Mothering Subsequent Children After Placing A Child For Adoption

When a birth mother goes on to have more children, she may feel an increased sense of guilt and regret about a previous adoption decision.  She will certainly experience a wide range of feelings, including a sense of over-protectiveness to her new child, and also fear that something or someone would take her child away.

Mothers who have experienced adoption loss must be treated with extra sensitivity when pregnant and birthing additional children. The trauma of giving up a child to adoption is likely to resurface at such an emotional time. If you work with expectant mothers in this precarious position, listen to their needs and assure them of their parenting abilities.