08 Dec Pregnant and Considering Putting a Baby up for Adoption?

An unplanned pregnancy can bring up a lot of questions, and as an expectant mother, you may be considering adoption. Adoption can be a difficult decision to make with a lot of legal, social,
and emotional aspects involved, so you need to be well informed about the adoption process before making a decision.

Reasons Why You Might Consider Adoption

Every birth mother’s situation is different. There are a number of reasons as to why a birth mother might be considering adoption for her child, all of which come down to the birth mother believing it is in the baby’s best interest to be raised by adoptive parents that are ready to raise a child. Some reasons you might consider adoption include:

• financial situation
• personal life goals
• relationships
• school
• work
• personal beliefs
• family
• not feeling ready to raise a child

No matter what it is important for you to remember that you are in charge of your choice, and only you can decide what is best for you. Cradle of Hope is here to help.

Gathering Information for an Informed Decision

Some of the ways you can educate yourself more on adoption include:

• Internet and Books: You can find trustworthy websites and credible books to help you begin your journey. You might look at blogs and discussion forums that have first-person
  accounts by birthmothers of their personal experiences. You can also use the Internet to help you find an adoption agency in your area to contact.
• Trusted Friends and Family Members: Find someone who will listen to you and won’t pressure you into making a specific decision or judge you for the choices you make.
• Counselors: Cradle of Hope can help you find a counselor specializing in working with pregnant women considering adoption, who can help you understand your options and
  explore your feelings about each option.
• Adoption Agencies and Adoption Attorney: Talk to Cradle of Hope Adoption Center, a nonprofit adoption agency with offices in DC, MD and VA and 32 years of adoption experience. We can arrange a free consultation with an adoption attorney to help you learn more about the adoption process in your state, before you make an adoptioncommitment. Cradle of Hope can help you create an adoption plan, including helping you to find the perfect adoptive family for your baby.

Preparing Yourself for the Adoption Process

Remember that adoption is not just a one-time legal event, but rather a process with long-term impact on everyone involved. Once the adoption is legally finalized it is permanent, and you
may experience feelings of loss, grief, and guilt. These feelings may persist for a while, and it is important that you prepare yourself for it.

You have until right after the baby is born to make your decision. This means that while you may make a decision while pregnant, you have a chance to change that decision at any time but
must make a final decision after the baby is born.  Each state also provides you with a revocation period, during which you have the option of changing your mind about the adoption.

Remember, that while the adoption process is difficult for birth mothers, you will still have an opportunity to have future contact with your child. Today, many adoptions are open or semi-
open and birth parents can maintain a relationship with the adoptive parents.

For more information or assistance, contact Cradle of Hope at 310-905-9999 or by email to info@cradlehope.org.