Exploring Adoption with Clients: The Need for Adoption Education Within the Genetic Counseling Profession

Abstract

Genetic counselors and other health professionals may encounter adoption during any counseling session. They must be skilled in using appropriate language and understand how to approach and discuss this topic with clients. A thorough knowledge of adoption as an option for clients facing a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis is necessary when presenting individuals with non-biased information needed for informed decision-making. However, three preliminary studies have demonstrated an absence of graduate education and lack of a professional knowledge base regarding this option (Mates 2008; Oksala 2007; Perry 2003). We discuss the impact of medical professionals' preconceptions on client decision-making, increasing early identification of fetal anomalies, deficiency of adoption knowledge and resources, and the resulting need for genetic counselors and other health professionals to develop their skills in discussing adoption with clients.

Qualitative investigation of the factors that generate ambivalent feelings in women who give birth after receiving negative results from non-invasive prenatal testing

“…Genetic counselors themselves are concerned that talking to parents about Down syndrome during prenatal testing is likely to elicit fear among them. Overly optimistic or negative information from medical staff, who largely influence the parents' ultimate decision-making upon receiving positive NIPT results can also introduce a bias [17,18], similar to the genetic counselors themselves who lack the necessary skills and knowledge [3]. Perhaps, this is focused on avoiding any negative effects of providing information while assuming a positive NIPT result on the mental status of pregnant women, who seek emotional relief from undergoing the test.…”

Understanding Adoption as a Reproductive Justice Issue

“…However, a major challenge is that existing scholarship and clinical practice standards regarding members of the adoption triad are not only limited in scope, but also lack a reproductive justice perspective. Despite adoption's profound implications for psychological and medical health as well as reproductive decisionmaking, clinicians and researchers generally lack basic knowledge about adoption issues (Brodzinsky, 2013;Perry & Henry, 2010). Mental health practitioners, physicians, and nurses report receiving virtually no professional training on adoption (Brodzinsky, 2013;Foli et al, 2014;Henderson, 2002;Henry et al, 2006;Post, 2000;Wexler et al, 2022).…”

“…Many healthcare providers routinely provide information on abortion, adoption, and parenthood and counsel patients on pregnancy decisions (Committee on Ethics of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2015; Perry & Henry, 2010). However, most healthcare providers possess only a superficial understanding of adoption and may not be prepared to engage patients in a comprehensive discussion of adoption (Perry & Henry, 2010). Following the relinquishment of a child, many birth parents reported feeling "abandoned" by professional support and left to navigate the aftermath alone (Bell et al, 2021(Bell et al, , p. 2033.…”

“…Care should begin with birth parents’ process of considering and making decisions about relinquishing a child, through pregnancy and the perinatal period, and extending far beyond the finalization of the adoption (Foli et al, 2013; MacDougall, 1986). Many healthcare providers routinely provide information on abortion, adoption, and parenthood and counsel patients on pregnancy decisions (Committee on Ethics of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2015; Perry & Henry, 2010). However, most healthcare providers possess only a superficial understanding of adoption and may not be prepared to engage patients in a comprehensive discussion of adoption (Perry & Henry, 2010).…”

A Pregnancy Decision-Making Model: Psychological, Relational, and Cultural Factors Affecting Unintended Pregnancy

“…Myths about abortion have also been found to be related to anti-abortion attitudes (Kavanaugh et al, 2013). Similarly, myths or misinformation about childbirth, parenting, and adoption (Perry & Henry, 2010; Pugh, 2014) may also create barriers to freely making autonomous decisions. When pregnant people have been denied access to accurate information (either before or during pregnancy) they do not have the ability to make truly fully informed decisions.…”