Considering placing a baby for adoption? Start here

If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, it’s natural to be uncertain about your next steps. Some women are certain from the start about placing a baby for adoption. Others are hesitant to give a baby up for adoption, but are also unsure if they are ready for motherhood. One thing is certain: You do have time to decide. Nobody should pressure you to choose one option over another. If you’re exploring Florida adoption agencies, we encourage you to reach out to our experienced counseling team for objective information about all of your options.

Why would a woman give up a baby for adoption?

First, think of adoption not as “giving up” your baby, but as placing your baby into a loving family and a stable, abundant future.

There are many reasons that a pregnant woman might consider placing a baby for adoption.

• Financial instability
• Lack of support from the baby’s father or family members
• Age and maturity level
• Housing or relationship insecurity
• Educational or career aspirations
• Addiction
• Open case with Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)

It may make the decision easier to know what many people don’t realize: Today’s adoption is different from the secretive, closed adoptions of the past. Modern adoption would allow you to be an ongoing part of your child’s life, in whatever way feels comfortable to you. You would have control over what your future relationship with your child will look like. While closed adoptions are still possible, adoption today doesn’t have to be a permanent goodbye.

How do I decide about placing a baby for adoption?

For some women, placing a baby for adoption is a difficult but necessary choice. For many, it all just feels confusing, and making a decision feels impossible.

Focusing on what is best for the child can help you come to a decision that brings you peace of mind. Often, what is best for the child is to be raised by the family he or she was born into. However, that’s not always possible for every child and every family. Adoption allows you to choose your child’s parents, so you will always know that your baby will be loved and cared for by people you trust. It is a selfless gift of love for your baby to want a secure future for him or her.

It’s important to realistically assess your situation, and think carefully about what you are able to provide to your child. Do you have a safe, stable home in which to raise a child? Are there others in your life whom you can trust to help with money, childcare or other necessities? Do you feel safe and secure in your own life right now, and if not, what might happen if you bring a baby into your situation? Our counselors can walk you through all of these scenarios, so that you can make a decision based on realities, not just emotion.

Our counselors also recommend that you gather all the information you can about all of the options in front of you. If you are considering keeping your baby, it helps to know about all of the expenses you can expect during the baby’s first year of life, and beyond. Many new mothers are surprised by the amount of time, money and energy that goes into raising a newborn, especially when they must do it on their own.

At the same time, if you are considering adoption, get all the details about how modern adoption works. Many expecting parents are unaware that they have so much control over the process, from choosing the baby’s future parents, to making a birth plan and deciding how much contact they will have with their child going forward. There is never any cost to the pregnant mother who chooses adoption, and in fact, expenses associated with pregnancy and birth will be taken care of for you.

Reach out to speak with our experienced counselors

Among Florida adoption agencies, we pride ourselves on our knowledgeable, objective counseling team. These trained professionals will never pressure you to choose adoption. Instead, we will provide the information and support you need to decide between parenting and placing a baby for adoption. Reach out to us today to start the conversation.