Walking through an unintended pregnancy can bring about intense feelings of worry, fear, and loneliness. From wondering which pregnancy option is right for you to fearing how people will react when they find out, it can be hard to know what to do or where to go in your time of need.
If this sounds like what you’re going through right now, pause and take a deep breath — you’re not alone! First Care Clinic is here to help empower and uplift you during this time and provide insight into your various pregnancy options.
If you’re considering adoption and want to learn more about this unique process, you’re in the right place. Adoption can be an incredibly empowering choice, and as a birth mother, you would be in the driver’s seat as you decide what’s best for you and the child!
One of the main ways you’ll have control over your adoption journey is by deciding what kind of adoption you want. There are three main types of adoptions — including open, semi-open, and confidential — and today, 95 percent of adoptions are open in some way.
What is an Open Adoption?
In an open adoption, the birth mother will not only be able to pick the family to place the child with, but she can also stay in touch with the child in some way.
The best part is you get to determine how “open” you would like your adoption to be. That includes deciding what type of communication you would like (whether in-person, over the phone, through letters, etc.) and how often that needs to happen.
An adoption agency will help you design the details of your adoption plan and advocate for you along the way.
In contrast, in a closed adoption, the birth mother and adoptive parents remain confidential to one another and there is no contact between the birth mother and child moving forward.
What are the Different Types of Open Adoptions?
As the birth mother, it can be a challenge to decide what type of adoption you would like to have and how open you would like your communication to be.
As you decide, it’s helpful to imagine the various forms of relationships you could choose. Some examples of contact include:
In-Person Visitations
Face-to-face visitations can be scheduled throughout the year so you can connect in person with the child. You will be able to specify how often this happens and if you’d like to have visitations on specific days (like birthdays or holidays) in your initial adoption contract. This option is great for birth mothers who are looking to remain as connected to the child as possible.
Talking Over Text, Calls, or Emails
You can decide to keep in contact via remote forms of communication like text, calls, emails, or video chats. This is a great option for birth mothers who are looking to keep in touch but aren’t interested in in-person visitations or feel as though face-to-face meetings would be too overwhelming.
Connecting Through Letters and Photos
If you’re not interested in in-person visits or consistent remote communication, you can opt to communicate through letters and photos. This is a great option for birth mothers who want to stay connected to the child from a distance. Some adoption agencies will even help coordinate these letters and photos to keep your address private if you’d like.
When it comes to creating your unique adoption plan, there’s no right or wrong answer and you will be empowered along the way to decide what’s best for yourself and the child.
learn more about adoption options
If you’re curious if adoption is the right option for you and your pregnancy, First Care Clinic is here to help. We’ll help guide you as you learn more about adoption and connect you with organizations that will walk alongside you on this journey!
To learn more, schedule a free appointment with us today!