Adopting after Infertility

Marilyn Crawshaw is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of York. Her research interests include psychosocial aspects of reproductive health, policy and practice. Rachel Balen is Principal Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Huddersfield. Her research interests include child welfare and safeguarding. Marilyn and Rachel are co-editors of Sexuality and Fertility in Ill Health and Disability: From Early Adolescence to Adulthood, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

ADOPTING AFTER INFERTILITY is a highly sympathetic read and in my view one of the best books to cover this complex and soul searching subject for prospective adoptive parents and professionals alike... It is a gentle and empowering book that offers hope and direction whilst cutting through any hypocrisy or platitudes that may smother anyone dealing with infertility... In my view, it is perfect for anyone undecided whether adoption is the journey they wish to pursue, the prospective adoptive parent who has so much to consider, or professionals wishing to gain insight into this area for assessment and understanding of others.

• Introduction. Marilyn Crawshaw, University of York, UK and Rachel Balen, University of Huddersfield, UK. 1. The impact of infertility and treatment on individuals and couples. Lone Schmidt, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. When treatment ends; the experiences of women and couples. Gayle Letherby, University of Plymouth, UK. 3. The shift from medical treatment to adoption: Exploring family building options. Petra Thorn, Practice for Couple and Family Therapy, Germany. 4. Where infertility arises from a prior health condition - fit to adopt? Marilyn Crawshaw and Rachel Balen. 5. Assessing infertile couples for adoption - Just what does 'coming to terms with infertility' mean? Marilyn Crawshaw. 6. Adoption and infertility: The role of the Adoption Panel. Jenny Gwilt, independent adoption consultant, UK. 7. 'For him, it's got to be your own son': Adoption and infertility in British South Asian communities. Lorraine Culley and Nicky Hudson, De Montfort University, UK. 8. 'A sense of belonging': The experience of a Black adopter. Sally Baffour, ThankU Charity, UK. 9. Infertility and intercountry adoption. Gill Haworth, Intercountry Adoption Centre, UK, Peter Selman, Newcastle University, UK and Jan Way, Intercountry Adoption Centre, UK. 10. A child at last: Adoption after infertility. Anthea Hendry, Art Psychotherapist, UK and Penny Netherwood, Leeds Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, UK. 11. Nature and nurture: What do theory and research tell us? Olga van den Akker, Middlesex University, UK. 12. Infertility and adoption: The search for birth parents and the impact on adult family relationships. Julia Feast, British Association for Adoption and Fostering, UK. Final Thoughts. Index.