Some questions regarding health of the adoptive parents and adoption

IS it true that most international and domestic agencies look at the adoptive parents health history?

If they do, if you are considered a "health risk" would they allow you to adopt?

If you already have a biological child and wanted to adopt with that be a strike against you as well?

Just trying to see what our odds are for adopting down the road. TIA.

Re: Some questions regarding health of the adoptive parents and adoption

yup! i haven't started the process yet, but i know thats true depending on the country you want to adopt from. its not so much the adoption agencies that set the rules, but the countries themselves.
we are looking into china, and i know they have specific health requirements, including weight ( the adoptive parents can't be over a certain body mass index/percentage of body fat). i think they also have you get health check up from your doctor for your heart, blood pressure,etc. its understandable becasue they want to make sure you are healthy enough to raise the baby. other countries aren't quite as "stict" though, it depends.
same with having bio children- it depends on the country. some don't mind, and some give first priority to couples who don't have bio kids.
the best thing would be to research the country you're interested in adopting from and find out what their "rules" are. good luck!!!

Re: Some questions regarding health of the adoptive parents and adoption

I think in some countries, preference is given to people who don't have a biological child already, but you still CAN adopt, you probably just won't be at the top of the waiting list.

As far as health, my DH is a long-time type 2 diabetic and the agency we've spoken with (we have a 2 yr old DS and have considered adoption in the future) said even with Korea (one of the toughest countries in terms of health requirements) he would probably be approved as long as his records and physical exam showed he was controlling it.

Re: Some questions regarding health of the adoptive parents and adoption

Actually many people who have biological children adopt without issue.
We have a biological daughter and had no issues adopting our son from Ethiopia. I also know of families with bio-children who have adopted from China and Russia.

Health risks...that all depends. If you currently had, for example, cancer, the agency would most likely not allow you to move forward. But if you are a cancer survivor with a good and long term prognosis than it should be okay..

My agency www.whfc.org has an chart with the requirements for each country and you can easily see which countries you qualify for.

Re: Some questions regarding health of the adoptive parents and adoption

Thanks for all the info ladies.