TTC and Fostering

Your situation is similar to mine. DH and I talked back and forth about foster-to-adopt or TTC for a while (for various reasons) and eventually decided to TTC and possibly foster-to-adopt later, but after a year and a half we didn't get pregnant. We decided that we did not want to pursue any fertility testing or treatments. Fostering and adopting was still very much in our heart and it just seemed (for us personally) pointless to spend that money when we knew there were so many children already in the world that needed a home and family. So we became licensed foster parents, and have a sweet little baby right now - I don't think she'll be our forever baby though. That being said, while we are not actively TTC anymore (I'm not taking my temp and peeing on ovulation predictor sticks everyday and all that), we are not doing anything to prevent it. I figure when we decided to pursue this course we put a lot of faith in the universe, or God, or whatever you believe, for things to work out the way it should, and I guess that extends to whether I get pregnant too. Ironically one of the reasons we decided to TTC in the first place was that we felt like we'd be more in control of the outcome - not so much huh? As far as getting a placement while TTC... there are definitely foster parents who've been pregnant and given birth while fostering, but I would expect a lot of questions during your homestudy and even after about how you would handle it - especially since you don't already have children. The state or agency would want to make sure you aren't going to just disrupt any kids they place with you as soon as you have your own child - not saying you would but it's happened. And like the prev. poster said I'd really think about whether you personally could handle it. Fostering is really hard and stressful - not only seeing/knowing the initial trauma and abuse that brought the kid(s) into care, but the ongoing trauma the system sometimes continues to perpetrate on everyone - foster parents included (just read more of everyone's stories on this site to know what I'm talking about). Being pregnant and caring for a newborn is also really hard and stressful (I do have one bio child) - especially if said pregnancy might be high risk. Are you really sure you want or can do it? Just things to think about. I hope you do decide you want to and can foster. The system desperately needs people who want to care for children who have had rough start in life.

I had 2 kids while fostering. It did not affect us placement wise at all. Their big concern was that we had a place for the FKs to stay that was background checked in the event that I went into labor at 2am, which I did both have someone and went into labor at 2am. :) It will be fine.

Thank you all so much for making me feel like this could be possible! We've got at least six months before the wedding to figure it out.

I am currently interning at The Twelve of Ohio which is a foster care agency here in Toledo ohio. We are a non profit agency.. counties like lucas, cuyahoga, summit, marion, etc. Will contract with our agency in order to ensure stability and security for the youth. We are currently looking for new foster parents due to high number of youth being placed within our agency's available homes. If you are still looking to find an agency to contact, I'd be more than Willing to give you more information or get you in contact with my supervisor/ director. My email is fussn@the12inc.org

Welcome RollingThunder99! My husband and I have always planned on children. We are TTC, but are also planning on fostering as soon as he's done with school and I have an opportunity to be home with kids. Ideally, we would like to have biological children AND foster to adopt. However, I am thrilled with however God brings children into our family if we continue to have fertility issues and adopt all of our children. It depends on each family situation, some would warn about mixing biological and adopted children. There is a big challenge there of making sure that all children feel equals. If you and your fiance are confident with this challenge, and desire it, then I'd say see what happens. You can always make specific decisions, as you feel it best, as each child that comes to your home in the future. -Spud :Chewie:

Thank you both. I think we've decided to wait until next year. We want to get the wedding handled first of course and have put of TTC and enquiring about foster care. I think after the wedding though we plan to do both at the same time! Thank you guys so much and I'll be lurking!