CONSIDERING ADOPTION – FOR PROSPECTIVE BIRTHPARENTS
Making the decision to consider an adoption plan for your child is a very difficult thing to do. You may weigh your decision throughout the pregnancy, or you may make a decision as soon as you know you are pregnant. Either way is very acceptable. Every woman is unique in the way that she handles an unexpected or crisis pregnancy.
Most women choose adoption for some of the following reasons:
- They don’t feel emotionally or physically equipped to raise a child; or another child if they are already parenting
- They don’t feel financially prepared
- They don’t have family support
- The birthfather is not involved, and they want their child to have two parents
- They have other goals that they would like to pursue before starting a family
Most adoptions today are open adoptions so many prospective birthparents ask what is open adoption. Open adoption simply means that the birthparents have the opportunity to participate fully in their adoption plan including: selecting the parents they believe to be best for their child; meeting, interviewing, and getting to know the adoptive parent; sharing information with the adoptive parents; spending time with the baby while in the hospital; deciding whether or not to have on-going contact with the adoptive family and child; and negotiating the type of on-going contact desired (i.e. letters, pictures, or visits). Our agency offers guidance and support in helping adoptive parents and birthparents establish a relationship and determine what type of contact is best for everyone involved. Our goal is to offer information, counseling, and support to all those involved in the adoption process, so that each adoption is with dignity and each participant is treated with care and respect.
Kris A. Probasco, Director of Adoption and Fertility Resources, is willing to provide a free consultation as you are exploring an adoption decision. Kris has been employed in the field of adoption since 1972 and has a great amount of experience to offer as you are exploring this option.