Grief and loss are common reactions for birth parents after they place their child for adoption. Depending on the adoption worker's role and the type of agency, services to birth parents may be integral to the adoption process (as with many private agencies), may be conducted by child welfare workers (as with some public and private agencies), or may be essentially nonexistent (as with many intercountry placements or private adoptions completed without the involvement of a social services agency).

This section includes information to help birth parents and relatives understand the emotional impact of adoption; it includes resources about the grieving process, the effects of adoption, and information on how others have coped.

Emotional Issues and Adoption
Adoptionservices.org
Discusses the effect of adoption on the children, adoptive families, and birth families involved.

Grief and Open Adoption
Romanchik
Helps birth parents in open adoptions prepare for the grieving process that might follow the adoption. This article was written by a birth mother.

Is Anyone Out There?: Finding Support as a Birth Mother
Strickland (2015)
National Council for Adoption
Adoption Advocate, 88
Explains the grief and loss felt by a birth mother when she places her child for adoption and the benefits of connecting with other birthmothers.

Lifelong Issues in Adoption
Adoption.com (2016)
Explains seven characteristics that affect children who are adopted, adoptive parents, and birth parents throughout the lifespan.

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