Why Do Women Choose Adoption?

• You’re not ready to be a mom
• You can’t count on support from the baby’s father
• Cannot afford another child
• Plans to attend college
• Desire for a two-parent family
• Rape or incest
• Prior involvement with Child Protective Services or use of drugs

The option of adoption can be very rewarding for you, your baby, and an adoptive couple.
It is a great idea to contact an adoption professional and ask questions. You want to know what your specific options are and what to expect throughout the process. Different parts of the process vary among states, so make sure to research your state’s laws.

The basic steps of the adoption process are as follows:

• Choose the type of adoption (closed, semi-open, open)
• Select an agency, attorney, or facilitator
• Review prospective adoptive families (possibly meet and interview them)
• Select an adoptive family, wait for their acceptance, and sign consent/intent for adoption papers
• Deliver your baby and sign termination/relinquishment of parental rights papers (24-48 hours after birth, depends on state)

What is the first step in the adoption process?
You will need to decide whether to place your baby for adoption through a private or public agency. As you examine these options, you will discover there are advantages and disadvantages to each, so take your time and be thorough in your research. You may want to consider Lifetime Adoption which specializes in providing adoption services in the United States; and Bethany Christian Services provides services in the US and internationally.

What should I expect when I go to the adoption agency?
The agency will meet with you to help you sort through your options for adoption and help decide if adoption is a good fit for you. They will discuss your reasons for seeking adoption, ask for a thorough medical history (and will keep up on tests during your pregnancy), and determine your preferences in terms of an adoptive family. They will also discuss how the process would be paid for and what the contracts and/or agreements look like.

How much will an adoption cost me/is it free?
Likely, you will not have to pay for most of your own costs. Often it is the adoptive family or financial assistance from the agency that will pay your medical bills. You need to discuss this specifically with whatever agency or adoption professional you choose. Financial help could include legal fees, living expenses, medical bills, counseling fees, etc.

What if the birth father is against an adoption?
If the birth father does not want to go through with the adoption but the birth mother does, he will have to register with your state’s Putative Father Registry (may have different names in different states) anytime during the pregnancy or 5-30 days (depends on the state) after the birth. He must then file a formal written objection to the adoption and present an alternative parenting plan in court. He will need an attorney for this process, and he is not guaranteed success.

I’m a minor. Will my parents have to sign off on the adoption?
In most states, the answer is no. In those states, your parents cannot prevent the adoption from taking place, though if they desired and you agreed, they could choose to adopt the child. They would, however, have to go through the same process as other prospective parents. Check your state’s laws.

How long does it take to pick or match with an adoptive family?
It depends on the adoptive parent applications available to you and when your chosen family accepts. For a closed adoption or assisted adoption search, it depends on how long it takes for the adoption professional to find a good match for you and your baby.

When is the adoption finalized?
After your parental rights have been terminated and the child is in the adoptive family’s home for approximately six months, the social worker will submit a recommendation for approval. A judge will then finalize the adoption by awarding the adoptive parents all legal rights and responsibilities. This is called the final adoption decree.

When do I sign the relinquishment/termination of parental rights papers?
Though it varies state to state, it can happen no sooner than 48 to 72 hours after birth. Check your state’s laws.

Can I change my mind about the adoption?
Yes, but only until a certain point. You can attempt to withdraw consent before the interlocutory order (around 30-45 days after the child is placed in the home) or before the final adoption decree (around 6 months after the child is placed in the home). However, you would need to provide strong evidence that the best interests of the child have changed. These attempts are almost never successful.

More Adoption Questions
It is common to have more questions than what is addressed above. Contact an adoption professional to ask those questions or to learn more. Again, adoption laws and processes vary among states, so make sure that you understand the laws for your state specifically.
Want to Know More?

• Adoption Options
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

Sources:

1. Ohio State Bar Association (ohiobar.org)
   https://www.ohiobar.org/forpublic/resources/lawyoucanuse/pages/lawyoucanuse-165.aspx
2. Adoptive Families:  The How-to-Adopt and Adoption Parenting Network (adoptivefamilies.com)
3. National Adoption Center (adopt.org)
4. Lewin, Tamar (19 March 2006). “Registry sets post-adoption trap for Dads”. Star News. North Carolina, USA.
5. Guttmacher Institute (guttmacher.org)
6. https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/minors-rights-parents
7. American Adoptions:  America’s Adoption Agency (americanadoptions.com)
8. https://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/adoption_process
9. Family to Family Adoptions, Inc. (fam2fam.org)

The post The Adoption Process for Birth Parents appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

How to Choose Your Adoption Agency

Gather as much information as possible about the types of adoption, agencies, and state requirements.  A good place to start is online. Be discriminating, different adoption professionals will have the expertise that you need. Don’t hurry your research. It’s important you choose the right organization and adoption profession who is the best fit for your circumstances.

