I Want a Closed Adoption. Do Closed Adoptions Still Exist?

If you are currently experiencing a planned or unplanned pregnancy, or, if you recently gave birth to a baby and are considering adoption, you’ve likely seen a lot of information about Open Adoption while doing research or even on TV. While the adoptions you read about or hear about may tend to be Open Adoptions. While this may be something you are interested in, you may also be wondering if closed adoption is an option for you, and if a Closed Adoption is still an option today.

Differences Between Open, Semi-Open and Closed Adoptions

Before discussing the availability of the different types of adoptions, it’s important to understand how each of these options differ from each other.

Open Adoption

Open Adoption is when the Birth Mother and or Birth Families and Adoptive Family stay in contact with one another after the adoption placement occurs through letters, phone calls, and visits. Pregnant women or Birth Mothers who choose Open Adoption are interested in keeping up and maintaining a relationship with their child and his/her adoptive parents. One of the benefits of Open Adoption is knowing how your child is doing. How to stay in contact and how often contact takes place is something potential Birth Mothers will discuss with their counselor or social worker as well as the chosen family ahead of time. If working with Open Arms Adoption though, this is something that you have the option to adjust over time, depending on what feels right to you. After your child’s birth you might feel differently about the amount of contact you would like with the family. Choosing the family is also something that you can have with an Open Adoption, but is not required– should you prefer to not choose the Adoptive Family, that is fine, too. An Open Arms counselor will be happy to help you with this decision, with no pressure from us.

Semi-Open Adoption

In a Semi-Open Adoption, the Birth Mom has contact with the adoptive family and baby but with the extra help and guidance of Open Arms Adoption. The adoption agency will act as an intermediary between the Birth and Adoptive Families, as there is no direct contact between them, and contact information is not exchanged in a Semi-Open Adoption. Semi Open Adoption can be a good option for Birth Moms whoon might want to maintain their privacy while still having the peace of mind that comes from staying connected, through photos, letters and/or visits but with the mediation help of Open Arms Adoption professionals. Semi-Open Adoption with Open Arms can also change over time, for instance, if you would like limited contact through the agency initially but decide that you would like direct contact in the future when you feel ready, we can assist you with that. It is completely your decision and this is your adoption plan.

Confidential or Closed Adoption

A “Closed” or Confidential Adoption offers complete privacy and confidentiality to both sides, and no identifying information is shared in a Confidential Adoption. Should the expectant parent(s) or Prospective Birth Mother feel that maininting contact and and receiving information will be too difficult, a Confidential/Closed Adoption may be a good fit. Some women find openness to be too emotionally difficult in the beginning so they consider a Closed Adoption. Even with a Confidential/ Closed Adoption, there is a lot of flexibility regarding the level of openness in the adoption, and if a birth mother decides she wants to connect with the adoptive family at any time in the future, Open Arms Adoption will happily assist all parties through that process- the Birth Mom, the Adoptive Family and the child. It’s not ususual for Prospective Birth Parents to start off preferring a closed aodption, as they are looking for a sense of closure, and Closed Adoption feels less emotional. Often though, depending on the circumstances, Biological Families would like information about the baby as time goes on, which we can absolutely arrange. We are there for you for the life of your adoption, no matter which type you ultimately choose.

Your Adoption Options

Now that you know more about the types of adoption, you may have gained a better sense of how you feel, and if adoption is an option you would like to consider, and if so, which type of adoption you may be interested in. Your counselor from Open Arms Adoption is here to support you throughout this process, no matter which route you choose, and we will be there for you the entire time. We will help you determine what is in the best interest of you and your baby, and what type of relationship you would like with the adoptive family and your adopted child. Adoption today has many options so that you feel good about your plan.

Is Confidential Adoption Right for You?

While open adoptions are increasingly common, many Birth Parents still prefer the idea of a Closed Adoption. As explained above, that means that your information remains confidential from the adoptive family and the baby. They won’t know your name, where you live, or anything about you that you do not prefer that they know. You won’t receive photos or updates unless you expressly request them.

Just like open adoption, closed adoption is a spectrum and has varying levels. You may really want to be able to choose a family to adopt your baby—this is possible even while maintaining your confidentiality. You can also request a photo or an update with no further obligation to keep in touch with the adoptive family.

At Open Arms, we take your decision for a closed adoption very seriously. We will do everything in our power to protect your privacy if you choose this type of adoption. If you wish not to be contacted by the agency again after your adoption takes place, we will honor that request while ensuring that we are always available should you ever decide to reach out down the road.

If you ultimately choose a Closed adoption, Open Arms will never pressure you to change your mind. However, if you do decide later on that you are interested in a more open adoption, our adoption counselors will be available to support you and explain to you what that could look like. There will be a lifetime of photos and letters for you if you ever want them.

Learn More about Adoption and Working with Open Arms Adoption

Our adoption counselors are here to provide you with non-judgmental, non-coercive support anytime. If you are interested in learning more about adoption or want to view some of our waiting families, we are available to speak with you 24 hours a day at 1-888-OPENARMS text, email, facetime, whatsapp or duo, and we are happy to meet you at a location of your choice to talk about the adoption process and to answer all of your questions. Talk to an adoption counselor today. You will never feel any pressure from us along the way. We can help you on the next steps to learn more about the adoption process.