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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 11:43:56
For about a year now, my husband and I have been considering adopting from China. We discussed it again the other night and I believe we're closer to making the jump to do it, but haven't started the process, yet.
Today, I found this article:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9400EFDC1031F933A15751C1A9609C8B63
Part of the new restrictions include those who are medicating for depression or anxiety. I'm currently taking Wellbutrin and feeling pretty good. I'm going to see my pdoc tonight, but the last time I saw her, we discussed the possiblity of trying my hand at being med-free. But...since I've felt good, I was going to tell her I want to stay on the Wellbutrin. Now what?
There are a lot of other new restrictions. It's sad to me that there are so many applicants waiting who will now be turned down.
Maybe the decision has been made for us? :-(
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 17, 2007, at 13:22:30
In reply to Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 11:43:56
I read somewhere as long as you get the paper work started BEFORE May 1 the new rules won't apply to you. Maybe you should just go for it now?
MB
Posted by happykat on January 17, 2007, at 13:47:53
In reply to Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 11:43:56
Hi All Done,
I heard about this recently too. Not good news. But I was encouraged by what Midnight Blue wrote about the new rules not taking effect until after May 1.
We've been considering IVF and adoption. Looks like I'm going to have to build a fire under my DH's behind.
Have you done alot of research on the adoption process in China?
Regards,
happykat :)
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 13:50:58
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies » All Done, posted by MidnightBlue on January 17, 2007, at 13:22:30
> I read somewhere as long as you get the paper work started BEFORE May 1 the new rules won't apply to you. Maybe you should just go for it now?
>
> MBI'm going to contact an agency to see what they think about submitting an application soon, but I'm not even sure how long the process is to get the application in. It might be over three months to do the background check and everything. And it looks like some agencies have already instituted the new policies.
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 13:51:42
In reply to Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 11:43:56
I just read that you can't have a current dx of depression or anxiety and you must be medication and treatment free for over two years.
Applicants can't be in a wheelchair, either. I'm kind of horrified by all the new restrictions and requirements. I think by reducing the pool of "qualified" candidates, they are losing some of the *most* qualified candidates if they're looking for good, loving homes.
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 13:55:42
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies » All Done, posted by happykat on January 17, 2007, at 13:47:53
> Hi All Done,
>
> I heard about this recently too. Not good news. But I was encouraged by what Midnight Blue wrote about the new rules not taking effect until after May 1.
>
> We've been considering IVF and adoption. Looks like I'm going to have to build a fire under my DH's behind.
>
> Have you done alot of research on the adoption process in China?
>
> Regards,
> happykat :)Hi, happykat.
I haven't done a ton of research on the process, yet. My friend's brother adopted a couple of years ago, but I believe some new agency rules have even been put into place since then. Mostly, it's just been talking with my husband to decide if it's what we really want to do.
My son is an IVF baby. :-)
Good luck to you and your husband!
Laurie
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 14:17:51
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 13:51:42
"Severe diseases that require permanent medical treatment or effect the normal life span (such as malignant tumors, lupus, liver disease, epilepsy, etc). Severe long term skin disease."
My husband has a kidney disease that is currently under control with diet and medication. I'm thinking we're going to have to look outside of China.
And "severe facial deformity".What does that mean? How could that affect one's ability to be a good mother or father?
Sorry, maybe I'm just ranting, now.
Posted by happykat on January 17, 2007, at 16:11:31
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 13:51:42
I agree. Their criteria seems a bit bizarre indeed! Especially the one regarding facial deformity????? I'm not sure I follow their thinking.
Regards,
HK
Posted by Phillipa on January 17, 2007, at 17:18:49
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies » All Done, posted by happykat on January 17, 2007, at 16:11:31
That makes no sense at all. Love Phillipa
Posted by AuntieMel on January 17, 2007, at 17:55:47
In reply to Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 11:43:56
Get your doc to prescribe you zyban instead. Then you can tell them you are trying to quit smoking.
Posted by Dinah on January 17, 2007, at 19:15:20
In reply to Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 11:43:56
I understand that Russia has also tightened their criteria. That's where a couple of couple friends of mine adopted.
However, the article also listed a number of countries that are not implementing such stringent requirements.
My parents got caught by the too old criteria way back when in the US, and adopted an older child. Is that a possibility?
It really is a shame. You can't foretell the future, and who knows what will happen to any perfectly healthy candidate.
Posted by Phillipa on January 17, 2007, at 19:30:18
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies » All Done, posted by AuntieMel on January 17, 2007, at 17:55:47
Great idea!!!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on January 17, 2007, at 19:45:45
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies » All Done, posted by AuntieMel on January 17, 2007, at 17:55:47
> Get your doc to prescribe you zyban instead. Then you can tell them you are trying to quit smoking.
I've heard that they are really strict, that you can't adopt if you're obese. I would guess they wouldn't let you adopt if you smoked.
Deneb*
Posted by All Done on January 18, 2007, at 16:58:50
In reply to Re: Chinese adoption policies, posted by All Done on January 17, 2007, at 14:17:51
We're still looking into the new policies to make sure we understand everything. And we're going to check other countries. And lastly, but most importantly, we're going to make sure whatever we do, it's the best decision for our family. Sigh. I don't know if it's just us, but how do so many people make the decision to have a second child, by whatever means? It's going to change the whole dynamic of our nice little family now. I'm sure it would be better in many ways, but there are drawbacks for us, too. We just can't seem to decide.
Anyway...I don't know if the Zyban thing would work since, while I haven't seen any restrictions against smokers, there can be no dx for depression or treatment for over two years. This stuff is already in my medical files with most - or all, actually - of my doctors. For over three years.
We definitely would consider adopting a slightly older child, Dinah, but maybe not over four and definitely not older than our son, who will be five in June. I have to do some reading to find out about attachment issues with older adopted children. I wonder if I'm way too sensitive to (or worried about) that and might not be able to handle it all that well myself.
I'm still feeling kind of frustrated and sad, but I really appreciate all of your responses. My husband and I have a lot of thinking to do.
Thanks, everyone!
This is the end of the thread.
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