“Can We See Photos of Birth Parents?”

by | Jan 31, 2018 | Adoptive Families Blog

Couple looking for photos of birth parentsWe wanted to share with you an adoption question that we get frequently asked. Many eager adoptive parents have asked this question in the beginning stages of their adoption research.

Chances are, you’ve wondered this exact thing!

“I’d like to see photos of the birth parents before I agree to the adoption. During the adoption process with Lifetime, will we be sent photos? My spouse and I hope to adopt a child who will easily blend into our family because we don’t want it to be obvious that they’re adopted.”

Very few birth parents provide Lifetime with photos of themselves. It puts a lot of pressure on a birth mother to request photos. Lifetime doesn’t wish for the women we’re working with to feel like they’re being judged on their looks alone. A birth mother might feel like her baby is being rejected if an adoptive family turned down the adoption based on appearances. When a birth mother shows interest in you, Lifetime Adoption will let you know the basic information we’ve gathered from her. This includes things such as whether she used substances during her pregnancy, the race of her baby, and her hopes for future contact.

As you match and develop a relationship with the birth mother, Lifetime can then ask for photos later on. As she gets to know you and trust you, she’ll be open to sharing more with you. We really want for her to feel that you’re here for her and her child!

We’ve heard from some adoptive couples who feel it’s unfair that birth mothers can see their photos, but they can’t see hers. We encourage you to hold a positive outlook on the possibility of a match. After all, it’s wonderful to have information on the birth mother. What’s more, you’ll be parents soon! It’s necessary to have confidence in the method you’ve chosen for expanding your family. Adoption is a positive, loving choice.

Get info about domestic infant adoption from Mardie Caldwell by following 
our Adoption Tips playlist on YouTube.

Heather Featherston

Written by Heather Featherston

As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.

Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.

As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.

Read more about Heather Featherston

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