Is an Open Adoption Agency for You?

An unplanned pregnancy can bring about a range of emotions and life-changing decisions. If you are not ready to become a parent just yet, you may be considering adoption for your baby. Making an adoption plan requires both courage and commitment. It is also one of the most loving and selfless sacrifices you can make for your child at this time. Rest assured you have options. If you are considering adoption for your baby, you may have heard about the possibility to make an open adoption plan. What is an open adoption, exactly, and is it right for you? As an open adoption agency offering all types of adoption plans, Adoptions With Love wants to help you understand your options and help you decide whether open adoption is the best path for you and your baby.

What is an Open Adoption?

An open adoption can take on different meanings to different people. For some expectant/birth mothers, it simply means meeting and having contact with the adoptive parents before the baby’s birth. For others, it involves keeping in touch for many years after the adoption is complete. Many women establish a relationship with the adoptive parents before the baby is born and invite them to attend the birth. Sometimes, an open adoption involves contact through letters and pictures, phone calls, emails, or Skype. In some cases, the birth mother will have in-person visits with the families after the birth.

In general, the main components that describe an open adoption include:

• Swapping basic contact information – In a fully open adoption, you and your child’s family will have one another’s last names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
• Pre-placement contact with adoptive family. Should you decide to meet your baby’s adoptive family before the birth, they will come meet you at your convenience, wherever is comfortable for you. Or, if you prefer, you can set up some time to talk to them on the phone and get to know one another.
• Post-placement contact arrangements for ongoing communication. Many open adoptions involve ongoing, post-adoption contact between the birth and adoptive family. As an expectant/birth mother, this is your choice. In your open adoption agreement, you may wish to exchange letters and pictures only, or have ongoing phone calls, emails, and in-person visits.

There is no right or wrong way to determine which option is best for you. It is your choice to decide how much or how little you would like to communicate with the adoptive parents. At Adoptions With Love, an experienced and caring social worker can help you decide which path is right for you.

The Perks of an Open Adoption

If you are considering an open adoption, it can be helpful to know the benefits of an open adoption plan. Some expectant/birth mothers find comfort in open adoption. While it can be an emotional process, just knowing there is an option for post-placement contact (the chance to see/speak to her child again) can help a mother come to terms with this decision. For many birth mothers, open adoption brings peace of mind just knowing how their child is growing and developing. Open adoption can also serve as a reminder of the incredible gift that you have given to your child – a supportive, dedicated family and a life of opportunity. Open adoption can also be a great choice for the child. Research shows that open adoption has a positive impact on a child throughout his or her life.

While there are many perks to choosing an open adoption, not everyone finds it to be the best choice. This is why, as an open adoption agency, Adoptions With Love offers a range of contact options, including semi-open and closed adoption plans.

Making a Plan That Works for You

Adoption With Love is a non-profit, open adoption agency that offers open adoptions, closed adoptions, and everything in between. As an expectant/birth mother, you can enjoy this flexibility because it means making a choice that caters to your own life and wishes. While some birth mothers feel a strong desire to maintain an open or semi-open adoption, others may not. Some birth mothers feel more equipped for a closed adoption. There is no right or wrong answer. This is your choice. Just like no two people are alike, no two adoptions are exactly the same. At Adoptions With Love, we take the time to sit with you to discuss your wishes, needs, and adoption plan. We can help you determine which plan is best for you and your baby. We will also set up any desired communication in the most comfortable way possible.

Post-Placement Care

After the adoption process is complete, Adoptions With Love will keep in contact with you. Whether you choose an open adoption, a semi-open adoption, or a closed adoption plan, we will always be here for you. Adoptions With Love offers free, ongoing counseling and emotional support for birth mothers who courageously made an adoption plan. Adoption is an emotional journey that can be a lifelong process. We want to ensure you have the best experience possible, and that you get the care that you need.

To learn more about making an adoption plan, you may call Adoptions With Love at 1-800-722-7731 or text us confidentially at 1-617-777-0072.  We are available ‘round the clock to answer your questions and educate you on your options.  If you would like more information about open adoption, please download our free Guide to Open Adoption.