Do adoption agency reps actually stroll the halls of maternity wards looking for babies?

Question

Do adoption agency reps actually stroll the halls of maternity wards looking for babies?

Answer 1

Its exactly what Tish said.  I was getting a vaccination today and overheard a nurse talking about adoption to teen girl getting blood work done.   Needless to say, its inappropriate considering she wasn't even considering placing her child. I will be making calls to the hospital as well a writing a few letters. That nurse needs to be fired.

Answer 2

No.

Answer 3

Oh boy, am I really going here?  Yeah, I guess I am.

I actually agree with a lot of what "Shelly P. Tofu" said (shocker) and I also agree with a lot of what "Grapesgum" said (not a shocker, I usually do, but hard to reconcile the 'both' thing here).

As SPT said, there's nothing wrong with letting a woman know -- without coercion or pressure -- that adoption services are available.  Insisting that the pressure or coercion never happens, though, is inaccurate.  There are some people who are pressured to relinquish when they have NEVER even hinted at the idea that they have considered (or would consider) adoption for their child.  There are those who -- as in the case of my sister, and I was a WITNESS to it -- have been pressured by random, uninvited 'case workers' (in this case, a social worker employed by the hospital) to relinquish on the sole basis that she was single and poor (they knew both because she was required to state her marital status on her hospital intake and because she was on state-assistance medical).

Some may (and likely will) tell me that I'm wrong or that they don't 'believe' me or that I misunderstood or something.  That's fine.  It's of no importance -- to me at least -- if someone disputes FACTS in my experience.  Nor does it change the fact that they are FACTS.  It really happened.  I was really there.  I didn't misunderstand the situation.

A woman wearing hospital ID and self-identifying as a social worker came into my sister's hospital room -- uninvited, unscheduled, and not previously announced -- and asked whether my sister had considered adoption for her child.  She visibly 'brightened' when my sister said that she had, in fact, considered adoption.  Her brightness disappeared, however, when my sister went on to inform her that she had also decided, unequivocally, AGAINST adoption for her child.  The case worker went on the 'offensive' at that point (and, trust me...it was definitely offensive) and spent about 20-30 minutes trying to convince my sister that she (my sister) was wrong using most of the 'tactics' in her bag of tricks.  At the point she started to 'repeat' -- as in try the same 'angles' in different words -- I politely asked her to leave.  Up to that point, my sister had already asked her to leave, told her she was 'wasting her breath', pretended (or not) to be falling asleep, and asked her again.  I was trying to avoid 'parenting' my sister by staying out of it (mostly) and letting her, as the 'resident' of the room, handle it herself in the way she saw fit.  It got to the point, though, where I just had to defend my sis. As soon as she (the social worker) started talking again after I'd asked her to leave, I asked again -- not so politely this time.  When she started yet again, I pressed the nurse call button.  She did leave at that point but (believe me) I was more than ready to call the police.

I wish I would have known at the time that staying past my sister's FIRST request to leave was actually illegal.  EVEN for a hospital employee.  I have verified in the LAW of my own state that a hospital room is considered the 'residence' of the patient and BY LAW, a person who does not leave when asked to is trespassing.  I would not have given her nearly the amount of time I did.

*sigh*  Anyway, that's my story.  I agree with Grapesgum that actively pursuing mothers (especially using age/race/socio-economic criteria) to "recruit" them to be 'birth' mothers (Ugh! I hate that term) is WRONG...dead wrong.  I also agree with SPT that 'advertising' in order to make those who are genuinely considering adoption for their child aware of the availability of their services is okay -- as long as it is ethical.  Meaning NO PRESSURE...NO GUILT-TRIPS...NO COERCION.

I think there are some agencies that present ethical adoption services.  I know for sure there are some that don't.  And I know there are some 'workers' in otherwise-ethical agencies that "freelance", if you will, in unethical ways.

Just my $.02

For the record, I'm a social worker.  I am by NO means 'anti-social worker' across the board.  I do think most of us get into the work for good reasons -- even if we don't agree with each other in our points of view.  I, myself, have been on the receiving end of anti-social worker wrath...more than a few times right here on the adoption board where my 'relevant' identity (status..."hat"...role...whatever) is as an adoptee.  It's funny (in a sad way) sometimes that people who want to "have at" me as a social worker tend to forget (or ignore) that I'm also -- and first -- and adopted person.

Answer 4

No, absolutely not.  That would be a complete waste of time and resources not to mention unethical.  

Answer 5

No, they don't, not as often as they'd like to. But tighter precautions mandated by the state in my state have shut that possiblity out.

