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Israel recognizes only Orthodox conversions as valid.

However, the possibility of choosing to make aliyah is a long way off for your child-to-be. You don't know what he/she will decide when he/she is old enough to choose Israel or the U.S.

If you are not Orthodox, it probably makes sense to consider a non-Orthodox conversion. In fact, some American Orthodox rabbis will not convert a child who is not going to be raised in an Orthodox home.

Nowadays, there are Conservative congregations that have Kosher mikvaot. Most Conservative mikvaot welcome all members of the Jewish community.

My daughter was converted in a mikvah attached to a Conservative synagogue in Washington, DC. The mikvah, itself, was built in the traditional manner, and the ceremony was traditional; however, I had female Conservative and Reform rabbis as witnesses. I subsequently had a naming ceremony for Becca in our Reform synagogue and sponsored the Oneg Shabbat afterwards.

In case you adopt a son, you should know that there are also Conservative and Reform mohelim (and mohelot, in some cases). Most are physicians. This benefits adoptive families whose children come home well after birth, and require a brit milah done in a hospital; the mohel has hospital privileges and can do both the medical and the religious aspects of the circumcision in the operating room.

Sharon