Pros of Adoption
Choosing to place your baby for adoption isn’t an easy decision; it’s a life-changing event. Today’s adoption has many benefits for the birth mother and child that you may not have thought about.
Here are just a few of them.
Choose the Adoptive Parents
As a birth mother, you decide who you want to adopt your child. You can view adoptive family profiles online and an adoption agency can assist you by giving your some adoption profiles of potential adoptive families. After you choose several adoptive families that interest you, you can interview them. This gives you an opportunity to ask them questions. Of course, if you choose not to meet the adoptive parents, you can field your questions to an adoption coordinator who will get the answers for you. The power to choose who adopts your child is entirely your decision. The adoption agency wants to make it as easy as possible for you to make this big decision.
Educational Scholarship
Being in an unwanted pregnancy may make you feel like your life’s goals have been put on hold. But today, adoption offers birth mothers a chance to reach their goals. After the birth, you can return to your career, or you can get an education. Did that the Lifetime Foundation has scholarships just for birth mothers? This gives you the chance to get your degree, find the job you’ve always wanted. Choosing adoption doesn’t take away your life goals, it can actually help you achieve them. Learn more at LifetimeFoundation.org.
Open adoption Means Knowing Your Child
Today, open adoptions are quite common. Out of all adoptions, 95% of them have some degree of openness. The beauty of open adoption is that you choose the level of openness you want. The level of openness you want can be arranged with the adoptive family you choose during the adoption process. Open adoption allows you the chance to stay connected with the adoptive family and your child by pictures, email, texts, phone calls, and even visits if that’s something you want and the adoptive parents agree on. You will see your child grow up. You can develop a good relationship with your child as he or she grows up. Knowing your child is doing well will give you peace of mind that you made the right choice. And the good news is an open adoption means you don’t have to say goodbye forever.
No Cost
You will not need to pay an adoption agency to make an adoption plan for your child. And typically, the adoptive parents you choose can help you out with pregnancy-related expenses like transportation to your doctor’s office and help with medical co-pays. You may even be able to get financial assistance with maternity clothing and housing. Talk to an adoption professional to learn more.
Peace of Mind
Once you choose adoption and decide who you want to be the adoptive parents, you can have peace of mind about your child’s future. You’ve not only given him or her life, but you’ve blessed a family with a wonderful child. You will now feel ready to go on with your life knowing your child is safe and secure. Having peace of mind is a priceless benefit of adoption that’s hard to replace.
Cons of Adoption
Choosing adoption takes courage. There are many pros to putting your child up for adoption, but some women feel there are negatives to the decision. Of course, it’s good to weigh both sides when making this decision. So, what are some cons to choosing adoption?
Pregnant nine months
Being pregnant isn’t easy. When you choose adoption, you’re giving nine months of your life for your child. Many women considering their pregnancy choices see this as a disadvantage. Perspective is everything.
Pregnancy isn’t a sickness. You may feel healthy and strong the entire time, or you might have morning sickness. Adoption means giving your child a life, but it requires nine months of your life. Some see it as a short-term sacrifice for long-term benefits.
Pressure From Family
Well-meaning family members may pressure you to parent this baby, or to get an abortion. They may tell you it’s your responsibility to raise your child. But being pregnant doesn’t mean you’re ready to be a mother. Adoption gives you the ability to give your child life and the power to choose the child’s parents. If family pressures you, gently push back and let them know this is your decision, not theirs. You are old enough to make the decision.
Baby’s Father Not Around
Many women in unplanned pregnancies find themselves alone. Your baby’s father may not be interested once they hear about a pregnancy. Sometimes, the father doesn’t even know about the pregnancy. You may find out you’re pregnant and bear the weight of giving birth with no support from the birth father. This is can be hard.
Grief is Real
Sure, choosing adoption for your child means that you’ve chosen life, but it can involve a grieving process. Many adoption agencies connect birth mothers with counseling both during pregnancy and after you’ve given birth. They usually provide this at no cost to you. There are lots of support and services available, even speaking to other women that have been where you are today.
Loss of Relationships
Sadly, you may lose some friendships because of your choice to adopt out your child. Not everyone will think you’ve made a good decision. Your friends may want you to have an abortion instead. But you’re the only one who can make this decision. You’re the one who needs to live with the choice you made. Friends rarely understand why you want to give birth to your child, some friends might reject you for choosing life. That’s okay, stay strong and stand by your decision. You are the only one who must live with it.
Choosing adoption for out your child is a choice only you can make. It has its pros and cons. Hopefully, as you review these pros and cons, you will feel empowered to make your decision to choose adoption.
We are here with free help and answers as you explore the choices you have through adoption. Take some time to learn if adoption is the best choice for your baby or child. Chat with us live or call or text us any time, even right now!
1-800-923-6784.