[meesh38]

We've been looking into internation adoption and I'm concerned about the medical exam/dr's letter. What exactly does that entail? The thing that worries me is that a few months ago my Dr convined me to go on Lexapro for mild anxiety. She really pushed for me to just try it, no big deal, etc so I did but I didn't like the side effects so I only took it for a couple months. She also put in my chart "Generalized Anxiety Disorder". Great. I feel like that just screwed me when it comes to IA.

So, is it just a generic letter that the doctor has to write "so and so has a normal life expectancy, etc." or do they have to list everything you have been diagnosed with?

Does it matter what type of doctor does the exam? I was thinking, maybe I could get my OB/GYN to do the letter? He is the one who manages my blood pressure so I have seen him a few times in the last two years. He has nothing in his record of anxiety.

Thanks for any help.

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

These vary by country and change over time. For Bulgaria, it was very general. I would assume most countries would have to do blood tests for Aids.

Once you have chosen a country, talk to your doctor about this and she what she says. Also, talk to your agency and see if it is a big geal. The idea of having your OB/GYN do it could be a good back up.


Based upon the tests and examinations I have performed on ……………[name], my conclusions are that he/she is in excellent health.
……………. [name] has a normal life expectancy is in a good physical and psychological health.

....... [name] does not suffer of any grave chronic conditions or contagious venereal diseases, Hepatitis, AIDS, tuberculosis, and other life threatening diseases.

I am convinced that ………………. [name would make an excellent adoptive parent. and I believe that he/she is capable of raising and loving a child. I am convinced that ............ [name] will cope with the adoption in the most reliable way.

[jessibird]

Our was for China and we had to go in for a routine physical and then had to have a blood work up. They tested for Heb. B, AIDS etc. The doc had to do a checklist of medical conditions like sergeries, tumors, etc. He also had to list any medications or medical conditions the doctor was monitoring. I know in our packet it said if there was a medical condition, the doc would have to write a letter stating the nature of it and that the applicant was still ok to adopt.
I know I thought that I should have had my OB do mine, since we had just switched family docs and I had never been to this one before.

[sak9645]

You will usually require two medical reports, one for your homestudy and one for your dossier. You can see the doctor once, but he/she will need to complete two forms.

As far as the form for your homestudy, the content will be mandated by your state and your homestudy agency's policy. There will probably be some checkoff boxes, plus an area for the doctor to indicate whether you are likely to have a normal lifespan and he/she sees any other barriers to adoption. Very few homestudy agencies will have a problem with treatment for anxiety or depression, as long as there is no history of suicide attempts or inpatient therapy. Most social workers would rather see a person get help than go through life anxious and depressed, and feel strongly that therapy or medication can make a person a BETTER parent.

Each foreign country has its own medical form and its own requirements. With some countries, the medical form is very basic. There will be some required medical tests -- for example, an HIV test or a TB test. There will be some checkoff boxes for conditions like cancer. There may be some questions about substance abuse. And there may be a place where the doctor indicates whether you are fit enough to meet the challenges of parenthood and are likely to have a normal lifespan.

Other countries are more strict, and want more tests and more statements about whether or not you have had certain medical conditions. China has become quite strict lately. It is concerned not only about the usual issues, but about obesity, medication for anxiety or depression, etc.

Your best bet is to do some research about the medical requirements of any country from which you might want to adopt. There may be some countries that simply won't accept you, even though you are healthy and likely to have a normal lifespan. On the other hand, there are probably plenty that will.

Sharon