Have You Considered Adoption?
Deciding how to handle your unplanned pregnancy is emotionally challenging. You want to make the best choice for your future. If you feel you are not ready to be a parent or don’t wish to parent, you can always choose adoption. There are pros and cons to choosing this option, but learning more about it can help determine if it’s right for you.
Making An Adoption Plan
Legal adoption permanently transfers parental rights and responsibilities from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. It is not co-parenting.
For decades, people referred to adoption as “giving up your baby.” That’s because, oftentimes, a pregnant woman had no idea who adopted her baby or where they went. Now, every adoption is unique, depending on the desires of the expectant mother or birth mother.
Open Adoption
With an open adoption, the birth mother and the adoptive couple she’s selected exchange identifying information. They may give each other their phone numbers, email addresses, or physical addresses. Together, they agree on the amount and type of communication they want.
Semi-Open Adoption (aka Mediated Adoption)
If all parties wish to have contact but want more privacy, they choose a semi-open adoption. They have contact, but all communication goes through their adoption professional, such as an adoption lawyer or agency. A semi-open adoption provides more privacy.
Closed Adoption
Less than 10% of adoptions today are closed. A closed adoption means the birth parents and the adoptive parents have no contact. The court seals the original birth certificate. Some birth mothers feel this is the best way to move forward.
Pros of Adoption
The following are some of the benefits of choosing adoption for your child:
- You determine the future you wish your child to have.
- Your child is raised in a two-parent home.
- By selecting the adoptive parents and staying in touch, you have the assurance that your child is safe and loved.
- All of your medical and legal expenses are provided.
- Other pregnancy-related expenses may be paid.
- You can move forward with your career or education.
Cons of Adoption
It’s vital to consider everything. These are the potential difficulties with adoption:
- Someone else raises your child.
- If you don’t choose an open or semi-open plan, you miss certain milestones in your child’s life.
- You may need ongoing counseling to gain confidence and assurance with your decision.
- You may go through a grieving process.
- You may have people in your life who don’t agree with your decision.
Learn More Today
Although Guiding Star Wakota is not a licensed child-placing facility, we can recommend reputable adoption professionals to assist you. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions of an adoption coordinator. Studies show that women who received a thorough explanation of the process, were the happiest with their decision.
Find out more about this option. Choosing adoption for your child is not an easy decision to make, but that doesn’t mean it’s the wrong choice. It may be the perfect solution for your situation. Schedule an appointment to discuss your options.