Should I Put My Baby Up For Adoption? [Updated 2021]

Whether you’re pregnant or have just given birth you might be feeling like now is not the right time to a parent a new baby. If you are interested in learning more about making an adoption plan or giving your child up for adoption with Open Arms, check out some of the Open Arms’ waiting adoptive families who are prepared, approved and ready to be a parent right now. Our prospective adoptive parents are thoroughly screened and are passionate and excited about adopting. No matter what the circumstances are that are making you consider an adoption plan, Open Arms is here to help you along the way. There is no judgement from Open Arms, only understanding and support.

24/7 Adoption Agency Support

After contacting us initially, one of our counselors will meet with you in person or speak with you by phone/text/email to learn what is going on with you and and learn more about your situation. We will provide counseling and talk to you about all of your options, not just adoption. We will also discuss the ideas of parenting and termination, and support you no matter which option you choose.

While exploring the idea of adoption, your Adoption Counselor will explain all of the types of adoption available to you. There are different types of adoptions that you might choose such as an Open adoption, a Semi-Open Adoption, or a Confidential/Closed Adoption. The adoption process will vary slightly depending on the type of adoption you prefer. The type of adoption you choose will determine the amount of information and communication you have with the adoptive family and baby after the adoption. You can then choose to move forward with the type of adoption that you feel most comfortable with as the Birth Mother. However, you have the option to change your mind regarding what kind of adoption you would like—at any point in the future. This decision is yours to make and we will support you if you would like to adjust the type or amount of contact that you would like with your child and the adoptive family in the future. Our hope as the adoption agency is to make sure that you feel supported throughout the entire process, never pressured, and feel like you are receiving the guidance you need in order to choose the option that will give your baby the best life you can. The “right choice” may not end up being adoption, and that is fine!

Why Adoption May Be Right for You

There may be several reasons that you are considering adoption for your baby. Reasons such as you may not live a lifestyle that you feel is one that can raise a baby. Or, you may be parenting older children and have your hands full, feeling as though bringing home another baby might make life to difficult for all of you. You may just not want to be a mom. It could be any of these reasons or other factors in your life that make you feel as though parenting this new baby is not what you feel is best right now, for you or your baby. As an expectant mother, that is your right, and you are the one who will be caring for this child if you decide to parent.

If you are feeling as though parenting this new baby is not in your best interest right now, adoption might be an option worth considering. Adoption is an option that will allow you to maintain the pregnancy (if that is what you prefer, no pressure,) but ultimately not be the one to take care of this child. Adoption will give you control over your decision, and allow you to choose the baby’s adoptive parents, if that is what you prefer.

Understanding Your Adoption Options

Adoption also gives you the opportunity to stay in touch with your child and receive letters and updates from the family, or stay in contact through your social worker, if direct contact stirs up too many difficult emotions. An adoption where you are in touch directly with the family is called an Open Adoption. In an Open Adoption, you can have visits and get-togethers, with updates in-between the times that you all see each other.

If you prefer a bit more privacy, a Semi-Open Adoption may be a good fit for you. Semi-Open Adoption allows you receive updates from the family on your child and their growth, but your counselor will act as an intermediary. This way, you have the space that you need but still feel good about how your baby is doing.

Should you want complete privacy with no contact or updates from the baby’s adoptive parents whatsoever, Confidential or “Closed” Adoption might be best for you.

How Adoptive Families Prepare to Adopt

Something you might be wondering about now is who are these waiting adoptive families and how do they prepare to adopt a baby? The answer is they go through quite a process before they become a waiting family. Once a family decides that they would like to adopt, they must complete all sorts of paperwork as their first step in the process. States require all sorts of background checks, clearances, and an adoption professional to visit with them in their home multiple times in order to write a report about them called a “home study.” After all of the paperwork and the home study, at that point, an Open Arms Waiting Family would create an adoptive family profile. Profiles are what we use to show prospective birth mothers so that they can choose a family for their baby.

In addition to the legal process, families who work with Open Arms Adoption have an educational process to go through as well. We require families to learn all about adoption, how to speak about it, about taking care of newborns, substance exposure, how to prepare for meeting with a birth mom, and more. We do all that we can to prepare families for the process of adoption a baby.

Learn More About Adoption Without Pressure

Based on what you have learned about adoption, you might still be wondering if adoption is the right choice for you. There are many factors to explore with this decision, such as what is your relationship with the baby’s Birth Father? Or, do you have family members that you might like to raise the baby? You may know someone in your life who would be a good fit to raise your baby. If not though, adoption may be a good fit, and give you an opportunity to make sure that you baby is raised in a loving home, with a family that you feel good about. The good thing is, you can choose to contact Open Arms today, without any pressure to move forward.

If you feel ready to learn more about domestic adoption, you can call us at 1-888-OPENARMS and speak to a counselor, who will help you through all of your options. We can offer in-person visits, or talk to you on zoom, facetime, or skype. Your preferences are what we will honor, and we will offer you the adoption information and support you so that you feel good about your decision. Should you need other resources, such as for parenting or financial resources, we can assist you with those as well. You will never feel as supported and cared for like you will with Open Arms Adoption.