Pregnant and Thinking of Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption?
5 Essential Steps of How the Adoption Process Works
Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be difficult and confusing. Your mind may be filled with questions and doubts. You are most likely overwhelmed with many feelings and emotions. Many women have stood in the same shoes and experienced the same emotional see-saw. Adoption may be the toughest choice you will ever make in your life. However, giving your baby up for adoption is also the most selfless choice a you may ever make.
Here are 5 basics steps that will help you as you make your choice:
Step 1 – Decide if Adoption is Right for You and Your Child
When you initially find out that you are pregnant and it is not planned you may just want a solution or a way out. But do not jump into anything.
Giving up a baby is a life-changing decision, take your time to feel and think before making any decisions.
Although you can change your mind anytime, it is best to make an informed choice before you too far.
Talk to adoption professionals to learn about the different adoption options and to get advice on how to move forward.
They understand what you must be going through and will educate you about the interests of you and your baby without pressure or judgment.
Step 2 – Creating an Adoption Plan
You should be able to create an adoption plan that centers on your individual needs and desires. You may not know all of the choices available to you but with the guidance of a trained adoption professional you will be able to explore all of the options available to you. They can help you explore your needs and preferences and they will help you locate an adoptive family that meets your needs.
You will be able to choose the family and decide how much contact you want with them. You can choose either an open or a closed adoption.
Step 3 – Finding an Adoptive Family
Once you decide that giving your baby up for adoption is the right choice you will be able to choose the family who you want to adopt your baby.
Finding the right family for your baby is the most important part of the adoption process. You will be able to choose from many prescreened waiting families and you will be able to decide who you feel will be the best parents for your child.
If there are specific things you hope for in a family you should be able to outline those needs and find a family that offers exactly what you are looking for.
Step 4 – Getting to Know the Adoptive Family
If you choose an open adoption, you will have the chance to get to know the adoptive parents and you will be able to share your dreams for the baby with them. You can personally see if the family matches your expectations and how they will nurture your child into the kind of person you want. Your meeting with adoptive parents will help you evaluate them and be more confident about your adoption choice
You will be able to decide just how much contact you want with the adoptive family after the birth. There are many levels of openness. Most women want to receive pictures and updates through the years and some want a much more open adoption that includes ongoing visits. It is important that the family you choose shares your desire for contact.
Some families are very open to visits and some are not. If you want ongoing visits it is important to communicate that with the family you choose. Be sure that they are willing to honor that desire.
Step 5 – Preparing for the Hospital Stay
Much like the adoption plan, a pregnant woman always has a say about their hospital stay. The adoption professional that is there to work with you throughout your pregnancy will listen to your needs, and prepare you for your hospital stay. They should help you prepare for all of the feelings and emotions that you may experience. Exploring the possible emotions and preparing before the delivery will make things much easier for you.
You will create a hospital plan and will be able to decide exactly how you want things to go at the hospital.
You can decide if you would like the adoptive parents to be in the room. You will also decide how much or how little contact you want with the baby. Some women want the baby with them and some do not even want to see the baby. Every woman is different and your needs and desires should be honored.
Hopefully, the article has highlighted all important aspects of the complete adoption procedure. In case of further questions about giving up a baby for adoption you can connect with adoption specialist and get the best adoption help.