| There was a time, and not too long ago, when | | | | between birth and adoptive parents. Experts have |
| adoption was the only real option for couples that | | | | found semi-open adoptions are healthier for the child |
| wanted a child but couldn't conceive. Back then, the | | | | and allow access to important genetic medical history. |
| process was cloaked in secrecy and many adopted | | | | While some couples and birth parents do opt for a |
| children went through much of their lives unaware of | | | | fully open adoption, it remains a bit controversial. |
| how they came into the family. | | | | Proponents argue a child can't have too many people |
| Birth mothers relinquished their babies in the hospital | | | | loving him or her while detractors believe it can be |
| knowing they were severing ties to the child forever. | | | | too confusing. |
| No one talked about it and many adoptive parents | | | | Adoptions have always been expensive, but today |
| and birth mothers went to their graves with the | | | | they can be even more so. After spending thousands |
| secret. Luckily, adoption has changed dramatically | | | | upon thousands of dollars on medical treatments, |
| over the years. | | | | many couples come to the adoption process already |
| Infertile couples have more options to create a | | | | cash strapped. When all is said and done, a typical |
| family than ever before. Intent on having their own | | | | adoption can cost about $30K, with some costing |
| biological children, many couples turn to medical | | | | even more. However, many people are unaware that |
| interventions or surrogate mothers, and don't | | | | they may be eligible for an $12K tax credit when |
| seriously consider adoption until they've exhausted | | | | they adopt, which can significantly offset the cost. |
| other options. Lingering perceptions, misinformation, | | | | Even the Internet has changed how parents adopt. |
| and a general lack of understanding of adoption | | | | The Web can be a useful research tool, but it's also a |
| today can leave prospective parents wary of the | | | | dangerous place full of predators. While the Internet |
| process. | | | | makes it easier to find good adoption resources and |
| It used to be that couples wanting to adopt went to | | | | information from outside one's local area, it's also a |
| an agency, put their names on a list, went through an | | | | haven for scammers looking to prey on vulnerable |
| approval process and then were notified when a | | | | couples who are desperate for a baby. |
| baby became available. The agencies matched babies | | | | Because of all the changes, costs and dangers, many |
| with parents and the birth mother had no say, nor | | | | of today's prospective parents turn to adoption |
| did she know where her baby was going. | | | | consultants for guidance. These experts can explain |
| Today, parents create a profile of themselves and | | | | the differences between domestic and international |
| birth mothers can choose parents for their children. | | | | adoptions and help couples put together a profile |
| While it's empowering for a birth mother, it's also | | | | that's more likely to get noticed by a birth mother. |
| made adoption more competitive, with couples vying | | | | Consultants work for a fee, but in the long run their |
| for babies and trying to create the most compelling | | | | knowledge and contacts can save adoptive parents |
| profile in order to be selected from the pool of | | | | money and heartache. These experienced adoption |
| prospective parents. | | | | professionals serve as advocates for prospective |
| All adoptions used to be closed, meaning the records | | | | parents and can help them through a very stressful |
| were sealed, even to the participants. Today's | | | | and emotional time. |
| adoptions are more open, with information shared | | | | |