One option you may not have considered for your unplanned pregnancy is adoption. Like the other two options, parenting or abortion, adoption is not an easy decision, but making an adoption plan for your baby is a mature and courageous choice. Getting as much information as possible about the adoption process is the only way to know if it is right for you. Let us help you.
Understanding Adoption
The adoption process decades ago was very different than the process of today. You may have heard past adoption horror stories of birthmoms being sent away, forced to “give up” their babies. Or, ruthless doctors who tell women their babies died, while in fact, the baby was “sold” to an unknowing couple. Today, the birthmother (and father, if he’s involved) make all the decisions. You are in the driver’s seat.
You can take as much time as you need to decide if adoption is right for you. No one can force you to “give up” your baby. You decide who the adopting family will be and how much contact you would like to have. Although it is not an easy decision to make, you have control throughout the entire process.
Types of Adoption Plans
There are three different types of adoption plans. You can choose to work through a private attorney or an adoption agency. Either way, you will look at bios and photos of a variety of couples seeking a possible birthmother.
Open Adoption
Open adoption means you and the adoptive family will know each other’s names, addresses, and other contact information. You can build a relationship through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, texts, and emails. Sometimes, adopting Moms set up private Facebook pages specifically for the birthmother and her family to share photos, stories and other information. With an open adoption you often have the opportunity to meet the family before giving birth. Afterward, you and the adopting family can arrange contact based on what makes you both comfortable.
Closed Adoption
In a closed adoption, you remain completely anonymous. You will still choose the adopting family, but you will have no interaction with them before or after the birth. No identifying information is given to either the birth family or the adoptive family. There is complete privacy.
Semi-Open Adoption
A semi-open adoption means the communication you do have will be through a third party, like a lawyer or the agency. Again, you will choose the adopting family. You may exchange first names, but usually no other identifying information such as phone numbers or addresses are given. Since contact goes through a representative, you can still receive information about your child.
The Next Step
There are many different reasons birthmothers and fathers choose adoption. No plan is right or wrong. Please make an appointment to chat with a client advocate If you would like more information about the adoption process. We will be happy to make referrals to adoption agencies or private adoption attorneys. Remember, you are the one in control.