do you think that women who place for adoption should receive post-partum expenses?

Thank you, this is a fantastic question.

I had a c-section that left me with hanging skin, that I will hopefully correct with surgery within the next few years. For me it's not "cosmetic" surgery, it's been a psychological scar and reminder of a baby I relinquished. I also had to have surgery on both arms, so in less than 6 weeks, I had 3 surgeries and I really could have used some help. I had to go look for a job the week I got out of the hospital. All I had to wear was a maternity dress that fit. I could have used at least 2 decent outfits and for the kind of jobs I was looking for.

If Aparents can get paid maternity leave to "bond" with a child through adoption, wouldn't it make sense that a mother who has just relinquished a baby needs to have time to get back in shape? I would have liked to have gone into hiding for 6 - 12 weeks to get myself in at least good physical shape, because everyone can tell you had a baby and what the hell do you say? I hope no one wants to try to compare this to having a baby and then losing it through death, which is horrible. We don't have any support system. We don't have a community that grieves with us. We cry alone. We can't say "my baby died", and then have an outpouring of concern and sympathy. If we even mention that we relinquished a child we are bombarded with questions or disgust. Two completely different scenerios.

Two weeks after delivery? Maybe, possibly for a marathon runner in peak physical shape with an easier-than-normal delivery. Or a superhero. But in the real world, it takes two weeks before you're starting to move around without pain. Let alone a C-section delivery. Abdominal surgeries of any sort take a good six weeks recovery time. That's a LOT of muscle and tissue that get cut!

OKay, but to the question at hand, I have always believed in better support for any post-partum mother, regardless if adoption is in the picture. Other countries do that and the fact that the US has one of the highest infant moratality rates of any "first world" country speaks to the fact that we're doing something wrong.

As to adoption, I'm also not one hundred percent adoptive parents giving financial assistance to birthmothers because it does seem like buying a child, or putting the feeling of obligation on the part of the birthmother to follow through with the adoption, even if they are having second thoughts. I think that postpartum assistance falls into this same catagory. Certainly if the child's mother changes her mind and does not complete the adoption, the would-be adoptive parents shouldn't be obligated to pay for post-partum expenses.

I think that postpartum assistance should be provided by the government for all mothers. Leave adoption out of it.

In some ways similar, but there's a major difference. With Postpartum Depression, there is a huge hormonal component to the disorder following pregnancy, labour, and birth. It's not purely an emotional reaction-- there's an emotional component certainly, but there's a physical one too. The emotional part of Post-Adoption Depression can be similar-- the addition of the child to a home can be difficult either way, there's no way to know what it will feel like until you experience it, and it can be a tough transition when the fantasies turn into a hard reality. That can cause major psychological turmoil, and it shouldn't be dismissed or downplayed. It's hard, and it requires real treatment and therapy too. However, saying it's just the same ignores the hormonal and physical component of Postpartum Depression. The feelings may be similar, but it's not identical.

EVERY woman should be given at least eight weeks to recover emotionally and physically from child birth....however in the case of woman who are relinquishing children for adoption they should receive up to three months paid leave.

Complications can arise after the birth of a child your body does not care what the circumstances are......and neither should employers. It seems to be this should be a basic civil right....but alas it is not. YES I would absolutely support legislation and any woman who does not....Shame on you!!!

I think that we should have something. I was out of work for 6 weeks, I had my doctor sign my paperwork allowing back to work at 6 weeks even though I had a csection because I couldn't afford to be out of work any longer. There was a mistake in my paperwork and I didn't get a paycheck until 9 days AFTER I started back to work.

So besided the counseling that the aparents paid for as it is in the costs I had to ask for some assistance. I received less then 1000$ total. What help I received allowed me to get groceries, have my phone turned back on and to have my gas remain on.

All of this was after TPR was signed.

I hated to have to ask for this but I would not get help any other way as I "made too much money"

After having my daughter I also had to heal from:

The tearing and stitches

The hemorrhaging

Loss of blood

Inability to stand on my own

Massive pain when using the bathroom

Emotional problems

The natural repositioning of my hips (yes, they have to go back to pre-pregnancy position, it's not instant)

Breast pain

And I had a vaginal delivery, I can't even imagine the hell it would be for those who have a c-section. Some of the above healed in 2 weeks while many things effected me as long as 6 months.

I didn't ask the adoptive parents to help, but they did anyways and I'm thankful now that they did because doing it without any help would have been hell.

Two weeks to recover?????? Obviously, this woman has never pushed out something the size of a watermelon thru something the size of a quarter...or had her stomach sliced open thru muscles, tendons, organs.....Holy crap, the ignorance of some friggin people. Both my oldest and youngest were born c-sections and all I remember really is the fact that I could barely move for several weeks.

If a woman goes thru with the adoption plan she should recieve after-placement counseling and some financial help during recovery time (at least 6 weeks worth). Tho, I do not think the $$$ should come from the AP's because it almost makes it look like the woman sold her child. Yes, she most certainly needs something to help her out, but where that money comes from is rather iffy.

I would think that these women would still be able to get FMLA or disability while they are recovering. How would anyone know they gave the child up for adoption anyway. There is still medical records, and a birth certificate that states they gave birth, so why wouldn't they get FMLA?

Yes, definitely. I feel that adoptive mothers should be able to get financial assistance to take at least a 6 week maternity leave. Also they should get help with counseling and support for as long as they need it.

I think adoption agencies make so much profit from adoption - that they should be the one's to cover such expenses.

They make the profit - they should be helping out these mothers.

Sadly - too many want the baby - and run when the ink is dry on the paper.

I do also agree that it could be coercive.

Here in Australia - NO adoption plans are made prior to birth.

Therefore the mother is given all kinds of post-birth services and financial help as do all women in Australia.

They also receive emotional help in coming to terms with what lays ahead - helping them to parent first and foremost - instead of just trying to grab their baby.

It's disgusting - in my opinion - that women are treated so badly in the US.

It's cruel - and it's wrong.