When a woman finds out she is unexpectantly pregnant, she is flooded with a lot of emotions. Maybe she is scared or anxious, unsure of what to do. Maybe she knows she is not at a place in her life where she can financially afford to raise a child on her own. Maybe she is not ready for the lifelong commitment raising a child involves. Whatever she is feeling, Care Net Pregnancy Centers of Albuquerque is here to help her work through her feelings in a safe and judgment-free environment.
Women who already have decided they cannot raise their children have other options. Abortion is one of them, but it is not the only choice. If abortion is a choice you and your partner do not think you can choose, adoption is another consideration. Healthy women who can carry a pregnancy to term may wish to think about adoption.
Reasons to consider adoption
There are many reasons that women opt for adoption when facing an unexpected pregnancy. Here are some of the most common:
- They are not ready to be parents.
- They do not want to be parents.
- They are lacking financial stability.
- They do not want to be a single parent.
- They do not have a good relationship with the baby’s father.
- They are lacking a strong support system.
Some women may realize they are not ready for parenting, but also are unwilling to consider an abortion. Adoption is a perfect solution.
Types of adoption
There are four different types of adoption plans available to mothers considering this pregnancy option.
- Open adoptions allow the birth mother and the adoptive family to have an ongoing relationship. Contact is maintained through pre-agreed methods such as letter writing, phone calls, and visitation. Open adoptions often are the best option for the child, who may have questions about their adoption as they get older. It also provides convenient access to information about medical history and ethnicity.
- Semi-open adoptions generally allow for the birth mother and adoptive family to meet. Ongoing contact with the adoptive family and birth child is not as common as it is with open adoption.
- Semi-closed adoptions grant the birth mother the ability to choose her child’s adoptive parents. Birth mothers have access to profiles and information about prospective adoptive families on which to base her decision. There is no contact between the birth mother and the adoptive family.
- Closed adoptions offer the most confidentiality to both the birth mother and adoptive family. No information about either is shared with the other. An adoption agency is tasked with the responsibility of placing your baby with an adoptive family. Each adoption agency has its own rules for qualifying as an adoptive family.
What happens after choosing adoption?
It is important to understand that adoption is a permanent, legal process. Once you make the decision to place your baby with another family and sign the paperwork finalizing that choice, there is no undoing it. For this reason, women need to be certain adoption is an alternative they can live with for the rest of their lives.
Some adoptive families encourage and support the birth mother’s involvement in the child’s life. Others may prefer there is no contact with the birth mother unless and until the child decides he or she wants it. You have an active role in the adoption process. We can help ensure your best interests are considered throughout the adoption procedure.
Adoption education services
We offer pre-adoption and post-adoption education services to women considering adoption as a pregnancy solution. Our adoption education services are designed to provide the following supports:
- Navigation through the adoption process
- Access to a support advocate
- Opportunity to fully explore your thoughts and feelings
Women who are struggling with their decision to adopt may need ongoing support. We are here to help. Reach out to us today to learn more about adoption as a pregnancy option.
