While most couples who seek the help of a reproductive endocrinologist conceive with infertility treatment, not everyone is successful.  At the Premier Fertility Center, Greensboro, NC, we believe that a pregnancy is not the only measure of a success.  Infertility is a significant trial in a person’s life, and our goal is to help you deal with your infertility in a positive way and move on to the next season of your life.  While we hope for a pregnancy and a normal birth, we also understand there are other wonderful avenues for couples to pursue.

In many patients, infertility treatment can be a very costly endeavor with a low rate of success, especially in those women with age related infertility and no insurance coverage.  Many couples in this situation choose the route of adoption.  While the road to adoption can be confusing, we often help couples understand the maze of adoption and pursue the approach which fits them best.  Here are the basic ways a couple can adopt:

1. Local agency (for ex., Children’s Home or Family Services):  These agencies have fewer children now than in the past and the wait can be years.  However, if you are patient and desire an American infant who is healthy, this can be the right choice for you.  Typically, these agencies do not work with older couples and often charge a sliding scale based on your income.
2. Private Adoption:  With a private adoption, the individual or couple works with an adoption attorney to find a birth mother.  Often, the birth mother is involved in the process and “chooses” the couple for her child.  In fact, she often needs some expenses reimbursed and wants to meet the adoptive couple.  All states have laws that protect the birth mother, so there is always a waiting period for her to change her mind and decide to parent the child.  It is also important to make sure the birth father has relinquished his rights to the child.  While difficulties may arise, a good attorney can help you through the unusual legal challenges of this type of adoption.  Attorneys with special skill in adoption are usually members of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.
3. International Adoption Agency:  These adoptions have become very popular in recent years.  They are often relatively quick (less than 2 years) but can be very expensive.  They can be quite confusing since each country has its own unique set of laws.  In fact, many countries welcome individuals and older couples.  If this interests you, please seek the help of an agency that specializes in international adoption.
4. Special Needs Adoption:  These adoptions are difficult to summarize since they run the gamut from sibling groups to older children to bi-racial children to children with medical issues.  Most of these adoptions are through each county department of social services and foster parenting is often a pre-requisite for the adoption.  These adoptions often bring unique challenges and require a couple willing to deal with the potential stress of a special needs adoption.
5. Other situations:  Some agencies, such as the Gladney Center or Bethany Christian Services offer adoptions that are part private and part agency.  Often, they house women who desire to make an adoption plan for their child.  Once the child is born, they match them with prospective adoptive parents.  Unlike a typical agency, they often work closely with the birth mother and give her some decision making in the process.

We also believe that adoption is not always the right choice for those patients who are either unable to conceive or choose not to pursue infertility treatment.  Many women and couples are very content with the option of either child-free living or making a decision not to pursue more children.  Many people come to the place where they are truly content and happy with their life without the need for either a child or more children.  This is often a very difficult and emotional decision that is made only after a lot of soul searching.  At the Premier Fertility Center, we have trained counselors to help if you find yourself at this very difficult crossroad.

Finally, a word about the stress of the infertility journey.  We believe infertility represents one of the most difficult trials you will ever face.  It affects all aspects of your being, including your spirit, soul (mind and emotions) and body.  We don’t want you to overlook any of these areas and encourage you not to go on this journey alone.  Make sure you are open and honest with others about the stress and emotions you are experiencing.  We strongly encourage a visit with one of our counselors if you find yourself unable to cope. 

We also offer support groups to deal with certain aspects of your journey.  These difficult times are often heightened by holidays and family events such as reunions, weddings, and church services.  Please share these feelings with our staff so we can adequately guide you through this process.#6699CC
 

Premier Fertility Center

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