This paper shows the psycho-sociological factors which have a serious negative impact on childless families, while stressing the importance of the family as basic environment for the development, education and socialisation of man. It presents numerous disorders which affect parentless children brought up in educational institutions. The solution advocated in this paper is prenatal adoption, which responds to the anguish of both childless families and the mothers of unwanted children. Prenatal adoption is also a significant area of medical activity involving great responsibility of the doctor as the first-contact person, who deals directly with the problems of lone pregnant women and abandoned children. The paper informs of the activities of the Prenatal Adoption Centre in Kraków as well as the idea that led to its formation.