Adoption Agency Research Tips:

• Get referrals from friends or others that have adopted or have placed their child for adoption
• Ask how long the attorney or agency has been working in adoption
• Find out what services they provide before and after the adoption
• Find out the full extent of your financial obligations and costs of adoption
• If relevant, ask if the agency places minority or biracial children
• Ask the adoption agency for a list of referrals
• Determine if the adoption professional works with an open or closed adoption and the attorney’s views and experience with both types
• Inquire about the availability and credibility of counseling
• Learn about the adoption plan, contract, and decrees
• An adoption agency should be licensed, and the workers should be professional licensed social workers, preferably with master’s degrees in social work and experience in adoption.
• Ask how long the agency has operated and how many children it has placed in recent years.
• Ask the agency about its professional affiliations; for example, is it a member of the Joint Council on International Children’s Services and/or the Council on Accreditation?

Prepare for your adoption interviews

Some adoption professionals may ask questions about your age, education, your finances, career, health, lifestyle, and personal history, if you are single or have a family, and if you’re religious. You may not feel comfortable disclosing so much information, but remember it is part of the adoption process. The better you know yourself, and what your values are, the easier it will be to find the right adoption professional.

Look for Red Flags

There is no way to guarantee smooth sailing through the adoption process, but there are some red flags that may signal potential problems. Be wary of agencies that promise a child before a family assessment; agencies that tell clients that the birth parents will relinquish a baby before birth; and agencies that require no home study fee.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Call the attorney general’s office and the Better Business Bureau in the state where the agency is licensed to check whether any complaints have been filed against the agency.

More helpful articles:

• The Adoption Process for Birth Parents
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Options
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

The post Choosing an Adoption Agency appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

FAQs About Adoption

Can I pick the family to adopt?

Yes. Most adoption agencies help you determine what you are looking for and show you families with those characteristics, such as age, how many children in the family, where they are located, religion, experience with adoption, and many other factors.

Once you have selected a family that you are comfortable with, you meet them, ask your questions, and make your final decision. Most families interested in adopting have already completed a home study that includes a review of their financial, physical, employment, household, criminal and personal backgrounds. This ensures they are fit to adopt.

How do I know my baby will be safe with someone else?

Adoption agencies set standards for adoptive parents that gives assurance that a child placed in an adoptive home will be safe. You also have the option of selecting a family by researching their profiles, having phone conversations with them, and meeting them face to face.

What are my baby’s father’s rights in adoption?

Fathers do have rights but they must exercise them to protect their rights. In other words, if a man is opposed to an adoption plan, legally he needs to step up and show that he will be financially supportive before and after the birth and be willing to legally commit to fatherhood for 18 years and he must do so in writing and file it with the Court.

I don’t know the identity of the father. Can I still make an adoption plan?

Yes. When the identity of the father is unknown, adoption agencies will do a search of their state’s Putative Father Registry to see if any man has registered saying he might be the father. This registry is helpful if a man is trying to protect his rights and a mom says she doesn’t know who the father is. In that case, if he has put his name in the registry, it will pop up during the search.

What kind of assistance can I receive while I’m pregnant?

You may be entitled to get help covering your pregnancy-related expenses. Known as “living expenses,” these funds are determined by your financial needs and the amount allowed by the state in which you live. As a general rule, all maternity-related living expenses including housing, food, transportation, medication, utilities, phones and insurance may be covered. Adopting families may be willing to pay for additional expenses

What type of relationship can I have with the family?

That is really up to you. In this day and age, most adoptions are pretty open through secure 3rd party social media platforms, like Facebook. Some birth mothers want an open adoption or semi-open adoption so they can have some kind of relationship and others want a closed adoption. You have the final say in what type of relationship you want.

Will my baby be confused if I choose open or semi-open adoption?

Confusion largely depends on the extent of communication between the child and the adoptive family. Closed adoption seems to generate more confusion or frustration for adopted children because of the larger number of unknowns.

How much can I find out about an adoptive family for my baby?

