The process of adoption can produce detrimental effects for birth parents that may last a lifetime, including feelings of depression, sadness, anger, regret, shame, anxiety, grief, loss, and guilt. Adoptions may involve voluntary relinquishment by the birth parent or involuntary relinquishment through a formal termination of parental rights by the court system. This information packet aims to synthesize existing research looking at birth parents that voluntarily relinquish parental rights and explore some of their experiences throughout various steps of the process. Link to Information Packet