Birthparent Resources

Clapton, G. (2003). Birth fathers and their adoption experiences. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Interviews were conducted with 30 birth fathers to relay information about their reactions and emotions during the pregnancy and postadoption periods.

Foge, L., & Mosconi, G. (1999). The third choice: A woman's guide to placing a child for adoption. Berkeley, CA: Creative Arts Book Company.

Written by two adoption counselors, this book takes birth mothers through the periods of pregnancy, adoption planning and placement, and grief and recovery.

Gritter, J. L. (1997). The spirit of open adoption. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.

A pioneer in open adoption practice, the author gives a realistic look at the pain, joy, and beauty that open adoption holds for all members of the triad.

Jones, M. B. (1993). Birthmothers: Women who have relinquished babies for adoption tell their stories. Chicago: Chicago Review Press.

The stories of a number of birth mothers are told throughout this book, which addresses all of the issues birth mothers encounter, including the pregnancy, placement, dealing with grief, marriage, later children, searching, and reunion.

Mason, M. M. (1995). Designing rituals of adoption for the religious and secular community. Minneapolis, MN: Resources for Adoptive Parents.

This handbook describes religious and nonreligious ceremonies, such as entrustment ceremonies, that might be used in adoption.

Mason, M. M. (1995). Out of the shadows: Birthfathers' stories. Edina, MN: O.J. Howard Publishing.

The stories of 17 birth fathers are told to highlight the situation of this often forgotten group.

Pavao, J. M. (1998). The family of adoption. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.

The author, an adopted person and an adoption therapist, describes the developmental stages and challenges for adopted people, and includes real-life examples to illustrate these stages.

Roles, P. (1989). Saying goodbye to a baby. Volume I: The birthparent's guide to loss and grief in adoption. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.

Written by a social worker and birth mother, this book covers all of the issues faced by birth parents, including the pregnancy, adoption decision, loss, later issues, and reunion.

Romanchik, B. (1999). Being a birthparent: Finding our place. Royal Oak, MI: R-Squared Press.

This handbook, written by a birth parent, discusses the role of the birth parent in an open adoption.

Romanchik, B. (1999). Birthparent grief. Royal Oak, MI: R-Squared Press.

This handbook, written by a birth parent, discusses the different phases of grief, counseling, and dealing with difficult times.

Romanchik, B. (1999). Your rights and responsibilities: A guide for expectant parents considering adoption. Royal Oak, MI: R-Squared Press.

This handbook, written by a birth parent, discusses the responsibilities and rights of birth parents at each phase of the adoption plan.


Rosenberg, E. B. (1992). The adoption life cycle: The children and their families through the years. New York, NY: The Free Press.

Written by a clinical professor in psychiatry, this book draws on case examples to show how the different members of the adoption triad influence each other and to describe developmental tasks for those in the adoption circle.

Schaefer, C. (1991). The other mother: A true story. New York, NY: Soho Press, Inc.

The author tells her story of being a birth mother and of later searching for and finding her son.