Listed below are some resources that we believe will be helpful and encouraging for birth parents:

The Mask of Perfection

Read the moving words that one birthmother shared with her church 25 years after she placed her child for adoption . . . [more]

Impact of Adoption on Birth Parents

This factsheet discusses some of the emotional issues that parents face after making the decision to place an infant for adoption, in surrendering the child, and in handling the feelings that often persist afterwards . . . [more]

Child Welfare Information Gateway: Supporting Birth Parents

Links to a variety of general information and resources helpful to birth parents . . . [more]

List of Books and Websites for Birth Parents and Others

Below is a list of helpful books and websites for birth parents and others:

Books addressing all members of the adoption triad

• The Adoption Life Cycle by Elinor B. Rosenberg
• The Adoption Triangle by Arthur Sorosky, Annette Baran & Reuben Pannor
• Adoption Wisdom: A Guide to the Issues and Feelings of Adoption by Marlou Russell

Books addressing the birth parent’s experience (closed adoption)

• The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade by Ann Fessler
• Birthmothers by Merry Bloch Jones
• Birthmark by Lorraine Dusky
• The Other Mother by Carol Schaefer
• Out of the Shadows: Birthfathers’ Stories by Mary Martin Mason

Books addressing the birth parent’s experience (open adoption)

• Life Givers by James Gritter
• Open Adoption Pocket Guides by Brenda Romanchik (Including: What is Open Adoption?; Being a Birthparent: Finding our Place; Your Rights and Responsibilities: For expectant parents exploring adoption; Birthparent Grief)

Books related to search & reunion

• Birthbond by Judith S. Gedman & Linda P. Brown
• Lost and Found by Betty Jean Lifton
• Searching for a Past by Jayne Schooler
• Stories of Adoption: Loss and Reunion by Eric Blau

Books about open adoption

• The Open Adoption Experience by Lois Melina & Sharon Kaplan Roszia
• Making Room in Our Hearts: Keeping Family Ties through Open Adoption by Micky Duxbury
• Children of Open Adoption by Kathleen Silber & Patricia Martinez Dorner
• The Spirit of Open Adoption by James Gritter
• Dear Birthmother by Kathleen Silber & P. Speedlin

Books on grief & loss

• Saying Good-bye to a Baby: Volume I: The Birthparent’s Guide to Loss and Grief in Adoption by Patricia Roles

Websites for birth parents

• Birthmom Buds – www.birthmombuds.com (Providing support to birthmothers & pregnant women considering adoption)
• Child Welfare Information Gateway – www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/birth (Provides access to information and resources for all triad members)
• Open Adoption Insights – www.openadoptioninsight.org (Focuses on open adoption)

We trust that these resources will be helpful to you, but obviously neither we nor Irving Bible Church necessarily agree with or endorse every idea and opinion contained in them.  We trust that you will use your judgment and discernment as you read and consider these and any other resources.  We are always available to discuss any questions that you might have, so please do not hesitate to contact Amy or Michael Monroe at [email protected] or (972) 315-9628.