Although having a child may seem like a blessing, it does not always work out in the way a person hoped. Sometimes a pregnancy can be unexpected, or a couple may encounter infertility issues. However, adoption could be the answer for both parties involved. The process has made it so it can suit the individual needs of each person or family.
First of all, for expectant mothers, there are adoption centers dedicated to helping women in creating a personalized plan based solely on what is important to them. The birth mother advisors are productive and efficient problem solvers, who are available 24 hours a day to speak with people in need of help. In addition, there are pre-screened adoptive families for biological mothers to consider, as well as immediate assistance with living expenses, relocating, housing, medical, and legal and counseling needs.
Types of Adoption
First of all, if you are thinking about adopting, there are two main types of adoption. The first type is an identified agency placement, which means that the birth mother relinquishes her parental rights to a licensed domestic agency. This will allow theagency to place the baby with the adoptive parents she selects or identifies. The adoptive parents take immediate physical custody of the baby, and the agency maintains legal custody over the baby until the process is finalized.
During this time, the agency determines whether the placement is appropriate and then makes a recommendation to the court. The other main type is an independent or direct placement domestic infant adoption. This occurs when a birth mother selects adoptive parents and then directly gives them physical and legal custody of the baby without getting a domestic agency involved.
Moreover, for prospective parents, there are many resources to help you in your decision, such as advisors educating you on the adoption process. There are people who can assist you in defining a suitable birth mother’s criteria based on your preferences, as well as helping you in drafting, and then finalizing a “dear birth mother” letter for remittance to birth mothers. They will also help you in starting a homestudy process, if need be. In addition, there will also be a screening for prospective birth mothers, including a verification of the woman’s pregnancy status. There will also be an opportunity to discuss your background with prospective mothers, as well as contacting you if you are selected by prospective birth mothers. There are agencies available that will act as a liaison between you and the prospective biological mother, and who will assist you in solidifying a match between you and the birth mother.
Open Adoption
Furthermore, another more popular type of adopting is an open adoption. This is a right fit for when the birth mother and the adoptive parent want to get to know each other, so that both parties can be actively involved in the pregnancy and the birth of the baby. The baby can even have a baby book that will include photos of the birth and adoptive parents. These photos show how love brought all of the families together, which experts believe will boost the self-esteem of the child. Last of all, in an open adoption, both parties usually bid farewell at the hospital, and communication is limited to pictures, as well as a letter exchange. However, it is not uncommon that the parties involved will extend it past an open relationship.
In a closed adoption, neither the birth mother, nor the prospective adoptive parents know each other. This is a good choice for people who prefer privacy and confidentiality. Moreover, there are several steps that are taken before the family is chosen. The adoptive family must meet specific standards, and they will have to complete a home study program before the finalization of the adoption. A home study is an evaluation of the family, which is done by a private licensed agency or public agency. The evaluation includes income verification, criminal record clearances, interviews, home inspection, and references.
In addition, it is not just about finding parents for the child or baby, but is also about personalizing the plan and making it a right fit for everyone involved. This is important during the adoption process, to ensure a happy future for the child.
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This article was written by Shin McAllister, who believes that parents who want children should consider adoption and focus on a non-judgmental, supportive method for both birth parents and adoptive families.