Everyone in the adoption process hopes to be known personally. You never want to be just a case number. Whether you’re a birth mother placing your child for adoption or an adoptive couple receiving a child, you need to be seen and heard. Being individually known is one of the many benefits of working with
Some situations in life can only be understood and discussed with others who have been through the same experience. Being a birth parent is one of those situations. Unless you have carried a child for nine months, placed them with other parents, and moved forward to find healing, you cannot understand the emotions felt. Connecting
Did a sibling, friend, or your partner just announce they are unexpectedly pregnant? You’re likely shocked but want to be supportive. How do you respond? What should you do? Research says approximately 45% of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. An unplanned or unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes frightening. To be
Those two words, “I’m pregnant,” can completely upend your world. You didn’t plan on hearing them until you were settled, maybe married, started your career, bought a house…later. Apparently, later is now. If your partner has announced that she’s pregnant, your first step is to let her know you’re with her. An unexpected pregnancy is
When you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and worried about finances, it can feel like your options are limited. Maybe you’ve thought, “I can’t afford this right now. Abortion feels like my only choice.” If that’s where you are, you’re not alone, and there are more possibilities than you might realize. At A Gift of Hope
In the midst of what should feel like a magical time of year, you could be feeling extreme stress and pressure over what to do. Do you parent, adopt, or abort? It may be the most significant decision you ever make. You might feel torn, wondering about your pregnancy, and wish you could just enjoy
Experiencing pressure from anyone to choose an abortion that you don’t want is overwhelming, but coming from your parents is even more difficult. You feel you have to listen to them, especially if you’re living at home. What if they kick you out or refuse to accept you and your pregnancy? The most important thing
Life isn’t as predictable as we’d like it to be. Things change in an instant. You can get laid off from work, injured in a car accident, or lose your lease on an apartment. When life throws us a curveball, we need to think ahead. For instance, if you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you need
Adoption is a lifetime decision, not a one-day event. It’s a serious choice that will affect you, your baby, and the adoptive family for the rest of your lives. You need to be confident that the couple raising your child will love and care for them the way you would if you could. While every
Choosing the adoptive family who will raise your child is the most important decision you make. Finding the right family gives you added peace and the assurance that you’ve made the best decision for you and your child. The couple you choose shapes your child’s future. They should share your values and want the same
Making a pregnancy decision, especially when your pregnancy was unexpected, can feel incredibly overwhelming. Some women wait days, weeks, or even months after their baby is born to choose adoption. There is always time to make an adoption plan. Almost every state requires a waiting period before a mother can sign the consent to adoption
We have good news. Despite taking drugs, some couples will want to adopt your baby, even if they are born with special needs. Although it is impossible to know the impact your drug use has had on your baby until after they are born, many services exist to help families care for babies exposed to
Nothing can be further from the truth. Although many women in the past may have been forced to, they never gave up on their children. When you choose adoption, you’re giving your child benefits they might not otherwise have. You’re giving them: A loving, caring family. A two-parent home with possible siblings. Better opportunities for
Placing your baby for adoption is not a one-time decision; it’s a lifetime commitment. You love your child and want the best for them, which may include another family raising them. As you consider whether adoption is the best solution, you must receive thorough adoption counseling. Understanding the process and the potential emotional consequences is
Expectant mothers who consider placing their child for adoption and potential adoptive parents worry about the cost. For an expectant mother or birth mother, it costs nothing to place your child for adoption. What’s more, the type of adoption usually determines the fees for adoptive parents. Let’s take a closer look. There’s No Cost for
Your first reaction when you find out you’re unexpectedly pregnant may be to get an abortion. No one will have to know about the pregnancy, right? But are you aware that there are potential physical and emotional risks with every abortion procedure? Get the facts so you can make a confident decision. Do This Before
Selecting the potential adoptive family for your baby is perhaps the most critical step in the adoption process. You’ve chosen to place your child for adoption because you want them to have a happy and secure life. By choosing their adoptive family, you’re shaping their future. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Adoptive parents have unique opportunities to celebrate special milestones with their adopted child. Here are three ways to honor and remember your child’s adoption, biological family, and the wonderful memories adoption creates. Celebrate “Gotcha Day” The excitement, relief, and anticipation that adoptive parents feel when the courts finalize their child’s adoption is a reason to
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an adoptive or birth parent or an adoptee; expectations abound in adoption. Giving everyone the freedom to voice those expectations is critical for healthy relationships. Here are a few strategies that may help mend some fences. It Is Okay to Have Boundaries Today, open or semi-open adoptions are the norm.
As you quietly shared the news about your pregnancy, your partner, a family member, or a friend most likely gave their opinion about what you should do. Usually, those closest to you offer their opinions because they care about you. But what do you do when an opinion feels like pressure? Having an abortion is