Adoption as a pregnancy option
Questions to consider
- Before I was pregnant, what were my impressions of adoption based on my values and beliefs?
- Do I know what open adoption is?
- What qualities and type of relationship would I be seeking in an adoptive family?
- What is my relationship like with the other parent? Will they be involved? If so, in what ways?
- What are the expectations of my family and community?
- What are the pros and cons of choosing adoption?
Adoption resources
- Birth Mom Buds - Peer counseling, support, encouragement and friendship for pregnant women considering adoption or who have already placed children.
- The Impact of Adoption - From Child Welfare Information Gateway.
- Birth Father Rights - From the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys.
- Considering Adoption - From Planned Parenthood.
FAQs adoption pregnancy options
- Are your counselors biased toward adoption?
Although we have “adoption” in our agency name, our counselors are committed to providing unbiased, all-options counseling to all people who are pregnant or parenting. Our first priority when working with any pregnant person is to support them in exploring all of their options. The majority of people who access our counseling services do not ultimately choose to plan an adoption.
- Can I have a closed adoption?
Birth parents can request that their identity not be shared with adoptive parents in their adoption process, and their choice will be honored. We encourage people to share as much information about themselves as they feel comfortable in cases where they do not want direct contact, so that their child can still know about their birth family as they grow up. Truly closed adoptions are difficult to maintain today because of the many ways people find one another, including social media, DNA tests, and adoptees having the right to access parts of their adoption file (laws vary by state). This means that ongoing confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. A birth parent’s desire to know information about or to have a direct relationship with their child and the adoptive family may shift over time, which is also something that OA&FS would help support.
- Can I plan an adoption with a family I found on my own?
Yes, and we can support your adoption plan. Any adoptive family needs to have an approved homestudy.
- Can both parents be involved in the process?
Yes, we welcome the cooperation and participation of the non-pregnant parent. Ideally, both parents help choose the adoptive family, meet them, and develop ongoing relationships. Each birth parent can create a separate Open Adoption Agreement with the adoptive family. Adoptees benefit from knowing all parts of who they are.
- Does the father of my child need to consent to the adoption?
The legal rights of birth fathers vary from state to state, so the laws regarding consent will depend on where you and the prospective adoptive parents you choose live. A counselor can help you understand the legal aspects of your adoption, and you can consult with an independent attorney during the adoption planning process at no charge to you. At OA&FS, we believe that both parents should be involved in making the choice of adoption for their child when possible. Adoptees deserve to have access to information about and connections with both of their biological parents. We recognize that this is not always possible, and we are glad to talk more about your specific situation.