[Anne5]

What we did first was to discuss the age we wanted... then it was the research phase. I called every agency and every possible place I could talk to get references to more agency that would be open to us for adopting an infant. I was surprised that there are many here in our state that work with bmothers although this doesn't guarantee a healthy infant you can talk to the agency about not wanting a child that has severe impairment... the caveat is if you are working with a bmother and she has had good prenatal care are you willing to take the chance that maybe the tests and sonagrams have missed something. This is the same risk a woman takes when carrying her own child so it's important to think about it. There are no guarantees. But we are looking at getting as healthy a child as we can and willing to take that risk. (although don't let me jump ahead here we are still in the phase for getting a home study done).

As for the fees... there are ways to get financial help with adoptions. And I'm here to tell you that we are only going to be paying over 10k for our services (and I've heard we could have done it less expensive if we had pursued a homestudy through our county and taken after adoption services through the county as well) and this agency works with bmoms who are educated and healthy more than not. Don't let anyone tell you you cannot find adoption services reasonably... go and find out what is available in your state, city, county. You don't have to go through the agency for all services. Check it all out before you get going on a homestudy.
Ask questions of others who may have financed their adoption and how they did it.

Good luck and Godspeed!