[PasoJen]

My husband and I finally made the decision to adopt and I was so excited to find a baby from the Ukraine. My great-grandfather was Ukrainian and it just seemed like it would be a good match. However, I keep getting mixed messages about adopting from Ukraine. Agency websites make it sound feasible but there are also posts that indicate it is hard to find a match. I would like to adopt a baby, 1 year old or younger. I do not mind traveling there and chosing our own baby. However, I am starting to get the impression that healthy infants are not available in the Ukraine. Can anyone help me sort this out? Do I need to consider another country? Thanks.

[canthardlywait]

My husband and I are just starting to pursue a Ukrainian adoption as well.
We have checked with several agencies and with independent "agencies"
and have been advised that the youngest children that can be adopted are 18 months but most children needing families are in the 3-4 yr age range and older; Many sibling groups available as well.

I was advised it also depends on what you would deem as healthy; for example some people dont view a child as healthy if they have lactose intolerance or a crossed eye( personally this is something we would consider healthy). HOWEVER, we were also advised that there are many children that do have more serious health issues.

I think a good agency will not make any promises but be up front and honest about each country you are interested in and the children available. We started researching with a set age range in mind ( up to 1 yr) and we were introduced to Kazakhstan or Russia, but after further research, cost and time in country, we decided to go with Ukraine( our original choice).

We are hoping to bring a son home up to 4 yrs old.

[Mykidsmom]

Hi,

If your head and your heart are leading you to Ukraine that is probably where you are meant to go. We finalized our Ukrainian adoption years ago (2001) and none of the rules are the same but our Ukrainian Kiddo is happy and healthy.

[Laurie Burney]

We have heard from our agency in Toronto, ON that the healthiest babies are available when you go through an agency rather than going independently....you cannot adopt any infant under the age of 12 months in the Ukriane unless you are an Ukrainian living there...

[wwjdmelissa]

We know of someone in Ukraine right now adopting and the youngest child she was able to find was a 22month old little girl. I don't understand why there aren't more children available younger than 2 since Ukraine adoptions have been closed for so many months. When we adopted the youngest we found was 20 months old and she has PKU so that's probably why she was still available. If you really have your heart on a baby, which I can totally understand, I wouldn't go to Ukraine. I know Guatemala or China will have lots of babies to choose from.
Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

[PasoJen]

Thanks for the responses. I have officially decided to go to Kazakhstan and am excited about getting started.