Northern California Babies

It's difficult to get ready for something that might not happen

ETA: I am apparently incapable of just writing a small/short update.

So, a small update on our adoption saga:

Right now the agency doesn't consider us "matched". The potential birthmom has only checked in with them once, and it was just a 10 minute call (not long enough for them to do a full "intake", but enough to get them started).  The social worker said she was going to send an e-mail to her with a doctor's release so they can get verification of her pregnancy. I don't know if that's been returned back yet. We're feeling  a time-crunch because she says she thinks she's having the baby next week. But, we don't know what sort of medical expenses she'll need, or really any of the other expenses. Unfortunately, that could be what stops us from pursuing this... Right now she doesn't have insurance, but is trying to get on her dh's insurance. No sure how feasible that is. She told our agency that she has a payment plan worked out with the hospital to just be charged $4,800 for l&d, but I don't know how realistic that actually is. The social worker thought it sounded awfully low.

So, in the meantime, just based on her conversation & texts to us, we're operating under the assumption that we might be buying a last minute plane ticket across the country and be gone for 2 weeks or more (there's a waiting period when adopting between two states), and at the same time figuring that we're not going anywhere, based on our agency's update as of right now.

Oh, plus, she's planning on giving birth in a state that is across the border from her, which may mean even more complications, since now we'd have three states to deal with legally. I sent the question to all the adoption lawyers in her region about which laws we'd need to adhere to, and every answer I've gotten contradicts the one before it.

So, I'm doing all my Christmas shopping this weekend. We organized the nursery, sort of, (but really it was just an excuse to make my mil clear up all her crap since she's been using that room as her personal storage closet since February). My dh is trying to do just in case sub-plans (which are a pain in the butt and take hours), and I've been working longer hours to finish up a project that no one in my office is wanting to touch... and then we just wait to see what happens.

Oh, here are the latest red-flags according to our agency:

1. Most pg ladies this close to their due date are anxious to speak with the agency and get everything tidied up. Not her. She made time for a quick phone call after a week and a half of contacting us. This is odd to them, and may signify that she's not committed to adoption or to us.

2.  I don't think I got the full-story, but according to the person who spoke to her at the agency (whom I have never spoken to), she couldn't think of our names. Now, our names are unusual, but we've been in contact just about every day... I don't know if she didn't know our first names, or couldn't think of how to pronounce them, or just forgot altogether. This is a red-flag to the agency because thy wonder if she's engaging other couples and can't keep it all straight, or she just blanked or what... Right after she talked to the agency she texted me to get the  "correct spellings of our names" - which could be a polite way of saying who are you people??

3. The agency can't go any further until they talk with her dh. He is 100% as responsible as she is for agreeing to the adoption. 

I'll keep you updated if I know anymore. 

Re: It's difficult to get ready for something that might not happen

  • Oh, M. I hope you will be off this roller coaster soon. Continued prayers, dust, whatever I can give to help you get through this.
  • Loading the player...
  • Yikes this sounds awfully fishy to me. I can't understand how she could be about to give birth and has not yet gotten on her DH's insurance if that possibility exists. And why is she going to another state? I wonder if he doesn't know she is pregnant. And the whole "forgot the names" thing also reeks. 

    I'm sorry this is such a difficult process. I really pray your baby comes home to you soon.  

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • As if the TTC wasn't hard enough, the adoption process is JUST as emotional if not more so.  I'm sorry.  I don't understand how "they" can put good people through such a night-mare-ish roller coaster.

    Huge hugs!

     

    Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
    imageimage
    imageimage
    image
  • I hope it's for real, but it sounds so fishy to me too.  It's really horrible how many women scam people hoping for a baby.  The first red flag to me is that she's on the other side of the country.  There have to be tons of local families looking to adopt, why did she reach her search all the way to CA? On the other hand, there are a lot of seriously flaky people in the world.  It is possible that she can't remember your names, has no insurance, and is delivering across state lines, especially in the DC area -- not much different than someone who lives in SF delivering in Mill Valley.  
  • This all sounds sooo hard.  Hang in there!  I'm thinking about you and really really hoping you can adopt soon!!
    My Scrapbooking Blog: www.noeyspaper.blogspot.com BabyFruit Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Wow what a roller coaster indeed! I love the long updates so don't worry about keeping them short. I really hope things end up working out and BM isn't stringing you along. I know your baby is out there somewhere, M. I pray this is him/her and the rest of the journey goes smoothly.
  • Are you on any of the adoption forums?  I just did a few searches and it looks like a lot of potential families do serious networking to get the word out about various scam artists.  Maybe someone has run into this woman before.  I hope not.  I hope she's for real.  Be forewarned that the scam stories are really terrible.
  • *hugs* M  what a rollercoaster. Wishing the best for you. You've been on my mind a lot and I will continue to think good thoughts for you.
    Greyson Ray ~ July 31 2006 | WinterRose Elizabeth ~ April 28th 2010 Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    The Blog | BirthbyKellyM
  • OMG...what a roller coaster.

