Having Your Cake and Eating it Too? Continuing in Infertility Treatment While Applying to Adopt

Sitting as I do with one foot in the infertility world and one foot in the adoption world, a question I hear a lot from people is whether they have to stop infertility treatment before they can apply to adopt. I suspect adoption agencies and social workers don’t hear this question as much since most people aren’t comfortable asking them this question. Quite frankly, it is a bit of a sensitive hot topic in adoption circles.

Over the years (Gulp, that sure makes me sound old!), I have talked with many adoption experts and therapists about this question, and there is disagreement about the advisability of continuing to pursue infertility treatment and adoption at the same time. Those that oppose pursuing both are concerned that on some level (perhaps unconsciously) you will consider adoption second best. They view continuing treatment as a red flag that you have not come to terms with your infertility losses and may have trouble bonding with your adopted child. The financial drain of pursuing both may also put undue stress on the family. Others do not think pursuing infertility treatment and adoption are mutually exclusive and that it is possible to pursue both without lessening your commitment to either.
Read the full post at www.creatingafamily.org/blog