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Hi to the List,
I used to be active on this board: I adopted a girl from Russia in Oct. 2006.
We have been thinking of adopting a second child to give our child a sibling. We have looked at different country programs and through information gathering we decided to look at Russia again.
I don't know if it was the times or our agency but back when we adopted we were given referrals in advance. The referrals contained photos, information on birth, apgar, head circumference, measurements, weight etc. I liked this system because you could get a pretty good idea about the child you were to meet and you could bounce the information off an IA doctor.
I spoke yesterday with another agency (not the one we used to adopt in '06) because they seem to have several country programs. Anyway on the phone the lady told us that her agency gives different information in the referrals-=basically a photo of the kid, about the birthparents, any major issues, etc. However she told me that not all referrals include head circumference or periodic measurements of the baby/child.
I found this surprising because I think those measurements are a good idea if the child's brain is developing properly and if the child has "failure to thrive issues." She told me that at least in her regions each baby home had the right to choose what information to divulge to prospective parents on the referral before travel.
I want to know from those who have adopted from Russia in the past year or two what kind of information did you receive on the children prior to travel? Do some agencies give referrals in advance or do most send parents overseas blind? If referrals are given in advance what sorts of information is given about the children nowadays?
I haven't been active on this board in a long time but anecdotally it seems like Russian adoption has changed A LOT since we brought our daughter home in '06.
Thanks for any information you may have.
Amy K, NJ
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we just brought our daughter home a few months ago. our referral was just a photo & a little bit of info on birth mom...and I mean "little" (nothing on father...to this day). it is my understanding that it is illegal in Russia to forward any info about a child prior to the official referral (in person) at the ministry of education. i believe most agencies try to get what they can in advance, but there is no guarantee. i also imagine with the children's ombudsman (Pavel) slamming the US every chance he gets...those in russia are probably worried about breaking any laws for fear of retaliation.
while we have no regrets...it was daunting to travel half way accross the world with such little info. i wish you all the best.
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Amy:
Head circumference is rarely accurate on foreign medicals. As an example, I adopted from China, and the head circumference data, as well as the heights and weights, are usually pretty worthless there. And since they are inaccurate, any trend data will seem totally off-the-wall.
The reasons are simple. First, as you've probably seen with your first child, it isn't easy to measure a wiggly baby. American pediatricians may measure head circumference two or three times to be sure that the tape is positioned correctly and the right circumference reported. Orphanage doctors don't have the luxury of that much time. They may have to run through a whole orphanage full of kids in a couple of hours, and can't waste time on do-overs.
Also, not all medical systems view head size as that critical. I don't know the situation in Russia, but Chinese doctors don't put much faith in head circumference as a measure of brain development and intellectual ability. As a result, they do the measurement because American parents expect to see one, but they really don't spend much time on it, because they don't believe it has any value. And I've got to tell you that, as far as I can see, when it comes to Chinese babies, unless their heads look seriously disproportional to their bodies in the referral pictures, they are usually totally normal. My daughter was VERY tiny, but she is now 17, in a prestigious International Baccalaureate program, and applying to some pretty high-powered colleges. She spoke her first words in English after we were together for only a couple of days, and totally embarrassed our pediatrician who had gently counseled me to expect learning issues. In fact, most China parents tend to be slightly amused when American adoption medicine physicians speak at conferences about the importance of head size measurements.
Sharon
The amount of info received with a referral depends on the region. I think Russia is becoming more standardized as a whole regarding how info/cases are handled. I also think it is becoming most common to receive most info when in the region on the first trip.
Although measurements may not be accurate, if you get them ahead of traveling, they could at least show steady growth. Each country is different, and each region in Russia seems to be different as well. Keep calling around, and you may find an agency working in a region that can give a bit more details for you.
Our referral did include all those measurements taken at birth and at all subsequent exams.....however, the measurements taken at his second exam stated a smaller head circumference than at birth. Babies' heads don't just shrink. I guess that goes to show you that the measurements can be way off, and though they may give you an idea...you cannot rely on them to be accurate.
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i would say it even depends on the orphanage and care of the chief doctor in charge at the orphanage. we adopted this year and received measurements in advance of travel- but had to ask for them.... so i would add that your agency may be able to get that for you if they have a relationship with a given orphanage.
We got a referral almost a year ago and received basic medical information in the form of weight, height, head circumference, at what week of pregnancy born, and age of mother. Also, several growth measurements and statement abouta special physical condition of this particular child. Blood tests were listed, but not recent ones, which we received after asking. And then we got a short video of the child. All in all it wasn't a ton of information, but enough to make some sort of evaluation. Last week we got another referral (from another region) and it did not have much information at all. Just basic birth information (weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference) and blood tests (nothing updated since shortly after birth), what week of pregnancy born, age of mother, and a short video clip. Because all information was basically from a newborn, our doctors were not able to really make any evaluation other than looking at the video and seeing that the child appears healthy. We're still thinking about weather or not to take the chance and go there to find out ourselves. And then there's the looming adoption ban... The amount of information you get really depends on the region and baby home. And with all the drama going on, I can't help but think that it's going to be difficult to get any extra information with the referral in the future (IF there is one), but I don't know that of course. Good luck to you, me, and everyone else in the middle of the process -- and may Putin not sign the bill!
thank you all for your help and feedback. I also want to wish those in process best of luck concerning all of the stuff going on in Russia looking to ban adoptions. I hope this passes over for you all so you can bring home your children in a safe and timely manner. Thanks again.
Amy K, NJ