When you make the commitment to start the adoption process, you are beginning a marathon, whether you realize it or not. The adoption process is grueling. It needs to be this way to screen hopeful adoptive parents for the protection of the children placed for adoption, but that does not change the fact that the adoption process, and particularly the home study, is emotionally draining and hard work.

Because society’s view of adoption is skewed, hopeful adoptive parents just starting the process... more

The very first part of the process is making the decision to adopt in the first place. Some couples reach this place together at the same pace. As with any big decision, most couples do not.

My husband and I were not even close to being on the same page, which made this a very frustrating time in my life. My husband stayed about 6 months behind me for every step of our journey to parenthood. When I was ready to see an infertility doctor, he wanted to try things “naturally” for another 6 months.... more

When you grow your family biologically, you get pregnant and know that a baby is coming in about 9 months. There is no decision-making involved about the age, race, or gender of the baby. You will be parenting the child who is born into your family.

Adoption is so much more complicated. When a woman announces that she is pregnant, she hears questions like, “When is the baby due? What is the gender? Have you chosen a name yet?” When you announce that you plan to adopt, the questions seemingly have no... more

I hope that my overview of potential health issues was informative and that I did not scare anyone away from adopting. LOL My goal was to arm you with the facts as you work your way through the adoption application. I wish that I had access to an overview like this when I was going through the adoption process myself. I would have been in a much better place to make informed decisions about the risks that I was and was not willing to consider in a placement. Instead, my husband and I wound up “winging it,” saying yes,... more

Sickle Cell Anemia

Source of Information: Teens Health

What Is It?

A hereditary disorder that mostly affects people of African ancestry. It is a blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout the body.

What Causes It?

Inheriting two abnormal genes (one from... more

Retardation

Source of Information: Kids Health

What Is It?

Lower than average intelligence.

What Causes It?

Something injures the brain, or a problem prevents the brain from developing normally.

Some possible causes include…

Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy Certain infections or sickness... more

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Source of Information: Webmd.com

What Is It?

An aftereffect of being traumatized.

What Causes It?

Trauma, such as child abuse or suffering any sort of traumatic event, such as a near-death experience.

What are the Symptoms/Risks?

Children... more

Muscular Dystrophy

Source of Information: Kids Health for Parents

What Is It?

A genetic disorder that gradually weakens the body’s muscles.

What Causes It?

Incorrect or missing genetic information that prevents the body from making necessary proteins to build and maintain healthy muscles.

What Are the Symptoms/Risks?

Children... more

Mental Disorders

Note: Our adoption application lumped all mental disorders together and only mentioned schizophrenia. I will discuss bipolar as well since that is also a common mental illness

Source of Information:

Bipolar: Webmd.com Schizophrenia: Webmd.com

What... more

Lack of Prenatal Care

Source of Information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What Is It?

Failure to receive healthcare from an obstetrician or midwife throughout the pregnancy.

What Causes It?

Inability to afford medical No access to medical care Unaware of pregnancy

What... more