Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption
Experiencing unplanned pregnancy can feel challenging even in the best circumstances. While it’s undeniable that this experience will change your life, you have options.
Contact an adoption professional today if you’re considering adoption and want to learn about the process.
Remember: You aren’t alone, and there are resources that can help you. Continue reading our guide to learn more about your unplanned pregnancy options.
What are My Options When Considering Adoption for My Baby? [Your 3 Choices]
Most women in the United States have three unplanned pregnancy choices — depending on where they live.
Considering Parenting
If you feel ready to parent your child, you absolutely can. You’re the only one who can make this call for yourself.
There’s a lot to consider about becoming a parent (or adding to your family), but if you’re ready and willing to take it on, no one should ever attempt to convince you otherwise.
However, if you aren’t sure you’re ready to parent or add to your family, you have two additional unplanned pregnancy options to consider.
Considering Adoption
If you are considering adoption for your baby, you may already know a little bit about the benefits of adoption. For example:
- Your child will be able to grow up in a home that’s financially and emotionally prepared for parenting
- You’ll be able to receive financial assistance for the duration of your pregnancy
- You’ll be able to continue to pursue your own goals while knowing your baby is happy, safe, and loved
At this phase in your pregnancy, you may be wondering how to start your adoption journey. We’ll detail the adoption process in the next section. You can also contact an adoption professional today to get free help.
Considering Abortion
If you’re not sure that you’re ready to parent a baby and don’t want to carry a pregnancy, abortion may be an option for you. It’s essential to research the laws regarding abortion in your state and ensure that you use only reliable resources like Planned Parenthood or the Guttmacher Institute to get this information.
If You’re Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption, Here’s What You Can Expect
If you’re considering adoption, a great place to start your research is by reaching out to an adoption agency professional.
You can choose to work with two different types of adoption agencies when you’re considering adoption:
- Local or regional adoption agency: An agency that works with prospective birth mothers and hopeful adoptive families in your state or region. Although these agencies don’t have the reach national agencies have, you will likely be able to work with your professional in person.
- National adoption agency: An agency that works with prospective birth mothers and hopeful adoptive families throughout the United States. While you may not meet your adoption professional in person, you will likely have access to more resources at a national agency.
An adoption professional will give you all the information you need to help you when you’re pregnant and thinking about adoption.
After you decide that adoption is the right choice for your situation and begin to work with an adoption agency, you and your adoption professional will start to plan your adoption journey.
Step 1: Create an Adoption Plan With Your Adoption Professional
Adoption agencies provide essential services to prospective birth mothers who are considering adoption.
With the help of an agency, you’ll create a plan for your adoption. This includes things like the following:
- Type of family you want to adopt your baby
- Level of openness you want after placement
- Where you want to go for labor and delivery
- And more
Your adoption professional will answer any questions about what to do when you are thinking about adoption. They are here to make the process go smoothly.
Step 2: Pick an Adoptive Family
Considering adoption and then choosing it for your baby involves one especially important decision: Picking the adoptive family.
When you’re a prospective birth mother, you’ll look through adoptive family profiles to find the family with the qualities you admire.
Once you’ve narrowed your choices to two or three families, you can ask your adoption professional to schedule a phone call so everyone can talk.
Once you feel a sense of certainty, you can decide who will raise your baby. You’ll have the opportunity to get to know the adoptive parents and build a relationship with them during your pregnancy before finalizing the adoption.
Step 3: Complete the Adoption Process
This is the moment that thinking about adoption becomes a reality! When you go into labor, your adoption professional will follow your hospital plan.
After birth, you’ll complete the adoption paperwork, allowing the baby to be placed with the adoptive parents.
Start Your Adoption Journey
Putting an infant up for adoption is a unique journey. Your process will have twists and turns, but your adoption professional will help you through every step.
If you still find yourself thinking, “I’m considering adoption for my baby, but I’m not sure what to do,” you can reach out to an adoption professional today.