Personal stories about deciding whether to adopt

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

John and Margo, ages 43 and 42: We started trying to get pregnant a couple of years ago and had some infertility testing recently. At first, we got pretty wound up about trying in vitro fertilization, but have since decided that we want to put our savings toward adoption. After taking a few weeks to check out our options, we've applied to adopt a baby internationally. There are so many children out there waiting for parents!

Brenda, age 35: I don't have any plans to marry any time soon, but I'm yearning for a child. I've spent a long time thinking and planning, and I've gotten past the romantic ideas I first had about it. Single parenting will be tough, adoption costs a lot of money, and I'm having to wait longer than I'd anticipated. But I'm looking forward to it, as are my family and friends who will help me raise this child.

Sabrina and Jose, ages 48 and 50: We've raised our children and feel like we still have so much to give. We talked to our local public adoption agency at Social Services and learned that we can foster a child and hopefully later adopt. That feels right for us.

Catherine and Greg, age 28: We learned a couple of years ago that we both have infertility problems and are unlikely to ever get pregnant. We had to sit with that news for quite awhile, talked a lot, and then decided that we're going to say no to infertility treatment and adopt a child. We'd heard good things about a certain private agency and have had a good experience with finding a birth mother. The baby's due in April, and we'll be there for the birth.