What hasn't been shut out though are the relationships they establish with the nurses and staff in the hospital. The affiliation and "kick back$."

They're just a phone call away from social services and agencies.

Luckily my hospital had security alarms on the entire level. The baby section had one entry, the same was an exit. That was it. You had wrist bands on at all times mother / child had the same code. This is so people couldn't come in and take the children and run. Its on the third floor so they couldn't escape even if they made it through that door and to the elevator.

Even though I didn't want to be in the hospital, and wouldn't put my daughter down the whole time I was there after I gave birth to her, I knew there wasn't a chance in h**l anyone could take her. Nobody presented information on adoption to me during my stay of 3 days. If they would have, i probably would have tried to get them fired.  

Answer 6

Oh, I certainly would hope not now.  Maybe in the olden days though.

Answer 7

In my case the Social Workers were called by my son's Grandparents and informed  had the baby and where I was.  

Answer 8

I doubt it.

By the time a woman gets to the hospital, she already knows if she's keeping her baby.

Besides the SWs need more time to work on 'em, wear them down.

But I have NO doubt that if 'strolling' the halls worked, they'd do it.

Answer 9

Only in the minds of those looking for a good conspiracy.

Answer 10

I have been an RN for over 16 years and have had 4 babies, I have never seen one...unless they are hiding around corners...lol

Answer 11

if the powers to be at the hospital thought that was happening all h**l would break loose girls today are more aware of their rights about this sort of thing haveing said this this is in australia where it is frowned upon

Answer 12

OMG - no!

Answer 13

Oh, right.  Ahhh...  no I don't think so.

Answer 14

you know though, I know 2 people who adopted infants through the OB/GYN I mean that is who the birth mom was connected to the adoptive parents...

The adoption worker here does go to the hospital to speak with the mom again and does go with the adoptive parents to pick the baby up in most cases...

with so many kids needing homes, why do the steal them or take them away from parents who want to raise them...

they really need to take the profit out of adoptions...

Answer 15

I have never heard of this.  In the 3 different hospitals I have been in, no.  You had to have a pass to get onto the floor.  If the mother asks for social services or to speak with a rep, then and only then can they get access to ask for a mother.  

I considered putting my first baby up for adoption, but the agency was not about to come to me, I had to go to them.

Answer 16

Often not agency reps but nurses and hospital social workers will regularly call them in to "provide information to" single moms, poor mother, and young mothers. When a mother is recovering from childbirth and extremely vulnerable and suggestible, she can be pressured to sign away her baby and may not be able to refuse.

Case "26468 - McCann v. Doe" is an instance where a mothers state of mind and stress level during her post-partum period led to the court revoking her consent.  But this is one of the few cases -- in most cases the mother loses.  In this case the mother phoned the agency herself for information, but yes, agency staff are sometimes invited into maternity wards by staff to "provide information to" post-partum mothers -- they get clearance at various hospitals, and in fact if both the agency and the hospitals come under the auspices of the same religious organization, it is even more likely to happy that there will be a regular working relationship between hospital and agency.

edit: 4 years ago i worked with a "Moms and Mentors" group.  One of our young moms gave birth in the local hospital and an adoption social worker was right there the next day - out of the blue - trying to convince her to give up her baby.  

and even though it was over 25 years ago this happened to me at the same hospital. i gave birth and while recovering they called in a social worker (unrequested) to bring me adoption papers and try to convince me that i could not raise my baby).   the hospital definitely had this as regular practice for unwed mothers.   i have been advised lately when inquiring that she was even given copies of my hospital records (there was no privacy legislation at the time preventing it).

A friend in Ontario, Canada, told me last year that what is common for young unwed mothers now -- that the "Children's Aid Society" (which does adoptions) is called to do a "risk assessment" and that moms are pressured to surrender their babies.

Answer 17

I am a social worker and that would go against our ethics.  From my friends who work in that part of social work they have never done that before.  They say that moms come to them when they want to give their child a better life. It is not about taking children away.  It is about giving children who need someone to love them a home.  Just a side note most Social Workers get into this field to help people have a better life.  We get paid very little and have many people think that we want to be a pain in people's lives  This is not why any of us become Social Workers.  I love my field and hate when people think that we are there to be a pain or steal children.  

Answer 18

NO!!! who ever told you that they do is a liar.

Answer 19

I work in two hospitals the wards are under lock and key. No unauthorized personal is allowed entrance. Neither hospital will accept any literature on adoption from agencies or lawyers. However if a woman inquires about adoption and asks to speak to someone a case manager is sent to her room.  *A case manager is a social worker that works for the hospital*

I have seen adoptive parents attend the birth of their child-to-be.

