Pregnant and considering adoption? Know your adoption options

Today, adopted children grow up with peace of mind, thanks to modern adoption. Today’s adoption options include both open and closed adoption. As a parent considering placing a baby for adoption, it’s important to understand all of your adoption options. We offer help with adoptions in Florida, providing the information and support you may need to decide about your next steps.

Exploring adoption options

If you’re unexpectedly pregnant, it’s wise to take the time you need to learn everything you can about the choices ahead of you. For most people, it comes down to two choices: parenting or placing the baby for adoption by a loving family. If you’re considering adoption, you’ll have additional choices to make, including deciding between open and closed adoption.

What is the difference between open and closed adoption? With closed adoption, the baby’s mother and father have no contact with the child going forward, and the child does not know who their biological parents are. With modern open adoption, the child grows up with some level of contact with their parents and has the chance to know their birth story.

With modern adoption options, the baby’s mother and father are empowered to create an adoption plan that respects their preferences. Those who choose open adoption can decide what role they would like to play in their child’s life. For example, some parents wish to receive updates and photographs from the adoptive family, while others want to keep the lines of communication open with letters, phone calls, texts or a private communication portal online. Some adoption agreements allow for exchanging gifts on birthdays and holidays, or even for in-person visits.  

These decisions will be entirely up to you if you choose adoption for your baby. Our experienced counselors can help you create an adoption plan that is best for your child and gives you peace of mind for your own future, too.

• You will choose your baby’s parents. Our waiting families create wonderful, detailed profiles with photos and video so you can learn all about them, and you can meet them in person before you make your choice.
• You will get the support you need. Pregnancy can be challenging, and we are here to help make sure that you have the financial, emotional and medical resources that you need. This may include help with living expenses and necessities such as maternity clothing, as well as complete medical care for a healthy pregnancy, birth and recovery.
• Your birth, your way. We will help you create a personalized birth plan for your hospital stay. You’ll decide who will be present at the birth, how much time you need alone with your baby, and other important elements that are important to you in regard to your delivery.
• You decide how much contact to have going forward. Your adoption agreement will solidify your decisions about what future contact with your child and their family will be like. You can choose the level of contact you are comfortable with, which can bring great peace of mind as you move into the next phase of your life after delivery.
• Last-minute adoption is always an option. For some women, reality sets in after the baby is born. Maybe the baby is at risk of being removed by DCF. We can be by your side at a moment’s notice, helping you take control of your baby’s future if you wish to pursue a voluntary adoption plan.

Weighing open and closed adoption

When considering open and closed adoption, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each. While closed adoption is still an option, and may give you the closure and privacy you need, studies have shown that open adoption helps children grow up healthy and happy. These children have a chance to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, surrounded by love on all sides, understanding where they came from and why their parents chose a wonderful family for them.

Our counselors can help you understand all of the adoption options available to you, and will respect your decisions and help you create a plan that works best for you and your child. Contact us to learn more about your adoption options and get help with adoption in Florida.