For hopeful mothers, adoption is the answer to the many years they spent struggling to build a family. For women facing unplanned pregnancy, it’s an opportunity to give their child the life he or she deserves, one full of love. But what happens post-adoption? This inquiry isn’t talked about enough. It’s not uncommon for both birth and adoptive mothers to suffer from mood disorders after the adoption process has been completed. Even when adoption is the right path for an expectant mother, there are challenges — including adoption-related depression. Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to lend a helping hand by breaking down postpartum and post-adoption mood disorders. We even have insight to the minds of both birth and adoptive mothers during this time.
BIRTH MOTHERS AND POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS
Why would she feel sad when she’s the one who decided to place her child with an adoptive family? This is a question birth mothers are asked too often. Placing a child for adoption is one of the most emotionally challenging things a mother can do. Oftentimes, the birth mother is making a necessary sacrifice for the betterment of her child. It’s an act of love, not selfishness.
During the adoption process and after placement, it’s common for birth mothers to experience postpartum mood disorders, often caused by a combination of physical and emotional factors, including changes in hormone levels after childbirth. Here’s a list of symptoms and emotions birth mothers often describe feeling postpartum:
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
PPD is a complex mix of behavioral, physical, and emotional changes that birth mothers experience after giving birth. It’s a form of depression that can occur anytime within four weeks after delivery. Symptoms of PPD include hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, sleep and eating problems, and an inability to feel good or be comforted. This form of depression is often linked to hormonal changes in the birth mother’s body.
Grief
Although many people view the loss of a child as the most traumatic event one can experience, they may not accord birth parents an appropriate level of sympathy because the loss is viewed as a “choice.” During this period of grief, many circumstances can have an impact on the birth mother’s feelings, including the following: mixed feelings about the adoptive placement, support or lack thereof from family members and the birth father, and whether or not the adoption is open.
Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis occurs in a very small percentage of women, with diagnosis befalling in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 deliveries. It is considered a medical emergency with patients exhibiting symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, insomnia, agitation, and bizarre feelings and behavior. The onset is usually sudden, most often within the first 2 weeks postpartum.
Guilt
Birth mothers may experience guilt for having placed their children for adoption. Most times, this is due to the social stigma that society associates with adoption. This view of adoption prompts feelings of shame in birth mothers for “rejecting” their children, no matter how thoughtful the decision or circumstance of the adoption. Even when birth mothers feel certain that adoption is the right thing to do, it remains a difficult and emotional process, one that may affect them for many years down the road.
The emotional impact of placing a child for adoption can be enormous, and extend well beyond the initial postpartum period. No amount of logic can fully address the emotional pain of giving up a child to be raised by someone else.
ADOPTIVE MOTHERS AND POST-ADOPTION DEPRESSION SYNDROME
Despite the anticipation of motherhood, some adoptive mothers are surprised to find themselves facing feelings of sadness when they bring their new child home. Becoming a parent — often on short notice — can be stressful, which is why some adoptive mothers experience Post-Adoption Depression Syndrome (PADS). PADS is shown though symptoms of depression in the adoptive mother, generally seen from one month after adoption. Symptoms can be emotional, mental, physical and behavioral; they include the following:
- Feelings of motherly inadequacy
- Diminished interest or pleasure in activities
- Significant weight loss or weight gain, increase or decrease in appetite
- Depression
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
- Suicidal thoughts or ideation
PADS symptoms are similar to those of postpartum depression in birth mothers. Postpartum depression, however, involves hormonal changes in pregnant women, which are not present in women suffering from post-adoption depression.
Common Risk Factors That Lead To PADS
Adoptive mothers place a lot of pressure on themselves, which leads to extra stress and unrealistic expectations. These emotions become feelings of shame and guilt if the mother feels she can’t live up to her idealized view of parenthood. This pressure, combined with the fact that many adoptive parents do not form an immediate bond with their child, creates a recipe for depression. Here is a list of common risk factors that lead to PADS:
Skepticism
Adoptive mothers often face cynicism from family members, friends, and even strangers regarding their decision to adopt. This level of accusation may plant a seed of doubt in the mother’s mind and leave them feeling less confident in their abilities as a mother.
New Territory
Becoming a parent is commonly portrayed as a joyous life event. The reality is often very different. It’s difficult! Yes, motherhood is a beautiful thing, but it can be overwhelming. This feeling of playing “catch up” can lead to adoptive mothers withdrawing from their everyday lifestyles. Just like “Baby Blues” after birth, adoptive parents may feel some depression because of the heightened stress of parenthood.
Unmet Ideals of Parenthood
Most adoptive mothers wait a significant amount of time before a child is placed in their home. Leading up to the moment they’re able to take their children home, adoptive mothers form an ideal version of parenthood. If they feel they’re unable to meet the standards they’ve set for themselves, a wave of inadequacy can overcome them.
Difficulty Bonding with Adopted Child
Some adoptive mothers don’t anticipate that bonding with their new children can be a struggle. Not all mothers bond with their new baby immediately. Often times, this lack of mother-child connection, combined with the added pressures of parenthood, creates a recipe for depression.
Having a baby changes everything. This is cliché – but true – advice. There’s a difference between knowing and doing, and even adoptive mothers who are prepared and eager to have a child can easily find themselves overwhelmed during the transition.
Ask For Help
Both adoptive and birth moms can slide from the initial euphoria of becoming a mom into depression once the reality of being a parent sinks in. This isn’t to say that motherhood is without its upsides. But postpartum and post-adoption mood disorders have a way of catching mothers off-guard.
Adoption Choices of Colorado doesn’t want you to suffer alone. All mothers should be able to see motherhood for what it truly is: momentous. Let us help you navigate post-adoption!
Adoption Choices of Colorado
For more information on adoption please contact Adoption Choices of Colorado. We can reached via our website or phone 303-670-4401.
Support Adoption Choices
Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.
However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.
About the Author
Patience Bramlett, a University of Southern Mississippi news editorial graduate, is a seasoned and award-winning freelance writer. She is also a passionate reader, whose only wish is to live life without fear of the unknown. Her motivation and inspiration to live her best life stems from the words of John Lennon:
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
This year, she’s joining Adoption Choices Inc. as an Editorial Intern. Fueled by her love of family, she hopes to educate those looking to grow their families through adoption.
When Patience is not exploring Colorado with her husband, she’s drinking coffee, forever figuring out how to tame her hair, growing her library, and trying to break into the publishing career.
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Bibliography
“Can Adoptive Parents Get the ‘Baby Blues’ Too?” Show Hope, 20 Jan. 2016, showhope.org/2016/01/20/can-adoptive-parents-get-the-baby-blues-too/.
Carberg, Jenna. “Postpartum Depression in Adoptive Parents – Post-Adoption Depression.” PostpartumDepression.org, 3 May 2019, www.postpartumdepression.org/postpartum-depression/adoption/.
“Impact of Adoption on Birth Parents: Responding to the Adoptive Placement.” Adoption.com, adoption.com/wiki/Impact_of_Adoption_on_Birth_Parents: Responding_to_the_Adoptive_Placement.
OBOS Pregnancy and Birth Contributors. “Postpartum Mood Disorders.” Our Bodies Ourselves, 15 Oct. 2011, www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book-excerpts/health-article/postpartum-mood-disorders/.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!