Hopeful adoptive parents are often faced with the difficult decision of whether to adopt a baby that has been exposed during pregnancy to alcohol or drugs – such as opiates, marijuana, prescription drugs or other drugs.
Adopting with prenatal alcohol & drug exposure is a hard topic but an extremely important one because drug and alcohol use (and abuse) is very common among expectant women who are considering adoption for their baby.
We know that prenatal alcohol and drug exposure can negatively affect a baby. Hopeful adoptive parents need to understand the risks and potential issues from prenatal exposure to these substances.
For anyone who is considering this type of an adoption situation, it is hard to really know how much exposure the baby had. Still, it is important to figure out and understand the risks involved.
Our special guest is Sarah Horton Bobo, the Director for Post Adoption Services for Bethany Christian Services, a national adoption agency.
Before coming to Bethany, she was a consultant for the State of Michigan for their Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders program. She has 20 years of experience working directly with families who had adopted children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol and drugs. She is so passionate about helping families learn more about this important issue.
I had a great conversation with Sarah. She provides facts and raises awareness about prenatal exposure, but she also gives us hope that we need to adopt these little ones. I know you will learn a lot from her in this episode.
You can connect with Sarah and the Bethany Post Adoption Contact Center at 1-866-309-7328 between 8am and 5pm Eastern. You can also send an email to BCSpostadopt@bethany.org.
LISTEN NOW – Just click the PLAY button below.
What you will learn about in this episode:
- Given the many substances that are being taken and often abused by expectant mothers, which should give us the most concern for the baby’s health?
- How likely is it that if an expectant mother admits to some substance use, she may have used additional substances? What does that mean for the baby’s health risk?
- How can we best prepare ourselves if faced with a decision about an adoption situation that involves prenatal exposure?
- Listen to some stories Sarah share about families who have adopted a baby who was affected by prenatal drug or alcohol exposure.
- AND MUCH MORE!
Links we talk about in this episode:
- Bethany.org/PACC – this is the Post Adoption Contact Center, which is staffed by licensed, adoption-competent professionals that provide support, education and referral assistance to anyone touched by adoption – free of charge.
- National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – NOFAS works to prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and other substances known to harm fetal development by raising awareness and supporting women before and during their pregnancy, and supports individuals, families, and communities living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) and other preventable intellectual/developmental disabilities. Check out their resource directory for help near where you live.
- Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – one of the leading groups helping families with training and webinars. They work to eliminate disability caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and improve the quality of life for those living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
- Deb Evensen – she has been working in the field of FASD education for over 30 years. She is affiliated with NOFAS and is a great advocate for children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol may have sustained brain injury that impacts their ability to learn and function at school, in their families, and in the community.
- Diane Malbin – she wrote a book that provides a readable, narrative discussion of the neurobehavioral approach for working effectively with children, adolescents and adults with FASD. After a brief review of the diagnosis, the focus is on understanding behaviors differently – primary and secondary learning and behavioral characteristics. One section explores the most common behavioral symptoms by providing case examples, interventions, and improved outcomes.
- InfantAdoptionGuide.com/iTunes – Subscribe to the show and get new episodes sent right to your phone or tablet?
- InfantAdoptionGuide.com/welcome – get my FREE adoption ebooks!
This episode is sponsored by BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES – they are a full service Christian non-profit adoption agency with locations in 36 states. They’ve been helping families adopt since 1944. They will help you create an adoption plan that is right for you and your family – and they’ll be there to support you every step of the way. To learn more, just click here: Bethany.org/InfantAdoptionGuide
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