Will I have a hard time adopting?

Question

My husband and I are considering adoption, but I am concerned that my health history will be an issue. I don't have anything majorly wrong with me, but I did suffer a stroke for unknown reasons in my early 20s. I do not have any deficiencies from the stroke at all. Recently they found elevated levels of anticardiolipin antibodies in me, which *may* have accounted for my stroke, but a lot of healthy people have high levels of these antibodies as well, and my elevated level could be transient (we will check my blood again at the end of the month to see).

It has been over 8 years since my stroke, but when people hear 'stroke' they think you have one foot in the grave already. I know the insurance companies see it that way.

Do you think this will be a major issue that will keep us from being able to adopt? I can have a baby of my own, but it would be considered high risk.

Answer 1

Get a good doctor who specializes in high risk pregnancies and have your OWN baby!!  If you can have your own, you should.  There are a lot of couples out there that CAN'T have their own and they are the ones that should be considering adoption.  There are way more couples waiting to adopt than there are unwed mothers placing babies for adoption.  The process to get approved in the first place is long and then you have to wait even longer until you're "chosen" by a birth mother.  THere are a lot of issues surrounding adoption, so make sure you really educate yourself before deciding it's right for you.  If you want to know if you could even get approved to adopt with your history, call an adoption agency and talk to a caseworker who can tell you for sure.

Answer 2

Adoption Agencies require physcial exams, and the information the doctor provides is very important.  I would ahve a serious discussion with your doctor, before asking for the paperwork to be completed.

Answer 3

As an adoptee - can I just say - especially to those that know that they have major health issues - to think VERY long and hard about adopting.

I - as an adoptee - already have major rejection issues due to be relinquished by my mother. Yeah - I'm older now - and have learnt to cope with theses issues - but that's just how life is for an adoptee - it can be very tough at times.

Just before my first birthday - my adoptive father died in a helicopter crash. Yes - random tragedy - but another loss for me.

Then - at 18 - my a-mother died from cancer. (no she wasn't sick when she adopted me - but first signs were when I was 10)

I've now lost not just 1 set of parents - I've essentially lost 2.

Just be aware of the effects on adoptees of losing parents - and please - if you do adopt - make sure you fully put into place plans for care for the adoptee if something should ever happen to you.

Sadly - sometimes - other extended family members do not feel that the adoptee is really part of the family - and once the adoptive parents are gone - I have known cases of many adoptees who have been left out in the cold. (seriously - this is a very real issue for adoptees)

Just please be aware of all the issues - and plan for anything.

Thanks.

Answer 4

I am adopting through the foster care system and we didn't have any problems...

I have had cancer...don't think it will be a problem

Answer 5

first of all i was adopted but i wasn't in a aptopted home

but i don't know but i know when u see all those kids it will be gerat 2 see all of those faces and it will be hard 2 choose but choose the one u think is great

Answer 6

My wife has a long medical history.  She had major medical problems 20-25 years ago, and still takes medication daily and visits a doctor more in a month than I do in a year.  She is basically healthy, in that she is able to work and function on a day-to-day basis; she just has chronic issues that have to be managed.

However, we were able to adopt from the foster care system without any significant problem.  She was able to show that she is able to function and manage her medical problems.  

You can expect to be asked about your medical history, but I really doubt they will disqualify you.

Answer 7

I am not exactly sure I can answer your question but maybe I can help.  When my wife and I were in the process of adopting we first were licensed by the state (Illinois) to be foster parents.  In order to be foster parents we had to have a medical background check.  A doctor needed to sign a standardized form saying that neither of us had a communicable disease and that neither of us had a current or degenerative medical condition which would leave us unable to care for a child.

If your doctor will sign this form, hopefully you are good to go.

The dog also needed a vet check but I digress.

Answer 8

That all depends on what country that you live in.  In Australia for example, if you are able to have children of your own, (high risk, or not)  then you are not allowed to adopt.  I don't know what the laws are like in America.  As for your health issue, I'm not sure whether that would be a concern for officials or not.  Being that it was 8 years ago, then I think that they should cut you some slack.  After all, you could do a medical test, and if it came up all clear, then they would be stupid not to let you adopt.  

Good luck to you on the adopting scene, I really hope that you are sucessful in giving a child a home.

Answer 9

The last thing a child needs is to lose one family, find another family and then lose them as well

It all depends on whether you put your own needs or the childs needs first

Answer 10

no way you should be able to adopt. my parents are in the prosses of adopting our 4 year old cusin and my dad has alsers and my mom has a high stress level i have scoliolsis. my youngest brother is adhd. but see medical problems should not be in your way. they make everyone in your house hold get pysicals sometimes and the case workers can be harsh sometimes but every thing ealse is smoth sailing i hope everything works out for you.!!!