Parenting and Caring

Biological Parents
The two people who contribute to that child’s genetic make-up. Also known as genetic, birth or natural parents.

Planned pregnancy: the parents have discussed and should be prepared for the changes that a child will bring to their lives.
These will include: * Financial – affording the ongoing costs * Work – maternity/paternity leave * Childcare arrangements * Housing – sleeping, playing and eventually studying arrangements * Vehicle – size and car seat needed

Unplanned pregnancy: results because of lack of contraception, or lack of education about how to use contraception effectively
Parents are less likely to be prepared for the changes that parenthood will bring, and the inevitable challenges and stress will be likely to cause conflict. The following issues are likely to arise and will be often be dependent on the ages and capabilities of the parents: * Pregnancy termination or adoption: will it be considered and a shared decision? * Parental responsibility: will it rest with one parent or be shared? Custody arrangements may need to be considered if the parents are not in a permanent relationship. Marriage may be another consideration

IVF: the woman is given fertility drugs to stimulate her ovaries to produce eggs, which are then removed via minor surgery. The eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory and the resulting embryo(s) are implanted in the woman’s uterus. The chances of a successful pregnancy is 25-35%

Gift: is a modified form of IVF where eggs and sperm are placed in the fallopian tube, fertilization occurs and the egg travels to the uterus for implantation as usual. NB A woman must have at least one functioning fallopian tube to use this method

Reasons IVF + Gift may be used by some couples: * Age – some women over 35 have difficulty conceiving naturally * Infertility – past STIs e.g. chlamydia, blocked fallopian tube or endometriosis * A history of miscarriages * Low sperm count

Social Parents
People who have not contributed to the genetic make-up of a child but have taken on the parenting role and often have the same responsibilities in meeting the needs of the child.

F.A.S.S
Fostering
Adoption
Surrogacy
Step Parenting

Fostering:
Occurs when a person or a couple temporarily parents a child or children who are unable to live with their own family. The time period can range from days to years, and may occur in situations of neglect or abuse, or when respite care it required. Respite is a break for fulltime parents when the child needs a high level of care, often due to a disability. * Problems can arise when relinquishing children back to biological parents. * Allowance from government to cover the cost of fostering is made to foster parents.

Adoption:
Legal process where an individual or couple gains the legal rights and responsibilities for the care of the child whose birth parents are unable to or have chosen not to care for that child. * Very few children are put up for adoption. * Many 1000s of children living in abusive, dysfunctional homes.

Surrogacy:
A woman becomes a pregnant and gives birth to a child for another person, with the intention of handing over the child immediately after birth. * Problems arise if the surrogate mother decides she wants to keep the child. * Issues with care and health during pregnancy. * The costs for this huge. * This is not legal in Australia.

Step-parenting:
Occurs as a result of marriage or de facto relationship when a person on the role of parent of a child who is not biologically related to them. * Very normal and common in Australia. * Issues can arise when the step-parent takes on parenting duties e.g. discipline that may be unwanted by the children, emotional wellbeing after.

Preparations for Becoming a Parent
Current areas of Physical development: * Check immunity to