Once rare, international adoptions today are increasingly common, with the number of such adoptions having risen from 6,536 in 1992 to 13,620 in 1997, according to the U.S. Department of State.

Typically, international adoptions cost from $7,000 to $25,000, not including the cost of travel to meet the child or pick him or her up. Adoptive parents often are drawn to international adoptions because of the perception that adopting is more certain than adopting domestically through an agency or independently. "You pay your fees and go through the process, and after some defined period of time you're going to be a parent," says Pertman. Unlike the adoption of a newborn, in which case birth parents may change their minds at the last minute, international adoptions almost always involve children who are already available for adoption.

In addition, some parents seek out international adoptions because they prefer having no contact with the baby's birth parents and feel international adoptions offer that opportunity. "That is more of a perceived advantage," rather than an actual advantage, says Pertman. "I would argue that is rarely an advantage," because most children will eventually want to learn about their birth parent.

Finally, parents sometimes seek out international adoptions because they perceive children in orphanages to have a more immediate need. "That desire to help children who really need homes is a powerful thing. It is also what drives people to adopt from foster care," says Pertman.

Of course, people considering international adoption often worry that the child they adopt will suffer ill effects from what may have been a traumatic early life experience. "There is no question that children who have not had permanent homes for some years of their lives are going to feel the effects," says Pertman. "Some are relatively minor, and some are quite major. It doesn't mean that that child cannot be fine. It does mean you should know what you're doing and educate yourself and understand what the child's needs are."

In recent years, some international adoption agencies have begun sending prospective parents a video of the child they hope to adopt so that the parents can have it evaluated by a pediatrician, says Berger. A pediatrician — especially one who is familiar with the common problems of international adoptees — can often evaluate the child by video to make a determination of his of her development and general health. "They can evaluate it and give you a sense, for example, if the child has fetal alcohol syndrome," she explains.

Still, even developmental delays or other problems are not a reason to avoid adoption. Which brings up the question: "Should adoption be for adults who want children, or should it be about children who need families?" asks Pertman. "For the most part it should be about children who need families, and for the most part we can rise to the occasion and do what we have to do." The good news, "The rewards are enormous," he says.