What Are the Risks?

As adoptive parents, we are sometimes presented with adoption situations where the birth mother may have used drugs, alcohol or smoked during pregnancy.  Oftentimes, exposure occurs before a birth mom knows she is pregnant.  Adoptive parents often have questions and concerns about what side effects may occur.  The following website can provide helpful information and if you contact them by phone you can speak to someone who can personally answer your questions and address your concerns.

The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) is a non-profit organization made up of individual services (TIS) throughout North America. We are dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based, clinical information about exposures during pregnancy and lactation. If you have questions about risks please locate a service near you by clicking on the map on the top of the web page.