Adoption is a mix of pain, beauty, love, and tragedy, all rolled up into one shared heart.
Why Would I Consider Adoption?
Women from all walks of life, in every kind of situation, and for a wide variety of reasons, choose adoption. Making an adoption plan for your child is one of the most challenging choices you will make, but sometimes, the hardest decisions turn out to be the best.
Here are a few reasons you might choose adoption:
- You’re already caring for other children and don’t have the capacity to add one more.
- You feel you are too young or too old to parent.
- You’re not interested in a long-term relationship with the birth father. Or perhaps he’s no longer in the picture.
- Abortion is out of the question.
- You want your child to have a stable, two-parent home.
- You are in an abusive relationship that would not be safe for a child.
What Are the Types of Adoption Plans?
The adoption process is very different today. As an expectant woman or birth mother, you can make as many of the adoption decisions as you would like. You pick the adoption plan that works best for you. The following are the three plans to choose from.
Open Adoption
In an open adoption, you and the potential adoptive couple you choose exchange identifying information. You know each other’s full names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. Together, you craft a Contact Agreement. This agreement outlines the type of communication you want after the adoption is finalized.
Semi-Open Adoption
When an adoption is semi-open, you still have contact with the adoptive family and your child. However, all communication is handled through a third party, such as your agency or attorney. It adds a little more privacy to the relationship. Of course, you can always change to an open adoption afterward.
Closed Adoption
Very few adoptions are closed today. If you want to remain completely anonymous, choose a closed adoption plan. The courts seal the original birth certificate, and you have no contact with your child or their adoptive family.
Can I Choose Who Raises My Child?
If you choose an open or semi-open plan, you choose the potential adoptive family. Once you’ve received thorough adoption counseling, you review the bios of several potential adoptive couples.
You can decide if your child grows up in the city or the country. Should your child be the oldest, or do you pick a family with other children? You orchestrate their future.
Do I Get Paid?
Paying a woman in return for her placing her child for adoption is illegal. However, all of your medical and legal bills are taken care of. Plus, depending on your needs, you may receive compensation for pregnancy-related expenses such as rent, food, transportation, maternity clothes, etc.
If an agency or attorney asks you to pay for their services, run! They are not reputable. No one should ever pressure you into choosing this option.
Make sure the adoption coordinator you select provides thorough counseling before, during, and after the adoption is finalized. We can provide more information about this option and share referrals to reputable agencies. Schedule an appointment to talk more about making an adoption plan.
The First Choice Difference
If you're facing an unexpected pregnancy and don't know where to turn, come to First Choice. We specialize in providing free and confidential medical services to get you the answers you need. There's no pressure, manipulation, judgment, or lectures. Just pure, honest, factual information. We care about you and your future. Trust First Choice.