    I hope everything works out for you. I am still thinking of you guys and sending TONS of prayers, thoughts, dust, etc. to you guys.

    Enjoy your Christmas shopping. 

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Thinking about you and wishing you and your DH nothing but good things.

    I would be a little leary too.

    imageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker Angel Baby - 5/22/2010 @ 13 weeks. Always in our hearts.
  • Continued positive thoughts are coming your way!
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I have been thinking about you guys a lot, and hoping that this one is the real deal for you. Hopefully the birth mom gets it together soon. ((((hugs))))
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • *hugs* I can't fathom what you guys are feeling or going through. I hope for the best for you and your husband.

     

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Hugs M!  I'm praying for you all.

  • I am not sure about the DC area, I know it is close to other states.  It does still sound strange to forget  your names if she picked out you and I as the potential parents?

    I am not sure what else to say, I hope your dreams come true very soon.  Sending you lots of dust to get through. 

  • Thinking positive thoughts for you all! Thank you for the update!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • FWIW, I don't think delivering in another state is weird at all when you're in the DC area.  There's DC, Maryland, and Virginia all nearby.  Like Celyn said, it's like living in Mill Valley and delivering in San Francisco - not weird at all.  It could be as simple as living in Virginia, working in DC, and having your doctor/hospital in Maryland.
  • Wow, that is a lot! I hope you get answers soon and all of this extra trouble isn't for nothing.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • imageCelyn:
    I hope it's for real, but it sounds so fishy to me too.  It's really horrible how many women scam people hoping for a baby.  The first red flag to me is that she's on the other side of the country.  There have to be tons of local families looking to adopt, why did she reach her search all the way to CA? On the other hand, there are a lot of seriously flaky people in the world.  It is possible that she can't remember your names, has no insurance, and is delivering across state lines, especially in the DC area -- not much different than someone who lives in SF delivering in Mill Valley.  

    I hope she isn't scamming you. I agree with Celyn, I live in MV and will be delivering in SF due to what DH and I believe are better hospitals. It could be as simple as that.

    Also, she may not want someone local adopting her child due to her other children, friends and family or even running into the baby later on so easily. Also, to a lot of people CA is still the land of opportunity and amazing standards of living. We, living here, know this is only half the truth, but we do have it pretty good. 

    This is, of course, from the eternal optimist, who is wishing and hoping all the best.  

    Lilypie First Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • M, I'm really thankful for your updates as they keep us in the loop. I agree that the situation sounds fishy, but it's so hard to know what's really going on. I've been and will continue to send you positive thoughts, love and strength.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • It's funny, we weren't reading the red flags as quite as seriously as you all are... this is good, it makes me take a step back. Honestly, maybe we're the most gullible people in the world, but after talking with her, we really don't see what her angle would be. I mean, most people scamming come up with a better story that they just can't handle one more child. Usually it's a real sob story, and that's not what she's told us. But, I do have concerns that she isn't taking it all very seriously, and if we don't get answers from her (via the agency), then we won't go any further. Hopefully they'll talk to her more tomorrow!
  • Oh, and geographically speaking, yep, she's in the Wash DC area, within easy access to VA, MD and DC. So it's not too weird that she's going to a hospital in a different state, though it does complicate things, I think.
  • Everyone else said my thoughts, but I wanted to give my support and hugs too.  Thinking of you!
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
  • T&P's and hugs to you M.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I'm so sorry you're feeling so "up in the air" in regards to this situation. You are so strong and I know everything will work out for you and your DH. If you need anything, please let me know. Keep us updated.
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"