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An unplanned pregnancy is never easy. Sometimes it can feel as though your entire world has been flipped upside down. If you are living in Tennessee and facing this situation, you may be considering your options. An open adoption in Tennessee may be one of those options.
Today, one of the most popular types of adoption plans is an open adoption. A Tennessee open adoption can offer many benefits for expectant/birth parents. With the support of a reputable Tennessee adoption agency, you can get the support and guidance you need every step of the way.
As you consider your options, continue reading. This short guide will share what a Tennessee open adoption can mean for you, how it works, and the benefits that come along with this loving choice.
What is Open Adoption in Tennessee?
Adoption plans are as unique as you and your pregnancy. With an open adoption in Tennessee, there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive parents. This means the conversations continue after the adoption is complete. As the expectant/birth parent, you can determine how that conversation will look. You can choose the form and frequency of contact. You may want to exchange communication every month, several times per year, or just once per year. You can decide whether to engage in:
- Email updates
- In-person reunions
- Phone calls
- Text messages, or
- Virtual calls
When it comes to designing a Tennessee open adoption, there is no right or wrong choice. Communication is based on your comfort level. The choices are all yours.
Open adoption in Tennessee also gives you the right to choose your child’s adoptive family. Expectant/birth parents can browse the adoptive profiles of couples and individuals who are ready to adopt. Your Tennessee adoption agency can help you arrange this introductory discussion – either in-person, on a virtual call, or on a phone call.
How Open Adoption Works in Tennessee
In a successful Tennessee open adoption plan, both birth and adoptive parents agree to the terms of the plan. The two parties work together for the benefit of their child. This means that everyone involved in the adoption – including the child – participates in the reconnection over the years.
The most important starting point for successful open adoption in Tennessee is the adoption agency. This professional works with you from the moment you begin your adoption journey and stays with you for years to come. This should be a Tennessee open adoption agency in which you should trust and with whom you should be comfortable.
At Adoptions With Love, for example, expectant/birth parents can rest assured their child is going to a safe, stable, and loving home. This is ensured with the Home Study. The thorough screening process takes adoptive parents months to complete. It includes a thorough background check, at-home interviews, and the submission of important medical and financial records. The Home Study proves that each adoptive parent is healthy enough – physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially – to raise a child.
Once you have chosen your child’s adoptive family, you can begin to design your adoption plan. With the assistance of your Tennessee open adoption agency, you can custom-build a plan that will help you feel comfortable with – and confident in – your decision for adoption placement. The best Tennessee adoption agency will help you with this process, without putting any pressure on you. Your needs and concerns should be considered a top priority, and you should feel valued, respected, and loved throughout the entire process.
According to Tennessee adoption laws, birth parents must wait at least 72 hours after birth (3 days) to consent to the adoption, a legal decision that voluntarily revokes their parental rights. This consent must be made in front of a judge. After a formal court appearance, there is a three-day revocation window. Once consent is given, and three business days have passed, the decision is irreversible. The wait period for consent helps give birth parents the chance to recover from birth, get to know their child, and consider their decision before making it official. Adoptions With Love urges all birth parents to take all the time they need before consenting to adoption. It is never too late to make an adoption plan.
Learn More About Adoption Plans
Post-Adoption Contact Agreements
The post-adoption contact agreement (PACA) is a legal document. It is enforceable by law and must be upheld by all participating parties. This means that both birth and adoptive parents who sign the PACA must agree to respect and abide by the terms of the adoption plan.
The best Tennessee open adoption agencies will support everyone involved in the adoption triad. This can involve arranged discussions that the adoption professional participates in and other communication support. The adoption agency can also help both parties navigate the uncharted waters of building new relationships.
While the post-adoption contact agreement is a legally binding contract, it can also be changed over the years. This can help support the changing needs of a growing child and evolving relationships between birth and adoptive parents.
Varying Degrees of Openness
While an open adoption in Tennessee is a positive choice, it does not mean it is the only choice. You may like the idea of choosing your child’s adoptive family and staying connected over the years, but you may not like the idea of direct contact with your child’s adoptive parents. Some birth parents find it difficult to connect with their child’s adoptive parents, simply because they are still healing from the emotional and physical impact of the birth and adoption process.
If you are hesitant about direct contact, that is okay. You may be more comfortable with a semi-open adoption. A semi-open adoption plan gives you access to your child’s updates and photos with the adoption agency serving as a liaison. For some birth parents, this type of plan is the best of both worlds, providing a buffer between yourself and the adoptive parents that you need.
Steps to Open Adoption in Tennessee
As you consider your options, you may be interested in learning more about the process of making an open adoption plan. Here is a brief breakdown of the steps you can take to make a Tennessee adoption plan:
- Determine whether adoption is right for you.
- Choose your Tennessee open adoption agency.
- Pursue professional counseling services, provided – at no cost – by your adoption agency.
- Select your child’s adoptive family.
- Custom-design your adoption plan with the support of your adoption agency.
- Learn about Tennessee open adoption laws, with the support of your adoption agency.
- Prepare for birth.
- Consider your decision again after giving birth.
- Sign consent forms and place your baby with their adoptive family.
- Make plans to stay connected.
- Continue to seek free counseling with your adoption agency as you recover.
Learn More About Open Adoption in Tennessee
As you consider a Tennessee open adoption for your child, you can contact Adoptions With Love today to learn more. Whether you have just learned of your pregnancy or have already given birth, it is never too late to reach out and get commitment-free information.
Call 800-722-7731, text (confidentially) 617-777-0072, or contact us online any time. We can help you design an open adoption plan that meets your needs and walk you through the adoption process every step of the way.
