How was medical information supposed to be updated in the baby scoop era and by who?

Question

It has just occured to me (through another answer) that I was responsible for updating the medical information in my daughters file. Please help me to understand how I was supposed to do that when I was told to go home and forget I ever gave birth. I was 16, in a fog, and really don't remember anyone telling me I needed to do that. That means I would have had to keep contact with her father (and or family) and report periodically any medical changes in either family. This seems a little contradicting to me, can anyone shed light on this? Is this expected today in adoption?

Answer 1

I don't think anyone even cared in 1962... I also don't think that back then there was as much evedience that family medical history was as important as we have come to understand today....

Answer 2

I  would suggest contacting the agency or adoption attorney and giving the information to be passed on to the adoptive family.  

BTW, we were not told that the information would ever be updated (and it has not been in 29 years).  We received  the medical information/history from the mother about their families, including sibblings, parents, and grandparents.

Answer 3

It was not a consideration during the BSE, plain and simple.  It was all about taking the babies from those "loose girls" and giving them to "deserving couples," thereby somehow absolving the girl of her great sin.  

The child's true needs were not the top priority.

Answer 4

You are right Lori, I was told I could never find her and she could never find me. How could I get her updated medical info, maybe by sending it to the agency, except she wouldn't get it if she never contacted the agency. Yes, I'm confused.

Answer 5

Lori in the BSE, there was nothing you could do. I've read of moms who sent their agencies certified letters as their own parents aged and had medical issues, but when their children contacted the agencies they were told nothing.

I remember reading once where a firstmom was testifying that years after the adoption, her mother died of a brain aneurysm, and then she herself had a brain aneurysm, and how she begged the adoption agency to add that into her child's file, but they never did.

No one would have listened to you, even if you had gotten through.

Answer 6

To be honest, you couldn't.  I have heard stories where adoption agencies have thrown out letters from adoptees to their natural mothers and vice versa.  

There is absolutely no way to get current health information.  Indiana even has a medical health registry.  Unfortunately there is no information on me or my mother.

Answer 7

To be responsible and stay open to contact if it is needed or wanted, you might contact your agency/attorney yearly/every few years, with current address, any medical changes, and a photo.  This is what I did, which was very helpful to the adoptive parents and my child, who ended up with a medical issue which needed a "heads up" from me.