Potential adoptive families provide profiles that often include photographs. Some couples even present their profile in the form of a scrapbook. The available information may include the size of their family, where they live, what they do for a living, how long they have been married, how they met, names of their pets, and their health history. They often include their religious views. Most will include some photographs of themselves and their surroundings.

What will the adoptive parents of my baby have to know about me?

The adoptive parents will want to know all they can about you. They will probably be interested in your medical history, your healthcare, your age, and your interests. You are free to provide any additional information that you would like to share.

Will I be able to see my baby when it’s born?

You are free to see your baby when he or she is born and for as much time as you would like. Depending on the state where your child is born, papers do not normally become effective and are sometimes not even signed until 24 to 48 hours after your child’s birth.

Can I name the baby?

Yes and you will receive a birth certificate showing your name as the mother of the child and the child’s name. That will change after the adoption is finalized but you will get an original birth certificate, if you like.

Next Steps

These answers to the most frequently asked questions about adoption are a starting point. You’ll find it helpful to talk to an adoption professional and explore adoption in greater detail. You can ask questions and learn more about the process without pressure. Click our resource directory to get started.

Want to Know More?

• Types of Adoption
• Benefits of Adoption
• How to Choose an Adoption Agency

The post Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

You might be looking for a family that already has brothers or sisters or you may be looking for first-time parents.  Who you want to choose as the family you give to your baby can be up to you.

Below are some questions to help you envision the family you want to choose for your baby:

Questions to Ask

• How long have you been married?
• What makes your marriage work?
• How many other children do you have, or plan to have?
• What is the source of your motivation for adopting?
• Do you have any pets, and if so, how many and what kind?
• Where do you live and what are the living conditions and the general environment (standard of living, urban, country, weather, crime, etc.)? What is your community like?
• Do you have plans to move?
• What is your denomination and current views and practices of religion?
• How much contact do you expect to have with me?
• What is your educational background?
• What is your current occupation–the way you earn a living?
• Will both of you work after you adopt?
• What will make you good parents?
• What about your extended family? How much contact do you expect to have with them?
• With whom will your child be spending the most time?
• What connections through family and friends do you have with adoption?
• What are your hobbies, interests, and goals for the future?
• What type of education would you make available for your child?
• Do you have a college savings plan for your children?
• How do you handle and resolve conflict?
• What is your personal philosophy toward discipline?
• What kind of future do you envision for your adopted child?

You may find it helpful to discuss your questions with an Adoption Specialist. Remember, asking questions does not create a commitment to place for adoption. It is usually helpful to get expert insights.
More helpful articles:

• The Adoption Process for Birth Parents
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Options
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

The post Guidelines for Choosing an Adoptive Family appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

The Disadvantages of a Semi-Open Adoption for Birth Parents

The semi-open adoption experience can vary with each person. For birth parents, the potential disadvantages of semi-open adoption include:

• Loss of relationship- Since the communication between the birth families and the adoptive family normally occurs through the adoption professional, there is the potential loss of a direct relationship with the adopted child.
• Increased grief – During the initial years following the placement of your child there is a greater risk of heightened grief from the inability to observe how the child is doing with the adoptive family.
• Interruption in contact – If the designated adoption professional changes or leaves, communication can be interrupted.
• Feelings of obligation – The financial and emotional investment on the part of the adoptive family can make the birth mother feel pressured and obligated to place the child for adoption.

Disadvantages for Adoptive Family

The semi-open adoption experience can vary with every family. For the adoptive family, the potential disadvantages of semi-open adoption include:

• Limited relationship – Because all communication is funneled through the adoption professional, there can be an absence of a deeper and more genuine relationship with the birth family.
• Limited information -Since communication depends on the adoption professional, there is the potential for less available information regarding medical histories, family genealogies, and family histories.
• Delayed responses – If questions arise from the adoptive family or adopted child, there can be a delay in getting answers since the questions are processed by the adoption agency or adoption attorney.

Disadvantages for the Adopted Child

For the adopted child, the potential disadvantages of semi-open adoption include:

• Negative perceptions – Because the birth family is kept away from the adoptive family, the adopted child may develop a wrong perception that it is unsafe or wrong to interact directly with the birth family.
• Postponed or avoided reunions – Negative perceptions about the birth family may result in the adoptive child postponing or avoiding altogether opportunities to reunite with the birth family
• Identify confusion – There is a chance that an older child might struggle more with his or her identity because of the limited amount of communication with the birth family or because of trying to make sense of the additional family history and genealogy information.
• Preoccupation with adoption issues – A child in a semi-open adoption might have a slightly increased tendency to become preoccupied with adoption issues.

