[blessedgift]

I'm from Lindale, TX and currently waiting to be chosen by a birth mother.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about my rights as an adoptive parent with regards to vaccinations and shots etc. given immediately after birth. Will we have control even though the child hasn't technically been placed with us yet? We might not even be there, so what can we do, if anything, to ensure our wishes are met? -Katy

[BrandyHagz]

Katy,

There isn't a lot you can do, outside of building a relationship with the expectant parents prior to the birth and discussing the important issues before you match, so you know you're all on the same page.

In Texas, she has the right to make all medical decisions regarding the child, until she has signed the documents to terminate her parental rights - which will be after discharge.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give you is to make your wishes known - and if they are really important to you, be prepared to walk away from situations where you're not on the same page.

These types of decisions are ones that can be made and agreed upon during the match process - but keep in mind, until the expectant parents have terminated their parental rights, they do retain all of their parental rights and can make any decision they wish regarding the child, even if it's different from what you spoke about prior to the birth.

This is kind of what they mean when they say "match" - it's about finding a good fit where you're all on the same page as much as possible before the birth.

Good luck with your adoption