We are in the same shoes as you are! I have looked into adopting from Russia but it is very expensive and you have to travel there twice. I haven't looked into adopting here in the U.S. yet but we are open to any advice as well.

We were thinking Russia as well! I've been doing more and more research on domestic adoption and because I would love an infant, so it might be the way we go. But it could be just as expensive. The first thing seems to be finding the right agency and I have no idea how to do that. So Im still working on it and Ill let you know the more I learn. Anyone who has been through it and can give advice would be great!

Thanks for your reply. I am looking into finding informaion on domestic adoption as well. It seems like a lot less stress, or is it? Anyway, Sheryl Crow did it in a year and she is single, we should have us a little one in no time right??!! haha I will let you know if I find out some new info ;)

Thanks for writing in the first place! It's nice to know someone else is going through this too, especially when everyone around you seems to be prego! Yup, if Sheryl can do it we can.

Hi there! My husband and I have looked in to both international and domestic adoption. We have choosen the domestic adoption. Here are the positives that we have found. #1 with domestic there isn't such a long wait in their country once you are matched with your baby. #2 Depending on which agency you are going through you can be there for the delivery. #3 You have the option to open or closed adoption. and #4 You get a choice as to the age your willing to adopt. We have choose open adoption. We felt that it was important for our child to know and see how much their birth family cares for them.There are so many agencies to choose from and they all have a orientations that you can attend.The agency that we went through said it is typical for most families to be choosen to be adoptive parents somewhere between 6-18 months. There are many agencies that specialize in international and domestic adoption. If you do a google search you can find many ways to differ costs. However it all can be quite expensive. I do have one BIG TIP go through a agency! They will help to protect you from scams! I hate to think that it could happen!But it does. God bless all of you and I hope this helps.

Thanks for the info! Too funny that you just wrote, I just received a package in the mail with our domestic adoption information for us. hmmmmm is this a sign?? Well thank you so much for giving some insight into domestic adoption, it helped a lot!

Heidi, thank you so much, that is VERY helpful. We are thinking of going domestic for all the reasons you listed! I haven't started the process yet but very soon. How about you Jeanie Marie?

I didn't adopt an infant in this way. Mine was an adoption from the state. But through my experience I can say that I believe you have a better chance of getting more acurate medical information through domestic adoption. So many children adopted from other countries end up in the foster care system when they are found to have serious medical conditions that the adoptive parents didn't expect and don't want to deal with. It's a shame that they go through the time and expense to get these children here and then abandon them but it does happen. Particularly Russian kids have a high rate of fetal alcohol syndrome. There are children everywhere and of all ages who need homes. So I do not want to say "don't" adopt from another country, but really research your options and talk to people who have already done it. Know what risks there are and what risks you are willing to take.

I think the more I've heard the more I think domestic is the way we will go. Now the question is finding the right agency. Any suggestions?

Hi Sadiejane! We just received our adoption packet today! We are going to check it out tonight. There is a DVD with it so maybe I'll make a tasty bag of popcorn with a yummy coke and enjoy the show :) It is called Adoption Network Center. They are in California. I'm still new to all of this so all of the information the women are giving here helps a lot. I have let the dream of International adoption go. We are also going through infertility treatments at the same time so it gets a little expensive. Our insurance covers infertility and some adoption but not all. Oh my we could end up with a baseball team if all this works out!!! I'll keep you posted. Where are you in the process?

Sadie and others,

Please check the website for Ukrainian Angels. We checked it out seven years ago and went to the Ukraine and adopted a little girl at the age of seven. (They also have a 'baby house'. The great thing about the Ukraine is we chose her out of four girls and ten boys available. (They said people think girls are easier to raise, thats why there were more boys available.) Also, we did not go through an adoption agency. We contacted Kathy on the Ukrainian Angels web site. It cost us nothing, and she got us in contact with an interpreter in the Ukraine, who arranged everything. He took us to the Central Orphanage in the Ukraine and arranged the apartment (which was very cheap) and traveling. All was about 12,000. This includes home study, round trip tickets, apartment, food, paying the interpreter etc. Please check into the Ukraine. We spent three weeks over there. From the time of our home study, when we arrived back into the states took 5 months. It's worth every penny!
Linda

Jackie your right! When we researched domestic or international adoption we found out he same thing regarding the potential risks of the baby's health. We have found that even though when you go through domestic adoption the information is only as good as the birth mother wants to give. You will find that you will have the oppertunity to choose the amount of risk or health issues you and your husband are willing to take. I found that the processes for county (foster care) adoption and domestic adoption are totally different. You will have to go through the training and home study for both. I had heard that it is very beneficial to go through the county training even though your may adopt though a agency due to the fact they teach you about the developmental stages you may go though with various things that could occure such as fetal alcohol syndrome,A.D.D. My suggestion is to talk to your husband and ask what kind of lifestlye you are willing to live? No matter how they are. You know it's funny When my husband and I started down this road we never would have believed that there would be so many things you would have to consider! My advise? Be open minded, open hearted and pray that God would give you the one or ones that He wants you to have. Remember, God loves you and there is nothing you can do to mess up His plan. Look up and say "Not my will but your be done.
I have had great response with a agency here in California. IAC independent adoption center. They have 5 branches within the United States. The number is 1-800-571-2913 If you want to look at our Dear Mommy letter it's on their web site www.adoptionhelp.org under "Eisenbrandt" This is a good place to go they have a newsletter you can read as well as helpful information.

Hi there me again. I made a mistake. I didn't want you to think that you had to go through two homestudies. You would only have to do that if you wanted to be considered for both domestic AND county adoptions.

Sadie and others,

It's me again. Yes, you do run the risk of health issues with ANY adopted child/children whether from the USA or foriegn countries. In the Ukraine, we had Ali's blood work done, and her checked out physically. We were going to adopt a boy a the same time. He was four years old. His blood work came back positive for hepititas. So we didn't bring him back with us. Although the our insurance had to cover him if we had adopted him. Cathy Harris on the Ukrainian Angels web site can help answer all your questions. She adopted seven children from the Ukraine. On her web site we are family #38. The blond women is not me but one of Ali's teachers in the Ukraine. Like I have said before, we adopted Ali seven years ago. I would adopt foreign country before the USA, which we had so much trouble in doing. One mother changed her mind, and the waiting list is long. It took only five months from the time of home study, going to the Ukraine for three weeks to "choose' a child (compared to USA and most other countries) to the time of getting back to USA. About $12,000 for everything. If you have any questions, please let me know.

wow 12,000! I thought International adoption was cheaper than domestic??? I'm so confused. We just received the domestic adoption packet yesterday. Everything looks great but it is VERY expensive. It all comes to about 25,000-30,000. My husband said that was a rip off. What do you ladies think? We can offer a child a beautiful life but I must say I can't imagine going into debt over this AND then the expense of raising a child when you get home. What are your thoughts on this? We do get 5000.00 from employee benefits which is nice. At this point, I do think it comes down to money for us. We may have to wait a year since we just moved into our new home (that's where all the money went). I'm a preschool teacher but am not working right now because we are focusing on starting a family, however God brings that to us...the rest is still unwritten! :)