[buyermel]

Does anyone have advice on what questions you should ask when reviewing your referral for the first time?

I am hoping to have one soon and I know I will be so excited that I want to prepare ahead of time.

Thanks!

[Shoshana]

When I received the call on 9/19 telling me Marielena had been born, the only information they had was her birthdate (9/17). They said I'd need to make the decision in one week.

When I called back in a few days, they'd received a picture, her weight (7 pounds, 19 3/4"!) etc. the birth registry (with birth mother's name and town), the doctor's report that she was healthy and nothing further. So there weren't many questions I could have asked about the baby. The questions that were important to me had to do with my concern about the process in Guatemala. I asked a lot of questions about the attorney, and their interpretation of the current situation.

I guess the next batch of paperwork on the baby will come when the birth mother has her social worker interview. They said that there would be very little if any medical history in that report. I did ask the agency to find out if the birth mother would write the baby a letter, and if she'd like to receive pictures. As an adoptee, it's really important to me to be able to give the child information about her birth family, and to help her find them if she chooses. I was a little surprised, pleasantly, to hear that they'd find out for me.

Here's hoping for a quick referral for you!

[becky]

Just an FYI...you won't receive that social worker report until the end of your adoption. Even though it will be done sooner...it is the standard practice for your attorney to give you copies of all adoption paperwork at the end of the adoption...that's when you will be able to read the report...which may not be in great detail...but should give your additional information about the birth family.

Good luck to you both...I hope your adoptions are quick and easy!!