Adoption and how it is carried out have well-studied psychological effects on adoptees. However, how birth mothers are affected by giving up their child is less well studied. Birth mothers have historically been shunned and stigmatized, and often still do not receive the grief counseling and mental health services they need. Open vs. closed adoptions also differ. An expert psychologist and birth mother-author discuss.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices