If you’re not familiar with modern adoption practices, you may think this headline is wrong. In fact, today’s adoption process does give an expectant mother or birth mother the power to make all of the adoption decisions.
One of those decisions is selecting the family that will raise her child. In decades past, women facing an unexpected pregnancy were often forced to “give up” their babies for adoption. They had no idea where their child went or who raised them.
Now, an expectant mother considering adoption for her child makes an adoption plan. She selects the family and the future she hopes her child will have. She also determines the amount of contact she wishes to have with her child and their adoptive family.
If you would like to learn more about today’s adoption process, schedule a free and confidential appointment with the team at Harbour Health.
Are Potential Adoptive Families Safe?
To be considered for adoption, couples must provide a tremendous amount of personal information. Here is a sample of what some adoption agencies require them to submit:
- Full medical records.
- A copy of last year’s tax return and a current pay stub for both spouses.
- References from family and non-family members.
- Criminal background checks, including fingerprinting.
- A bio or video explaining why they wish to adopt, which provides an opportunity to learn more about each couple.
- Birth and marriage certificates.
- Have a home study to determine if their home is safe for children.
How Do I Choose the Family?
When you work with a reputable, licensed child-placing agency, they will provide complete adoption counseling. They want to know about your situation, why you want to place your child, and what you’re looking for in an adoptive family.
Make a list of the “gotta haves.” The things that are essential to you as you consider your child’s upbringing. Here are some of the questions to consider:
- Do I want them to be the couple’s firstborn, or should they have older siblings?
- Where do I hope they live? In the country? A big city? A small town?
- What are some of my favorite things? Music, movies, food, hobbies, etc.
- Do I want them to have a particular heritage or ethnicity?
- Do their thoughts on discipline, education, or religion matter?
- What are my views on an open, semi-open, or closed adoption?
These are just a few ideas to consider. Your adoption coordinator can show you the profiles of potential adoptive couples that closely match what you are looking for. Ultimately, what’s important to you should also be important to the couple you choose.
What If I Can’t Find Them?
It is estimated that between one and two million couples are hoping to adopt, care for, and love your baby. You will find the right ones.
Although Harbour Health isn’t a licensed child-placing agency, we can provide referrals to reputable, caring adoption coordinators. In addition to finding the right family, North Carolina adoption law also allows you to receive assistance for certain expenses.
For instance, all of your medical, hospital, and legal expenses are provided. Counseling services and ordinary living expenses during your pregnancy are also available. You receive all adoption services free of charge.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are an expectant mother or have already given birth and wish to learn more about adoption, please contact us. We will be happy to explain the process to you.
Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment online, call us at (704) 489-0708, or text us at (704) 860-0880. We’re ready to assist you with free pregnancy services and talk about your options, including adoption. Contact us today!