The semi-open adoption can vary with each adoption. Communication will continue to a vital factor in the adoption process. As communication about wishes, desires, and expectations increases, the more comfortable everyone involved will be.

Next Steps

It is usually helpful to talk to an adoption professional where you can explore adoption in greater detail. You can ask questions and learn more about the process without pressure.

Want to Know More?

• The Adoption Process for Birth Parents
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Options
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. National Adoption Information Clearinghouse

The post Semi-Open Adoption Disadvantages appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Suggestions for Choosing an Adoption Agency:

• Get referrals from friends or others that have adopted or have placed their child for adoption, or contact an adoption agency to get a list of referrals.
• Ask how long the attorney has been involved in this line of work.
• Find out if the attorney/agency has a history of disrupted adoptions, and if so, the reasons why.
• Research and develop a list of attorneys that appear to meet your requirements.
• Find out what services they offer both before and after the adoption.
• Find out the costs of the adoption and the financial obligations of both the birth family and the adoptive family.
• Ask if the agency places minority or biracial children.
• Ask about open versus closed adoption and the attorney’s views and experience with each type of adoption.
• Ask about any contractual obligations.
• Ask about Adoption Plans and Decrees.
• Inquire about the availability and type of counseling.

Tips for Adoptive Parents

• Ask how long the average wait is for a couple in your situation.
• See what the procedures are in place to establish the health of the child.
• Try to learn how involved with the attorney the birth parents’ parents are and how the attorney deals with birth fathers.

Tips for Birth Parents

• See what procedures are in place to determine the health of the adoptive parents.

Want to Know More?

• The Adoption Process for Birth Parents
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Options
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

Call or text Lifetime Adoption: 800-923-6784

The post How to Choose an Adoption Agency appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Adopting is an emotional journey.  One that is filled with an array of emotions such as hope, fear, excitement, worry, joy, and sadness. It is possible that a birth mother chooses you and then later change her mind and opt to parent.  This is a loss you need to be prepared for as best you can.

Be Prepared: A Birth Mother May Change Her Mind About Adoption

There are characteristics that have been identified in birth mothers who are more likely to change their minds about placing their child up for adoption.  It is important to understand that if a birth mother has one or more of these characteristics, it does not mean that she will change her mind.  She can have all of these characteristics and opt to place her baby for adoption.

And if you are a potential birth mother considering adoption, it is wise to examine the risk factors in the checklist to see how they might relate to you. It can be beneficial to follow up by discussing any risks with an adoption counselor.

For potential adoptive families, it is important to note that nearly every birth mother will have one or more of these characteristics. Some birth mothers might have all of these characteristics and still place her child for adoption.

This checklist is a guide that can serve to identify the number of characteristics that exist and how extensive they are in order to discuss them with an adoption counselor:

• Birth mother is young (11-17 years old)
• Lack of life experience/immaturity
• First-time parent
• Lack of family support or family not informed
• Dysfunctional family background
• Denial of emotions
• Unwilling/uncooperative in seeking counseling
• Inadequate time for counseling prior to delivery
• Finances of utmost concern
• An unknown/unsupportive/uninvolved birth father
• Substance abuse (current or history of)
• Strong Native American heritage
• Birth parent has had a negative experience with adoption
• History of mental illness or emotional problems
• No future goals
• Significant recent loss
• Negative or poor relationship with adopting a couple
• Lack of consistency in facts related to different parties involved
• Lack of self-awareness and ability to communicate ideas and feelings well
• Differences between adopting couple and birth parents on the meaning of “open” adoption

More helpful articles:

• The Adoption Process for Birth Parents
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Options
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Adapted from Lutheran Social Services adoptive parent handout

The post A Birth Mother Can Change Her Mind appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Through this type of adoption, the identity of all parties is usually kept confidential. In most cases, interaction is limited to letters or cards. However, in some cases, there might be non-identifying e-mails or visits hosted by the adoption professional. There are several potential advantages to a semi-open adoption arrangement for birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children.

