Our First Visit to the International Adoption Clinic

On Monday, April 26, we had our first visit to the International Adoption Clinic at Children's Hospital in Birmingham. This clinic was started by doctors who have themselves adopted internationally. They know first-hand the services that adopted children and their families need and offer their services so warmly and professionally. We met with a pediatrician, a family theraptist to talk about attachment and bonding, had a kidney ultrasound and labs done.

You may be wondering why Sophie would have to have a kidney ultrasound. If you think back a couple of years, you may remember hearing on the news or reading in the papers and on the internet about tainted milk in China. Melamine was added to formula, which unfortunately killed some children. Since no really knows if the formula our children were given was tainted, the IAC tests every child adopted from China. Children who have been exposed generally have kidney stones and/or other kidney problems. We do not have the results of the ultrasound, and we pray that Sophie was not exposed. She did do really well during the ultrasound. The room was painted as if it were under the sea. There were jellyfish suspended over the bed where the ultrasounds are done, the walls were covered in beautiful murals of fish, turtles, coral, and sea grasses. Sophie held my hands while I sang to her and talked to her about the fish and the beach, and in no time, the ultrasound was complete!

We found out that Sophie is between the 5th and 10th percentile in height and weight for her age group, which is not uncommon for adopted Asian children. The pediatrician found Sophie to be really healthy and was very happy that she is eating and sleeping so well. The family therapist thought that her attachment and bonding were coming along really well and advised us to continue what we were doing.

The last thing we had to do before we could leave was have labs done. I was SO nervous about this. You never want to see your child stuck with a needle, but I knew that it had to be done so that we would know exactly the immunizations she had had in China. I would rather her be stuck this one time, rather than stuck multiple times later for unnecessary immunizations. The nurse was so good with her and only had to stick her once. She was a trooper. She cried, but only for a little while. After it was all done, her booboo liked like a little ant bite, and she did not bruise at all!

Thanks to all of the staff at the IAC. You are awesome!