We have a written policies in both hospitals stating the needs of the mom in labor come first. The pre-adoptive parents are briefed on our policies and told if they break any of the rules they will be escorted out.

I have seen my fair share of family drama in the maternity ward that I have chosen a birthing center.

Answer 20

I have heard that they also stuff their business cards into the pockets of maternity clothes sold at the more inexpensive and/or re-sale stores.  Considering some of the tainted methods used by some unethical adoption agencies, would this really surprise you?  What do you think the term "recruiter" means?

I strongly encourage all PAP's to ensure the ethical treatment/placement for the child they adopt!  

Answer 21

no, but like tish said, they are tight with social workers and usually know the staff, who pass on info about "at risk" women.

ETA- they don't ware warning signs or Look like lepers, you wouldn't be able to pick one out of a crowd.

Answer 22

I've never seen or overheard any adoption employees in hospitals... and I was just there last week to see my cousins babies.  But, that doesn't mean that there are adoption employees who do solicit any where they can.

My question is this:  Could it be that anti-adoption people misconstrue what is really going on because the other person happens to be pro-adoption?  Think about that.  Look in here at those to the extreme "answerers".  They totally change things around because of their narrow-mindedness.

Answer 23

it's not as overt as "strolling the halls"; yet a call or two to an "inside connection" (usually a social worker or nurse) to be on the lookout for any potential 'situations.'

this also happens in ob offices, high schools and public health clinics.

ETA: those who can not fathom why telling a pregnant woman you are looking to adopt is unethical need to have a few screws tightened! by your logic, if someone is awaiting a organ for transplant, then they should be able to ask random people with healthy organs, "hey, i'm looking for a good kidney, know where i can get one? are YOU interested in letting me score one of yours?"

btw, trolling of organs is illegal, but somehow trolling for babies is fine...i don't get it.

i'm sorry, but one's desperations doesn't trump social decorum.

Answer 24

No.. it's just a conspiracy theory.

The anti-adoption people here just want a good conspiracy to show that APs/PAPs are greedy baby stealers

Read Grapegum's supposed "proof" it's a load of rubbish.. if you read the quotes carefully, there's nothing in it that's "proof" of any kind of stalking or coersion. There's a BIG difference between advertizing and randomly targeting individual pregnant women without knowing if they want to adopt or not.

Sure there are trained people, even in hospitals, that can connect women with adoption agencies or suggest agencies if the women express a consideration of adoption.  That does NOT mean they are sitting there with a pregnant woman giving birth, just because she's poor or single or whatever and trying to convince her to give her baby up.. NO.. they're making themselves AVAILABLE to women who express a desire to put the baby up for adoption.

Even the phrase "targeting suitable birthparents" can be taken out of context. If you read on, it's talking about ADVERTIZING.. making the agencie's presence known.. that does NOT mean they're tracking down random pregnant women and saying "have you thought about adoption? You really should." No.. they're just saying to all people "Hey, thinking about adoption? We're here if you need/want us to help you."

I mean, what's wrong with letting people know you want to adopt (as she quotes another supposed "quote"  So all your friends, pastors, etc know you want to adopt..So what? So what if they happen to then meet a young woman who expresses considering adoption for her baby. So they let you know about each other. So what? THat still doesn't mean the AP is trying to find the first pregant woman they can and try to talk them into giving them their baby, or even pressuring THAT woman (referred by the friend or pastor) into giving them their child.  No.... there IS such a thing as just letting someone (who's thought about adoption) "Hey, I'm wanting to adopt. If you want to find your baby a good home, give me a call, I'm here." That, in my mind, is NOT coercion.

Anyway, my point is there's a BIG difference between a pizza store advertizing on TV, internet, billboards, etc, saying "Hey! hungry? We make great pizza.. Give us a call, stop by, whatever!"  BIG difference between  that and a Dominoes truck stopping by your house a half hour before lunch with 5 hot pizzas and haggling you to buy them.

I see nothing in Grapegum's supposed research that shows the Dominoes car stopping at every house at lunchtime and pressuring random people to buy the pizza they have in their  car.

I see nothing more than Dominoes advertising everywhere so that EVERY hungry person knows that they're there as an OPTION for lunch.

Letting a potential birthmother know the name and phone number of a couple that is looking to adopt, is hardly stealing a child, or even coercion.

Now, randomly one-on-one telling individual pregnant women about a Potential adoptive family, before you even know if they're even considering adoption, assuming they will relinquish just because they're single, poor, whatever.. that is in VERY bad taste and needs to be discouraged.