A family’s genetic line, family tree or a record of such ancestry.

During pregnancy, some women develop high levels of blood sugar, a condition known as gestational diabetes, or Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). If GDM occurs it is often around the 24th week of pregnancy. According to the American Diabetes Association, GDM affects 18 percent of all pregnant women. Having GDM does not mean the woman had Diabetes before pregnancy or after birth. In most cases, GDM develops in women who never had Diabetes. If this is left undiagnosed the mother and child will certainly be at risk. Often very high birth weight is associated with babies born to women with GDM that may cause a host of other problems for the woman and the child.

(also called Permanent Resident Card or Form I-551): A child will enter the US on one of two types of immigrant visas. An immigrant visa gives permission to enter the US and apply for permanent residence. The proof of permanent residence (the right to live and work in the US permanently) is called a Green Card. The Green Card should arrive within 2 month’s of the child’s arrival in the US. BCIS form G-731 may be used if the adoptive parents need to check the status of their child’s Green Card. Adoptive parents may need their child’s the Green Card for various other legal purposes such as readopting, obtaining a social security card, obtaining certificate of US citizenship.

A feeling of emotional deprivation or loss. Each member of the adoption triad at some point may experience grief.

Person who fulfills some of the responsibilities of the legal parent role, although the courts or birth parents may continue to hold some jurisdiction of the child. Guardians do not have the same reciprocal rights of inheritance as birth or adoptive parents. Guardianship is subject to ongoing supervision by the court and ends at the child’s majority or by order of the court

A lawyer or lay person who represents a child in juvenile or family court. Usually this person considers the "best interest" of the child and may perform a variety of roles, including those of independent investigator, advocate, advisor and guardian for the child. A lay person who serves in this role is sometimes known as a court-appointed special advocate or CASA. The status of guardian ad litem exists only within the confines of the particular court case in which the appointment occurs.