Adopting with no fertility issues?

Question

We want to start the adoption process within the next year or so and are currently researching our options.

As far as we know, we don't have infertility issues. We have chosen adoption as there are SO many kids out there with no families, and I have never been one of those women who crave pregnancy anyway.

A friend told me that no social worker will pass us through the home study once they find out that we have no known fertility issues. Is this true? Will we have problems adopting in our situation? I would have thought they'd WANT people to adopt because there are SO many kids without permanent homes.

Any information on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Your friend is mistaken you don’t have to be infertile / fertility issue  in order to adopt. Now I suppose some agencies might favor infertile couples.  However if you go to an agency and they wouldn’t let you adopt because you have no known fertile issues, then you just go to another agency you will eventually find the right agency. That’s why people do their homework. There is certainly no shortage of children that need to be adopted, that both infertile and fertile people can adopt.

Answer 2

There is no requirement of infertility that I am aware of.  

Many agencies have a policy that they won't represent people that already have children, but that is a case by case issue.

Some may fear that you will adopt a child, then have a biological child that you will like more.  However, that is something that can be addressed in the interview process, and shouldn't preclude the adoption.

If you find a social worker that does take that stance, just move on to another one.

Answer 3

Things are very different from country to country, even region to region within coutries.  However, I very much doubt your friend is correct.

Answer 4

i don't think she is right but i don't know much about it but i have been thinking about adoption bc there are to many kids who need a home with out me having to blow up like a balloon and get all the side effects!!

Answer 5

When we adopted our 2 children- we did not have fertility issues- we actually because of a medical condition I had was on a medication that could have caused birth defects so we chose adoption- and besides I was very favorable to it, due to the fact that I was adopted as well.  I am not even sure our social worker asked why we wanted to adopt.

Answer 6

I'm in the USA, single, and have no fertility issues.  I adopted without any technical problems.  It may depend upon the agancy you use.  Just do some research online and then contact some to ask them about it.  Best wishes.

Answer 7

Most reputable agencies will not care if you are adopting just because you want to help all the children, and they will not care if you have or do not have fertility issues.  What they care about is if you able to love and care for the child.  Go start the process!

Answer 8

It depends.  If you want a newborn child you aren't likely going to be high up on the list, because of the fact that you could potentially have one yourself, where as there may be equally "worthy" couples out there that can't, and a social worker will most likely give a child to them first.  There actually AREN'T that many newborn children out there needing homes.... if they don't have special needs then they tend to be in very high demand.

In terms of an older child (over 1-2 years old), or a child with special needs, then the social worker will DEFINITLY still consider you whether you can have biological children or not.  Those kids do need homes and there isn't a demand for them sadly.  

So your friend is partially right when it comes to newborn children, but I would be willing to bet that she is completely wrong when it comes to older children.

Answer 9

I don't know if it's the same in canada, but I'd recommend trying to adopt through foster care.  Here in the US, there are a lot less requirements for age, infertility, no other kids at home, and all that other mumbo jumbo where they're just trying to narrow down those 90 applicants per infant, KWIM?  If you're adopting through foster care, their main concern is, are you good people, and can you provide this child with a safe and supportive home.  Good luck to you!  Oh, and I totally hear you about the not craving pregnancy thing.  Same here.

ETA:  Don't listen to my avatar.  She can do the pregnancy thing if she wants, I'm cool with the paperwork.  LOL

Answer 10

I am from Canada as well and they will not turn you away because of fertility issues.  You will likely have to wait though if you are in SK or NS, because more parents than kids, but here in ON we got through pretty quickly but we are adopting three older children.  If you are adopting a baby you may have to wait many many years.

Answer 11

You could try fostering if they won't let you adopt outright.  I don't know much on the subject though.  You could also try a private adoption, not through an adoption agency.

Answer 12

I'm not sure about Canada, but I would think that in the US it would be considered "discrimination" if you were turned down from adoption because of your fertility status.  

I agree that you may want to look into the foster care programs.  I doubt that they even ask about fertility because they are trying to move the children from temporary homes to permanent homes.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 13

That would depend on the agency you choose and the province you are in. When I was young and stupid I looked at numerous profiles, some were singles.

Adopting through social services (foster care) would be your best bet.

Answer 14

I know that some agencies in the US can decline a couple without proof of infertility, but others will not.  I would be very surprised if you couldn't adopt at all, but you may have to "shop" agencies a little.

Good luck!

Answer 15

I am in a similar situation, although definitely a few years away from begining the process. I have never been interested in physical pregnancy and there are so many children out there that need a good home. But I have also wondered as well if it would be more difficult with no fertility issues (I'm in Canada as well).  I agree with attempting to approach different agencies, and maybe broach that topic first to see if it would be an issue rather than becoming indulged in the process only to find that it is going no where.  If you do find it difficult, you may want to consider being a foster parent and looking into adopting one of your foster children if they aren't being placed back with family.

I can somewhat understand why there may be a stigma attached to not wanting a pregnancy, but I definitely do not think that should ever hold more weight than providing a child with a good home.

All the best!

Amanda

Answer 16

There are certainly ways to adopt without infertility.  Some agencies and some international programs require infertility, but you can certainly find some that don't, and you can certainly find a homestudy agency that doesn't require infertility.  I'm certain that there is no requirement of infertility to adopt through foster care.