The Advantages of a Semi-Open Adoption

Advantages for Birth Parents

The semi-open adoption experience can vary with each person.
For birth parents, the possible advantages of a semi-open adoption include:

• Sense of control – For birth parents, having the ability to review, interview and select the adoptive parents for your child can be empowering and provide a sense of control.
• Privacy – Interaction between birth parents and adoptive families that are facilitated by adoption professionals provides a sense of privacy.
• Reduced uncertainties – The interactions and updates provided through the adoption agency or attorney can provide comfort to birthmothers by providing reassurances of the child’s well-being.
• Improved mourning – Regular updates on the child’s well-being including letters from the adoptive family, can improve the ability of some birth parents to deal with their sense of grief and loss.
• Reduced fear – When the adoption professional facilitates on-going communication between the adoptive and birth families both before the birth and following the adoption, birth parents tend to have fewer concerns about the well-being of the child.
• Reduced guilt – Updates and letters from the adoptive family provided through the adoption agency can lessen any feelings of guilt associated with the decision to place the child for adoption.

Advantages for Adoptive Family

The semi-open adoption experience can vary with every family.
For the adoptive family, the potential advantages of semi-open adoption include:

• Reduced fear – When the adoption professional facilitates on-going communication between you and the birth mother or birth families both before the birth and following the adoption, it usually helps reduce concerns regarding the birthmother’s intentions.
• Medically informed – A medical history is a normal part of the adoption process. However, with a semi-open adoption, there is the opportunity through the adoption agency or attorney to request additional medical information based upon changing circumstances.
• Affirmation – As an adoptive family, you can experience a sense of empowerment or encouragement knowing that you were ‘hand-picked’ to take care of the child.
• Roles clearly defined – A semi-open adoption makes it is easier to manage the roles of each party involved than in an open adoption.
• Understanding and confidence – Even though there is less access to birthparents than in open adoption, adoptive parents in semi-open adoption are still able to address concerns and ask questions about the child’s history through the adoption professional.

Advantages for the Adopted Child

The open adoption experience can vary with each child.
For the adopted child, the potential advantages of semi-open adoption include:

• Identity and self-confidence – Semi-open adoption provides adopted children with access to birth families through the adoption professional. This enables them to acquire information about family history and family trees making it easier to answer the questions such as“Who am I?” and “Where did I come from?”
• Protection against a sense of abandonment – Having the opportunity to receive communication from the birth families and be given reasons for the adoption can help prevent the child from experiencing a sense of abandonment.
• Absence of the need to search – The yearning of a child to search for his or her birth family becomes a non-issue.
• Medically informed – A medical history is a normal part of the adoption process. A semi-open adoption proves the opportunity
  to obtain additional medical information that might become necessary with the onset of medical symptoms in adulthood or when questions arise regarding future family planning.

The semi-open adoption experience can vary with each adoption. Communication is a vital aspect of the adoption process. As communication about wishes, desires, expectations, etc., increases, the more comfortable everyone involved will be.

Next Steps

It is usually helpful to talk to an adoption professional where you can explore adoption in greater detail. You can ask questions and learn more about the process without pressure.

Want to Know More?

• The Adoption Process for Birth Parents
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Options
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

Compiled using information from the following source: National Adoption Information Clearinghouse

The post Semi-Open Adoption: Advantages appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Whether you are facing an unplanned pregnancy or struggling to add to your family, there are countless reasons to consider adoption. Here, learn more about the benefits of adoption so you can make an informed decision about what is right for you and your family.

Adoption Benefits the Birth Mother and Birth Father

For many birth parents, choosing adoption is one of the most difficult decisions of a lifetime — but it can also provide countless benefits. For expectant mothers, adoption:

• Enables them to continue pursuing their goals without putting their education or career on hold.
• Relieves the financial and emotional stress of unplanned pregnancy and single parenting, and allows them to receive help with living expenses during their pregnancy.
• Provides assurance that their child will be raised by pre-screened adoptive parents who will provide a safe, stable, loving and nurturing home.
• Makes the dream come true for hopeful parents who would not be able to have a child otherwise.
• Gives them access to important services and resources, including professional counseling and support services, at no cost.
• Provides the option to stay in touch with the child through open or semi-open adoption.
• Offers access to a support group of birth mothers who will share their experiences with you.
• All legal expenses and attorney fees will be paid for you.

Adoption Benefits the Child

More than 90 percent of adopted children have positive feelings about their adoption. They understand that adoption is something special and that they are loved by their adoptive families as well as their birth parents. Adopted children:

• Are placed with families who have planned, prepared and have completed the home study process to ensure they are ready to provide a stable, loving home.
• Grow up with opportunities they may not have had otherwise, such as the chance to attend college.
• Know they are loved not only by their adoptive families, but also by the birth parents who selflessly placed them for adoption to provide them with a better life.
• Have better health, more one-on-one attention from their parents, and improved school performance compared to children in the general population according to studies.

