Adoption has changed dramatically over the last few decades. Now, the birth mother (and father, if available) makes all the decisions. Although choosing to make an adoption plan isn’t easy, depending on your circumstances, it could be the best decision for you and your baby.
What Does Adoption Look Like?
Adoption is the legal transfer of all parental rights and responsibilities from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. It isn’t co-parenting.
Today, placing your child for adoption means you select the adoptive family who raises them, and you can continue a relationship with your child long after finalization.
Making an adoption plan isn’t “giving up your baby.” On the contrary, you’re giving your child a chance at a better life and future than you can provide.
3 Adoption Plans to Choose From
You create an individual adoption plan that’s right for you. The plan you choose determines the amount of contact you hope to have with your child and their adoptive family. Let’s take a closer look at each:
Open Adoption
An open adoption allows you and the adoptive family to communicate directly. You exchange phone numbers, email addresses, or physical addresses to stay in touch. Together, you set up the type and amount of contact you are both comfortable with.
Semi-Open Adoption
This adoption plan is also known as a mediated plan. It allows for contact, but all communication goes through your adoption coordinator first. Thus, you have contact but also more privacy.
Closed Adoption
What used to be the only adoption plan available is now rarely used. A closed adoption means you and the adoptive family have no contact. The courts seal all adoption records, and you remain completely anonymous.
An Expectant or Birth Mother’s Rights
As an expectant woman considering adoption or a birth mother choosing adoption, you have certain rights. Choose an agency that provides you with the following:
- The right to have the adoption process explained to you thoroughly.
- The right to consider making an adoption plan without coercion or manipulation.
- The right to review portfolios and select the couple who raises your child.
- The right to give your child the future you want them to have.
- The right to have the amount of contact with the adoptive family that you wish to have.
- The right to receive all adoption services at no cost.
- The right to have your medical and legal expenses taken care of.
- The right to receive other pregnancy-related expenses, as allowed by law.
- The right to create a hospital plan for you and the adoptive family.
- The right to change your mind anytime until you sign legal adoption papers.
Discuss This Option With Us
Although Alpha Women’s Center is not a licensed child-placing agency, we can provide referrals for reputable adoption agencies in our area. Let’s discuss this option further to see if placing your child for adoption is right for you. We want what’s best for you and your baby.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment today.
