more children)
Levels of contact with biological parents:
This is entirely up to the discretion of the birthparents and adoptive parents and is determined on an individual basis.
- Closed adoption- this is typical with international adoptions where there is no contact with the biological parents at all. In some cases of domestic adoptions this is the arrangement agreed upon between the birth and adoptive parents.
- Semi-open adoption- this is a typical arrangement for most domestic and embryo adoptions. There are varying degrees of contact in this category, once again, individualized for each family. There can be as little as a picture/letter once a year to phone calls and visits. The possibilities are endless in this category.
- Open adoption- this is when the birthparents and adoptive parents have complete contact with one another and the birthparents are very much a part of the child’s life.
Home study:
All adoptions require a home study. Home studies typically consist of referral from friends and family as to whether you are fit to be a parent, biography of each parent, proof of employment, financial standings, FBI background check and fingerprinting, and a visit to your home to determine if it is suitable for a child.
Each agency/law firm has their own requirements of what needs to be included in the home study. Some people choose the agency/law firm first and follow their recommendations and others aren’t sure which agency/law firm they want to choose so starting off with someone to initiate a home study would be most beneficial for guidance.
Recommendations for home studies:
Hope Heller, PhD 314-567-7500
Recommendations for Domestic newborn adoptions:
Adoption Network Law Firm- AdoptionNetwork.com
American Adoptions- AmericanAdoptions.com
Recommendation for International Adoptions:
Children Hope International
Recommendation for Embryo Adoption:
National Embryo Adoption Center- embryodonation.org in Knoxville, Tennessee
Toll Free: 866-585-8549
Recommendation of a law firm to handle legal needs for a Private Adoption:
Buescher and White, LLC 214 Elm St, Washington · (636) 390-2202
Although adoption is an amazing journey that results in a new baby/child for your family, the process can often be very challenging and stressful. It is very helpful to talk with other couples who have gone through the process before for support and guidance.
A helpful resource for support:
Infertility and Adoption Support, Inc (IAS). Located in St. Louis. This is a helpful organization for support for both infertility and adoption. www.infertilityandadoption.org
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