[Marsha11]

Has anyone heard of a situation where a family learns they are pregnant just before they are set to travel? There is no pregnancy clause in the adoption paperwork with SWS and since the pregnancy will still be in the first trimester when traveling to Korea, is there a need to alert anyone? The family already has several Korean adoptees in it (cousin, aunt, one other sibling in the immediate family).

[Kizzz]

Wow. I haven't heard of that situation, but I'm sure it's happened.

There may not be a clause in the paperwork but it was made pretty clear to us when we first started the adoption process that we had to alert SWS if a pregnancy occured or if there were any other major life changes.

I understand the apprehension about notifying them, especially since you have the referal and you're waiting to travel. But then again you will have to deal with your agency until the adoption is finalized, and perhaps not telling them now will complicate matters later.

[Max'smom]

You should tell your agency. With ours (Holt), it was made very clear that you needed to tell them. They didn't want to place an adoptive child with a family that was expecting a new baby, due to the heavy demands infants place on a family. I believe that Holt makes it very clear that they expect 1 year between the arrival of any new child. But it sounds like your agency may not have this rule.

[racytracy]

They have to tell the agency. It's not like they won't figure it out--post-placement visits go on for several months after homecoming. People aren't stupid.

I do know of someone who got pregnant and lost their referral. It's unfortunate, but it's very clear that Korea requires a year between children joining the family.

To not tell the agency puts them in a tough spot, as their relationship with the Korean agency will be jeopardized. It's a no-win situation, but honesty is the best policy.