Preemie Mom wanting to learn about Adoption

• By minibus
• Reply 3739151
• January 25, 2013 at 12:22 pm
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I'm pretty sure there are no agencies who specialize or cater to this set. It's kind of like wanting to adopt twins. You could definitely put it out there that you are open to this ... but there's no way that an agency could even begin to say "we specialize in preemies" because most matches are made before birth (in domestic adoption) and therefore there is no way of knowing whether the child will be born prematurely or not.

Best of luck in your search!

• By babiesbabiesbabies
• Reply 3739538
• January 25, 2013 at 2:05 pm
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I agree with minibus. I adopted a low-birthweight baby but not because I planned on it. The birthmom I was getting to know just -- bam! -- went into labor early!

The birthparents are often stressed if they feel they need to find a good home for the baby. Sometimes moderate to heavy smoking is involved, which may lower birthweight. So, overall, I can see conditions in adoption where you could get a pre-term or lower birthweight baby.

Have you considered volunteering at your local hospital? NICU units sometimes have volunteers. That way you could ask questions regarding foster care and adoption of preemies.

• By FSz
• Reply 3741747
• January 26, 2013 at 9:16 am
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I agree with the others that agencies will often be unable to match you with a preemie because most adoption matches are facilitated while the expecting mother is still pregnant. There are occasionally 'baby on the ground' matches, when a mother decides to place a child for adoption after birth, so it could be possible for the situation you are interested in to arise.....just perhaps not likely.

• By jerseygirl_chris
• Reply 3743917
• January 26, 2013 at 10:07 pm
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Well actually, if you are interested in international adoption, you absolutely can request a preemie, specifically in China and Korea you can do this. Keep in mind though that the child you will be adopting will be a toddler 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 at homecoming. I don't know if that is something you would consider, but thought I would throw it out there.

--Christina

• By mklubin
• Reply 3746654
• January 27, 2013 at 7:52 pm
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Thank you all for your advice and for reaching out. I have so much to learn and am just in the beginning stages of my learning, but any advice is welcome. Thank you again!

• By Coraline
• Reply 3756051 · In reply to 3746654 by mklubin
• January 30, 2013 at 1:09 pm
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I was researching agencies and thought of this post. Spence-Chapin (in NY) has a program, called ASAP for infants up to 8 weeks old who are at risk for developmental delays or are identified as special needs. Parental rights would have already been terminated. There is no fee for this program and it is open to parents nationally. I'm not sure of the wait times, but they placed 20 babies last year per the website. You could probably specify your desire for a preemie with the social workers and they would tell you if this would be a right fit for you. Good luck!


http://www.spence-chapin.org/adoption-programs/b1h_special_needs.php

• By mklubin
• Reply 3758159
• January 30, 2013 at 11:24 pm
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Coraline - this is fantastic! Thank you so very much for thinking of me, and I will definitely keep Spence-Chapin in mind. They seem like such a great agency!