2022 US Adoption Attitudes Survey
2022 US Adoption Attitudes Survey
Conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Published February 2022
What is a “Stork Drop”?
Blinded Faith
Stork Babies – Born Babies
These are babies that are born babies or born very soon. They are called a few things but most call them stork drops, born babies, emergency situations, Immediate Adoption Situation, or Immediate Birth Adoption Opportunity. This occurs when a Birth Mother chooses adoption when the baby is born or right before the birth and doesn’t already have an adoption plan in place.
This means there is limited information, if any available about the baby. No previous contact with the birth mother, or extremely limited. No information on family history, medical history, or birth father.
WHAT-IF?
The “what-if” question is always asked. We do everything we can to provide the most information when these situations come in. But most of the time we don’t get the answers before a family has been identified. Our new system (Instant Profile System – IPS) also allows the adoption professional or caseworker to view all the families that are open to stork drops.
We have been working on providing these types of situations for a long time and have had amazing results.
Due to the urgency of timing, when presented with an immediate situation, likely with no, to limited information about the Birth Parents.
If you have decided that you are able to accept an immediate adoption situation,
Every family’s adoption journey will be unique, and these situations are not for everyone.
This option is not for everyone, and that’s ok. BEFORE you decide if this is right for you, please take some time to consider the following.
If you have decided that you are able to accept an immediate adoption situation:
1. Are you ready for the reality of bringing home a baby in such a short period of time?
2. Will you be prepared to leave right away and travel to where the Birth Mother and baby are located?
3. It will be important for your home study to be up to date because adoption laws will preclude you from moving forward otherwise.
4. An immediate adoption situation will require flexibility and the ability to handle the unexpected.
5. How soon can you leave?
6. Are you open to a drug positive/NAS baby?
7. Are you open to Fetal Alcohol exposure?
8. Are you open to a preemie?
9. How long can you stay if baby is in NICU?
10. Are you open to birth defects? If so to what level?
11. Are you comfortable with a parental history of mental health?
12. Are you comfortable with a baby born due to rape or incest?
13. Are you willing to accept placement of a special needs infant?
14. Are you open to a stork drop that has zero information besides birth conditions?
15. This may potentially be a closed adoption are you comfortable with that
16. Are you ok with no prenatal care or medical history?
17. Do you have the necessary items ready for a quick placement? IE: infant car seat, small diaper bag ready, bottles
18. What are your liquid funds?
19. What funds do you have in grants or loans available?
However, the adoption professionals will be in communication with you and will also be working behind the scenes on coordinating the adoption with the hospital and Birth Mother, working on the legal pathway, addressing Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children issues, if applicable. So don’t worry you will not be alone.
Every family’s adoption journey will be unique.
Disclaimer:
Adoption For My Child provides tools, resources, and connections for adoptive families and adoption professionals. AFMC does not directly facilitate adoptions or provide legal services. For specific legal or adoption-related advice, consult a licensed attorney or adoption agency.
Born Baby/Stork Drop
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When does the final decision to terminate rights have to be made?
Most state laws require the final decision to place a child for adoption be made after the baby is born, however, both adoptive parents as well as expectant parents should check their state guidelines.
What Does Open Adoption Mean For A Birth Father?
Open adoption means there is some level of ongoing contact between birth parents, adoptive parents and the child. Often, open adoption relationships include sharing of photos and letters as well as in-person visits. This allows birth parents the opportunity to stay in touch as their child grows. Every open adoption relationship is different and develops over time. You can choose what feels best for you even if that means limited contact.
I’m Ok With Adoption As A Birth Father, How Involved Do I Have To Be?
Birth fathers can be as involved as they choose to be. At a minimum, you need to speak to a counselor to confirm that you are ok with making an adoption plan, provide your contact information, and sign legal paperwork for the adoption. If you would like to be more involved, you can choose and meet the family and have an open adoption relationship as your child grows up.
We’ve Been Matched, But Now What?
Bringing home baby is one of the biggest, most exciting days in a parent’s life. Most people are nervous and might experience the jitters with the anticipation of the upcoming unknown. Parents have questions. “Now that we’ve matched, what do we do? What should we say to the potential birth mother? What things should we do once our child is home?” Simply put, both adoptive parents and expectant mothers want to know where they go from here.
Prior to bringing home baby, adoptive parents will want to start sleeping with the blanket they will use to wrap their child in. This helps baby learn your scent and he or she will then associate the parents’ scent to the feeling of being safe and secure.
Adoptive parents should be open and honest about their feelings and concerns. Letting the expectant mother know they are a bit nervous for the initial phone call will help put the expectant mother’s own nerves at ease, knowing someone else feels just as anxious and scared as she does.
Adoptive parents will need to discuss the type of adoption plan that the birth mother wants for her baby. Adoptive parents should reiterate their willingness to be flexible if the expectant mother feels she needs to have more or less contact and should not question her decision. While this may be worrisome to some adoptive parents as they would like to keep their information private, it is best to remain as transparent as possible within the legal boundaries. Adoptive parents should remain accommodating and respectful if the expectant mother is reserved at first. Some expectant mothers want to know as much as possible about what their child’s upcoming life will look like, while still others find this painful and choose to know as little as possible. This is her private choice and must remain respected.
Adoptive parents and expectant mothers should talk about the expectant mother’s birth plan and how she envisions her delivery. Expectant mothers should be asked gently how she feels about the adoptive parents being a part of the delivery process and hospital stay. Adoptive parents should remain empathetic to the potential birth mother’s feelings as this is her anxiously anticipated moment of separation and her wishes must remain respected. Adoptive parents may wish to ask the potential birth mother if she would like them to document the process as a gift for her.
About Parent #2
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New York Families
To work with Adoption For My Child you will need to become an Ultimate Members prior to a situation being posted. Ultimate Members DO NOT pay a networking/marketing fee if or when they connect with one of our available situations. Basic Members, however, must pay a $3,000 networking fee which is not allowed for New York Families due to their state laws.
In order for Adoption For My Child to work with prospective adoptive parents from New York in any capacity, including situation referrals, you must be an active client. We want to make sure that you stay within the bounds of adoption ICPC laws. We always encourage any of our potential clients from any state to consult their attorney before using any of our services.
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