The hospital-based adoption process: a primer for perinatal nurses.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Although the number of women who relinquish their infants is declining, it is estimated that over 52,000 young women pursue an adoption plan every year. Perinatal nurses practicing in any facet of perinatal care may provide care for a woman implementing an adoption plan for her infant. The provision of care may include interaction with the birthfather, prospective adoptive parents, hospital social worker, and adoption agency or adoption attorney as part of the hospital-based adoption experience. Understanding infant adoption, including the history of adoption in the United States, birthfathers' rights, and knowledge of adoption resources provides nurses with essential information that will allow them to provide appropriate, sensitive, nonjudgmental care to all persons involved in the adoption process.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Smith, KJ; Brandon, D

Published Date

  • November 2008

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 33 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 382 - 388

PubMed ID

  • 18997575

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1539-0683

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0361-929X

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/01.nmc.0000341260.10922.4e

Language

  • eng