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The world of International Adoption can change quickly. One moment a country is open and the next it is closed. While keeping up with all the paperwork it is also important to look regularly for health updates that may affect your traveling or how you arrange Doctors visits and health screenings once your child gets home.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recently updated their information on International Adoption. Don’t let the document make you nervous. Remember that it is a guideline, not the law!
After reading through the article I thought I would share some of my thoughts on the health topic and add some parenting perspectives.
Vaccinations
It is good to read up on vaccinations and get your mind thinking about what you may want to do about when your child gets home. Some parents have their child completely re-vaccinated because of a lack of paperwork while others have their doctor draw titers to see what your child is immune to (make sure your insurance covers the blood work, it is pricey!)
Personally, we had titers drawn and that saved the girls some shots. I have also refused some shots due to the fact the girls have scaring that indicate they have had the illness already. Don’t be bullied into having your child recieve an unbelievable amount of shots at one time. You have the right to say no, space them out more, or do more research on your own. If schools give you a hard time, get a note from your pediatrician. Immunizations and their ingredients are very controversial at this time and they require some research and thought. As a RN who has worked in a developing country, I choose to vaccinate for the most part, but have refused or delayed shots that I felt were unnecessary.
At my girls’ first appointment they wanted to give them each 6 shots, and tried to act as if I was mean by not “getting it over with.” Beleive me, it is hard to watch your child get a shot, let alone your newly adopted child with whom you are working on bonding with. My kids got violent with the injections and I felt that six shots would be torture for all of us. A year and a half later we are almost done with the “catch up” on the shots. Mita has gotten to the point where she can handle them. Enu gets more violent with each time. I have learned to take someone with me or don’t take any of the other children. I hold her until she is calmed down and then we go have a treat. This is emotionally draining for both of us, but she bounces back quicker than I do!
Also think about the possible need for you or other family members to be vaccinated. There have been some cases of adoptive family members who did not travel to Ethopia, getting Hepatitis from their child. The recommendation is to have the entire family vaccinated, especially if your adopted child is an infant and will need diaper changing.
Initial Check Up
If you are planning on taking your child to an International Adoptoin Clinic, chances are they will have a translator there for you if your child is older. If you are going to a Doctor who doesn’t deal with adoptions much, you may want to research a translating service in your area to help. Our first check up included a pyschological evaluation, occupational therapy and physical therapy which are very hard evaluations when there is a language barrier. Be sure to check with your insurance and make sure these services are all covered. If not check with your local state and county resources. Ohio has a program that helps cover medical tests and check ups the first 90 days your child is home. This was not incomed based in Ohio, and can come in handy when you are dealing with bills you are not used to!
Be Mentally Prepared
Your child may have a Healthy label during your adoption process, but remember that this is for chronic illnesses. Your child may have some fungal infections, parasites, lice, cavity and gum problems or a vision issue. I don’t say this to make you panic, but to let you know that even with healthy children there is a good chance that you will be at the doctors office a lot at first. The early days were hard enough, but having to get three stool samples from two kids over a weekend was a bit over the top. The girls thought I was crazy!
So, in conclustion I would recommend:
1) Research vaccines for your child and your family BEFORE your child comes home.
2) Have a health care provider or International Adoption Clinic that knows you are coming and has the resources you need. Check with your insurance.
3) Check out any financial aid your state or county has for adoption health issues.
4) Be prepared to spend some time at the Doctor’s office even if your child is healthy.
