Postadoptive Reactions of the Relinquishing Mother: A Review

Babies Removed at Birth: What Professionals Can Learn From ‘Women Like Me’

“…Substance misuse, mental ill health, parental learning difficulties and living with a violent partner can be contributory factors (Marsh et al, ). A mother who is separated from her baby at birth suffers high levels of emotional distress and will express normal grief reactions (anger, guilt and depression) likened to those experienced by a mother whose baby has died (Askren and Bloom, ). Evidence further suggests that if these grief emotions are not recognised or acknowledged, they will persist and could lead to chronic unresolved grief and long‐term psychological problems.…”

“…Furthermore, while a mother whose baby has died can usually resolve her feelings of grief within six months of the loss, the feelings of a mother whose baby has been removed at birth can and often will intensify (Logan, ). A traumatic experience like having her baby removed at birth can also have a powerful impact on a woman's self‐esteem; the shame experienced for not being an ‘adequate’ mother is something that many women carry with them for life (Askren and Bloom, ). While this statutory intervention is an emotive and intrusive event in the lives of the mother and her family, and is disruptive to the natural processes of breastfeeding and attachment, it may be essential in order to protect the baby from harm (Masson and Dickens, ).…”

Adult Birth Mothers Who Made Open Infant Adoption Placements after Adolescent Unplanned Pregnancy

“…Many believe that openness in the choice of adoptive parents eases the adoption process for the birth mother (Ge et al., ; Grotevant & McRoy, ; Larsen, ). There may be a grief or mourning experience (Askren & Bloom, ; Gritter, ; Smith, ), yet the adoption process can take place without regret for the decision. Birth mother satisfaction is possible with ongoing contact of members in the adoption triad (Castle, ).…”

Broadening notions of ‘missing persons’ to increase social inclusion, public empathy and healing: Considering the case of children missing through adoption

“…Similarly, the Stolen Generation, British child migrants and Forgotten Australians commonly were not perceived as missing persons, except perhaps by their families, even when their families described their children as being 'taken', or 'stolen' (Ekermann, et al, 2008, p. 76;Hancox, 2011). Mounting literature in Australia, the United Kingdom and elsewhere provides evidence that the subsequent unresolved, ambiguous loss resulted in ongoing, episodic grief, trauma and serious mental health issues, including suicide (Askren & Bloom, 1999;Carabas & Harter, 2005;Edwards & Read, 1989;Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 1997;Cole, 2008;1 st Author, 2008;Higgins, 2010;Humphreys, 1995;McNiece, 2006). Despite parents' suffering, such stories remained comparatively unspoken, excluded and hidden from view.…”