[hunterfamily]

We are picking up Olivia next week and there is a chance we may get to meet the birth mother. We where asked on our visit trip if we wanted to meet her. Of coarse we said yes. They are going to see if she can make it during our pick up trip. Anyone else met the birth mother? I know it is not a common thing with guatemalan adoptions.

[JLlewD]

WOW! That would be amazing!
I have never heard of anyone meeting the birthmom.
Have a wonderful p/u and I hope
that all goes as planned and you get to
meet Olivia's birthmom!

[RyannB]

We want to, on pick-up, if possible.

I am scared about it, though. What do you say?

[hunterfamily]

I'm not sure what to say either. We did get her a picture frame with Olivia's birth name(Maria Fernanda) and her date of birth engraved on it. It has a picture from our visit trip in it. What do you say to someone who is giving you their child?

[WVUMom418]

We were lucky enough to meet Mia's birthmother on our pickup trip and it was a wonderful experience. We spent the first 20 minutes without Mia in the room so that we could talk then Mia was brought in and we let the birthmother hold her for awhile. We were able to ask her what she would want us to tell Mia about her in the future.

The interesting thing is that we also realized that the social worker report that we received with all our paperwork had quite a few inaccuracies in it.

Here is a picture for that wonderful visit (we also got to meet Mia's bio grandmother and brother).

[LMG]

We just brought our son home 2 days ago and we were able to meet his birth mother on our last day. I feel priviledged to have met her and although I felt very sad for her it gave me (and her, I believe) a great sense of peace about how Eli came to be our son. We took some photos with her and Eli together and she kept trying to hold him but Eli wouln't let her and he was clinging to me the whole time. She just smiled and said that she could tell that we loved him alot and she was glad he was going home with us. I will always treasure that visit with her and will be able to tell Eli about her someday.

[annaguat]

We did with 4 of our six adoptions. With this last adoption the attorney did not like it. I would really encourage it is you can. Besure to get lots of pictures of her if possible. Also you might want to make a small album of pictures from the baby that you can leave with her. Anna

[Guatemomtobe]

What a wonderful gift for your daughter in the future to have you say that you met her birthmother and be able to share that experience with her.

Our daughters were born on the same day and have the same given birth names. Hopefully my little girl will be home soon too!

Have a great trip!
Susan

[csw]

Hi
I met our son's birthmother twice..and even 15 years later I still send photo's at Christmas time..

I asked to meet our daughters birthmother and was told she wanted to meet me as well..then, as usual, our agency never followed up with it..
I send the foster mother photo's hoping she shows them to the birthmother..they live around the block from each other..

[lil'bean]

We also met my son's wonderful birth mother, it was a privilege & a gift that we will treasure forever and that we can also tell / share w/ our lil guy someday.

We too were nervous about it, but it was amazing - he did cling to us but I have pictures of her holding him & crying as she said her goodbyes, it was a priceless moment that we also got on tape!!! : )

I would highly recommend anyone to ask to meet them although I know it is seldom!!!!

[OkieDokie]

We really wanted to meet our daughter's birthmom, but the lawyer said she was difficult to deal with and would not advise it.

[Princesa's Mama]

We met our DD's birth mom in Guatemala during our visit trip. She came along when we gave Sarah back to her foster mom. Her foster mother was her birth grandma! We found out that her birth mom had nursed her for 2 months and could tell that Sarah was getting a lot of loving care by her grandma. Although it was difficult to leave Sarah in Guatemala, meeting her birth family and knowing she was with them made it easier. We cried for them, knowing how hard this must be for them. Her birth mom also came along to give her precious daughter to us. We have pictures of the whole event--the tears, smiles, etc. We are glad that we can tell Sarah, as well as show her from the pictures, how much she was and is loved by her birth family. I send two sets of pictures when I send pictures to Guatemala--one set for her birth grandma and one for her birth mom.

We also met and still get together with our DS's birth family. He is Guatemalan but was born in the USA, so we are able to see them quite often and send pictures more often too. The last time we got together with Sam's birthfamily, this past August, his birth grandma was able to see him. She had not seen him since he was a month old because she was unable to come to the visit last Feb. She squealed with delight at seeing him and could not get enough of hugging him, kissing him and seeing and hearing about what he could do and say.

I have been told by other adoptive families that it is easier for your child if they know their birth familiy than if they have little or no info., so I am extremely thankful that both my children have the ability to maintain contact with their birthfamilies. I realize that it is not always possible or desired by the birth mom to maintain contact. I hope it works out for you.

[Dawn080688]

We also had a chance to meet Cole's birthmother and I am so glad we did. I was nice to see her and say thank you for the blessing that she gave us. She told us about her family. My husband reminder her of her uncle.

If you do meet the birthmother just be prepared that it's very emotional.

[akasohappy]

We told our agency that we would like to meet our child's birthmom, but they said that they do not recommend it. We have asked multiple times, but the best answer we got was to wait until we are out of PGN and then try to arrange it. If we ever get out of PGN we will definitely try to arrange to meet her.
I think that it would be wonderful for all of us.
I think our daughter would cherish those photos when she got older.

[2bASingleMom]

I too met my sons birthmom. Like others have said, it was quite peaceful. It is odd to say, but it really was. She really wanted to know that he was being cared for and I liked having that connection. She held him and I took pictures of them together and I gave her pictures of our family. It was sad for her (and obviously hard for me to see), but I don't think that either of us would change it for the world. I do send her pictures every year at Christmas. Good luck! Don't worry. Your stomach will be in knots up until you meet, but all will go well!!