Adoption is sometimes overlooked as an option for the outcome of pregnancy. However, adoption is a worthwhile journey for women who cannot parent for whatever reason but want the comfort of knowing that their child is loved and safe in another home.
Adoption is not without its challenges, but it can be a joyful experience. Adoption offers many choices for birth mothers. A birth mother can choose an adoption plan that best reflects her desires and what she thinks is best for her children.
- Open adoption: Choose an open adoption if you would like to pick the adoptive parents for your child and possibly even meet them to ensure they are the right choice before the birth. With the adoptive family, you will decide how much and what kind of communication is best for everyone involved. Do you want to get to know your child? Do you want them to know their biological history? Do you want your child to understand why you placed them for adoption? Open adoption might be best for you.
- Semi-open adoption: If you want some level of communication from the adoptive family but want to remain anonymous, a semi-open adoption might be best for you. In a semi-open adoption, all communication occurs through a third party like the adoption agency, and no identifying information is shared. Instead, it all remains confidential.
- Closed adoption: For some women, closed adoption might be the best choice. Closed adoption allows for complete privacy and confidentiality. There will be no contact between the birth mother and the adoptive family. Some women choose this option if they feel a connection with their child is too painful or their child would not be safe. Today, only about 5% of US adoptions are closed.
If you are interested in adoption, Crossroads Life Center can provide information and referrals so you can learn more and decide if adoption is right for you.