Benefits for the Adoptive Family

Adopting parents are motivated to adopt by their dream to become parents. For these hopeful families, adoption:

• Enables them to become parents when they may not have been able to otherwise.
• Gives them the joyful opportunity to raise a child in need of a loving, stable home.
• Grants them the opportunity to observe and experience aspects of pregnancy and related experiences that would not otherwise be possible.

Today’s adoption options allow birth mothers and adoptive families to come together to make positive choices that not only benefit each other, but also their children, extended family members, neighbors, teachers, and anyone else who is touched by their adoption story.

More helpful articles:

• The Adoption Process for Birth Parents
• Financial Assistance for Adoption
• Adoption Options
• Adoption Questions to Ask Yourself

The post Benefits of Adoption appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

The Advantages of an Open Adoption

Advantages for Birth Parents

The open adoption experience differs with each individual.
Some of the possible advantages of open adoption include:

• Sense of control – Having the ability to review, interview and select parents for your child can provide birth parents a sense of empowerment, security, and control.
• Reduced uncertainty -Most birth parents feel reassured and comforted from knowing about the child’s well-being through regular interactions with the adoptive family.
• Improved mourning – The ability to communicate with the adoptive family and the adopted child often help increase the ability of birth parents to deal with the grief associated with the sense of loss.
• Reduced fear – When there is regular communication with the adoptive family both prior to the birth and after the adoption, it tends to diminish concerns about the well-being of the child.
• Relationship with the child – With open adoption, there is the potential to develop and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the child as he or she matures.
• Relationship with the adoptive family – There is an opportunity to develop a positive relationship with the adoptive family.  For some birth families, the adoptive family becomes like part of their own extended family.
• Reduced guilt – With an on-going relationship and the opportunity for regular communication with the adoptive family, birth parents often have less of a struggle with guilt about their decision to put their child up for adoption.

Advantages for Adoptive Family

The open adoption experience differs with each family.
For adoptive families, some possible advantages of open adoption include:

• Reduced fear – When there is on-going communication with the birth mother or birth families prior to the birth of the child and after the adoption, there tends to be less concern about the birthmother’s intentions.
• Medically informed – The need to provide a medical history is a normal requirement in the adoption process. However, open adoption offers the additional opportunity to obtain new medical information over the course of time.
• Relationship with the birth families – There is an opportunity to develop an on-going relationship with the birth mother or birth families. For some adoptive families, the birth mother or birth family becomes like part of their own extended family.
• Affirmation – An adoptive family often experiences an extra measure of encouragement from knowing that they were hand-picked to become the adoptive family.
• Understanding and confidence – Open adoption provides a child with the opportunity to learn more about his or her personal history.  This can make it easier for the child to answer questions such as“Who am I?” and “Where did I come from?”

Advantages for the Adopted Child

The open adoption experience will differ with every child.
For an adopted child, some possible advantages of open adoption include:

• Identity and self-confidence – Open adoption provides adopted children with greater opportunity to learn about their family history and family trees. This can make it easier for an adopted child to answer questions such as“Who am I?” and “Where did I come from?”
• Protection against a sense of abandonment – Having the opportunity to communicate with his or her birth family to hear the reasons for the adoption can help limit or reduce the adopted child’s sense of abandonment.
• Absence of the need to search – The yearning of a child to find his or her birth family becomes a non-issue.
• Medically informed – A medical history is a normal requirement of the adoption process. However, open adoption offers the additional opportunity to obtain updated medical information if new medical symptoms appear in adulthood or a need develops for further information relevant to future family planning.
• Relationship with the birth families – Open adoption can offer the adopted child the opportunity to develop a relationship with his or her birth mother or birth family. For some adopted children, their birth mother or birth family becomes like part of their own extended family.
• Support Network – Since birth mothers and birth families normally continue to have a deep concern for their adoptive child, they can effectively function as advocates and additional support for the child.

The open adoption experience will vary with each adoption. For everyone involved, communication will continue to play a vital role in the adoption process. As communication about wishes, desires, and expectations increases, the more comfortable everyone involved will tend to be.

Next Steps
It is usually helpful to talk to an adoption professional where you can explore adoption in greater detail. You can ask questions and learn more about the process without pressure.

Want to Know More?

• Semi-Open Adoption Advantages
• Closed Adoption Advantages
• Financial Assistance for Adoption

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. National Adoption Information Clearinghouse

The post Open Adoption: Advantages And Benefits appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.