In addition to the laws, many couples don't have a clue about the real costs of adoption. For the most part, adoption costs the average couple between $20,000 and $25,000. Depending on the specific circumstances, the final cost could climb even higher.
Private adoptions in the United States usually involve newborns. And while there are no restrictions on the age of the adoptive parents in the vast majority of states, many birthparents choose adoptive couples who are between the ages of 25 and 45.
Don't worry though if you don't fit that age profile. These couples are united with children, it usually just takes a little longer.
Most birthparents look first to two-parent families to place their child in. But that's not always the case, either. I know of one birth mother who expressly looked for a single, professional mom for her child.
Yes, adoption is alive and well in the United States. Don't let anyone tell you any differently. If you're interested in this option, talk with your doctor, or find a local adoption agency. You can also find more information from various organizations with a presence on the internet.
Surrogate Pregnancy?
While many people are familiar with this option to conceiving naturally, it is indeed one of the more controversial methods. Initially, several decades ago, a surrogate pregnancy involved the egg of the surrogate mom being inseminated with the sperm of the intended father.
That meant the child biologically was the creation of the mother who carried the fetus to term and the biological father. At birth, however, the surrogate mother relinquishes the baby to the father's partner.
The inherent danger is that after a couple goes through the expense and emotional trauma of making this decision the baby, biologically is the surrogates.
As in a much celebrated and publicized case in the 1980s, should the surrogate mom change her mind about relinquishing the baby, the intended parents may have little legal right to object.
Of course in the past 20 to 25 years, a new twist has been added to the experience. Now, the surrogate can have the egg of the both the intended mom and dad implanted in her. In this way, her system is merely a "vehicle" for pregnancy. The intended mom is also the biological mother.
Before you even consider this route -- and there appears to be many sites on the web asking you to think about -- you need to discover the laws pertinent to your state. For one thing, this method may be illegal where you live.
If you do investigate this, then its best if you're at least vaguely familiar with some of the terms used in this procedure. You may hear people or read articles which refer to a gestational surrogacy.
Also called a fully surrogacy or surrogate, this involves both the egg and sperm of the genetic couple -- the partners intending to be the baby's parents. The "carrier" or woman carrying the baby is not genetically or biologically related to the baby at all.
A natural surrogacy is slightly different. The surrogate mother is inseminated with the sperm from the male partner of the infertile couple. The child then is biologically related to the surrogate and the male partner. But the child has no biological link to the woman who will raise the baby, the female partner.
Who usual considers these types of procedures? Very often women whose ovaries aren't working properly due to premature menopause of some other health condition.
In same cases, the woman is fertile, but uses the egg of another woman to reduce the risk of passing a genetic disease or defect on to her children.
While this may appear to be an appealing means of gaining a child of your own, be very careful before you jump into this process. Legally it's tricky and emotionally it's even potentially trickier for all involved.
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