[JessStillWaits]

Just starting the adoption process now (for domestic). We filled out all of our paperwork, and our home visit is 4/2/11. I know I can join the forums of adoption.com, but I have a lot of friends here.

Anyone else starting the adoption process or waiting?

Good luck everyone!

[sarah16]

I just finished the adoption process in January! Good luck.

[GWU1991]

Just wanted to wish you well! May the adoption process go smoothly for you!

[happyladybug]

I have always wanted to adopt. My husband liked the idea, but really wanted to have bio children first and then adopt. Soon after we were married we realized that pregnancy probably wasn't going to come easy for us. Just a few nights ago, we decided to start the adoption process. We knew that many agencies and international adoption countries require that a couple be married two years before adopting. We will be married two years this summer, so if we start the paper process now, we will be definitely be married two years by the time we adopt. We haven't decided on an agency yet, or if we want domestic or international. It is a tough decision! So many agencies seem good. I only know a few people who have adopted, and they were all happy with their agencies. Any input on how other people have decided on an agency and where to adopt from would be appreciated.

[sarah16]

We went with a local agency who when I called to ask questions I felt a connection with right away. I would call and get information from a bunch of agencies and then have a set number of questions you ask all of them to see how they handle fees and other things. I would also go to a local library or bookstore and read all about adoptions. Good luck!

[lela]

We adopted last summer and will be turning to adoption again if our next few rounds of trying for #2 don't work. I agree it's a long road - and in many ways more emotionally difficult than the infertility - but it's so wonderful to know that one way or another, there will be a baby in your family at the end of the journey. I felt like it was such a positive step when we went down that road and I really wish everyone the very best with your adoptions.

By the way - we ended up with an amazing, beautiful, delightful, sweet, bright, funny, talented little girl (no bias here, of course). Not only did we adopt a wonderful baby, but I am convinced that I was unable to conceive because we were meant to be together. I feel like that was an important lesson in keeping an open heart and an open mind.

[ladeebugg]

Originally Posted by JessStillWaits

Just starting the adoption process now (for domestic). We filled out all of our paperwork, and our home visit is 4/2/11. I know I can join the forums of adoption.com, but I have a lot of friends here.

Anyone else starting the adoption process or waiting?

Good luck everyone!

Hey there Jen~
I have seen you around the fertility boards the last few years and i know what you mean about staying on this forum. I have look on the other one and there hardly seems to be any posts or frequent support.

We have come to the end of our IVF/IUI attempts. We did 3 IUI's and 5 IVF's, the last one being in Jan. We have seen 2 different Dr's, with one being Dr Sher in Las Vegas. A few IVF's have been chemical and the others BFN. We are both in our early 40's and feel the pressure of "the clock". We feel as though we have done everything we feel comfortable with while trying to have a biological child and can move onto adoption knowing we will not look back with "what if's" or "wish we would haves."

We are just in the beginning stages of looking into adoption. I have done research on line and bought some books and magazines. I think one of the most important things in the process will be finding an agency we feel comfortable with. Am I right?? I want to talk with people about certain agencies but on the adoption forum you are not allowed to "chat" about it, you must PM people and this isn't working out too well. We have not made any calls to agencies as of yet.

For those of you who have found an agency....

How did you find one you were sure you where comfortable with?

Should you look local or national?

Is local better because you can actually goto the office or is national better cuz they have a wider database?

Is a national one too big?

We are looking at a newborn domestic adoption and we live in Northern California. Anyone have any suggestions on agencies? Or any words of wisdom would be appreciated too.

Thanks again, glad to have found you

[sarah16]

You are lucky because lots of the national ones are in California. I find the national ones to be more expensive. Call and talk to someone though. See what fees you are willing to pay.

[JessStillWaits]

Hi everyone- for anyone deciding which way to go... I found this article to be extremely helpful in making a decision. Also, before you decide on an agency... be sure to check the better business bureau!

Adoption - Adoptive Families

It's a study to figure out the overall costs/ waits, etc... with different forms of adoption. It's pretty informative and I think useful in selecting an agency/ type of adoption.

[GWU1991]

The Yahoo group Adoption_Agency_Research is a great source for agency information. (There is a domestic group and an international group.) They have an great database of agency feedback as well as a list of agencies and indviduals who have had legal issues under one name and reappeared as a new agency under a new name. (Happens more than you would believe.) The messaage board itself is pretty active - at least the international one I belong to - with a lot of 'regulars' who are always happy to help.

[ilovelucy72]

We are going through the foster care system to adopt. We are waiting for a placement now.

[kristyr41982]

We did foster to adopt and were open to legal risk. It has definately paid off as we are soon to adopt our baby girl who was placed at 4 months. It's alot of trouble dealing with CPS, etc. but well worth it in the end. We started the process in 6/09, placed with a child in 6/10 and should finalize next month.

[incompletefamily]

Originally Posted by kristyr41982

We did foster to adopt and were open to legal risk. It has definately paid off as we are soon to adopt our baby girl who was placed at 4 months. It's alot of trouble dealing with CPS, etc. but well worth it in the end. We started the process in 6/09, placed with a child in 6/10 and should finalize next month.

Do you mind if I ask if you were placed with other children while you waited for a more permanent placement or was this little girl your first placement?

[JessStillWaits]

Just wanted to stop by and say hi! My home visit is this Saturday. The only other thing we are waiting for is our physicals which are next Thursday and Friday.

I am excited but also nervous, which I guess is to be expected. I guess after IF it's hard to believe anything will go our way!

[incompletefamily]

Jess: Can't wait to hear about the home study. I think you and I have taken the same route to adoption, ectopics, m/c's and lots of heartache. I hope you are as happy with the idea of adoption as I am.