Adoption FAQ for Birth Mothers in Colorado
Adoption can be an intricate journey to follow. Women choosing adoption find that they have a lot of questions about how adoption works. The task might seem daunting, but adoption agencies are well-equipped to make sure you know what you’re doing at every step of the process. We get many common questions from birth mothers. Now they all can be answered in one space.
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Adoption
1. Are there benefits to choosing adoption?
There are many advantages when you choose to place your child up for adoption. For one, adoption can be a way to give your baby a better life. It can give you peace of mind. This is so that you can take control of your life if you’re not ready to raise a child. If you’re in an unfortunate situation, you won’t need to worry about raising a child while working on getting better. You also won’t be able to subject your child to a life that might be hard for them.
2. What are the steps in adoption?
The first step in the adoption process is to contact adoption agencies in Colorado. From there, you’ll be in touch with a counselor that will inform you of the decisions you need to make. You’ll come up with an adoption plan with their help. This includes the type of adoption, a labor plan if you’re currently dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, and so on.
3. Can I still choose adoption from the hospital?
Yes, you can still choose adoption for your child, even if you’re about to give birth. Whether you’re experiencing an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy and we’re hesitant, it’s never too late. Some procedures happen in last-minute adoption. You can contact your nearest agency, and a specialist will be available to you at the hospital. The adoption process will proceed from there.
4. Should I choose open adoption?
Open adoption is the most common type of adoption a woman chooses in their adoption plan. Many women want the opportunity to know their child after post-placement. Open adoption gives them a chance to grow a bond with their child and family. If you want to gain a family after adoption, this option might be for you. However, if you want to keep some distance between you and your child, that’s understandable. Some women have unpleasant feelings about their pregnancy and the circumstances. Whatever your reasons, you can get a closed adoption which guarantees your privacy.
5. Will Colorado adoption agencies help with my expenses?
If you’re asking what the costs are, we can help with that. Most adoption agencies in Colorado will help you out with any bills that need to be taken care of. We can cover house expenses like rent, groceries, and transportation for any birth mothers who need them. Any costs during the adoption will most likely be covered by the agency.
6. Will I regret my choice?
This question is harder to ensure for every birth mother. Most birth mothers do not end up regretting their choice to place their baby for adoption. Many have found peace and family by choosing adoption. However, the process of healing is a hard one to get through at times. This might lead to some feelings of remorse. Ultimately, however, keeping your goals in mind and talking to someone can help. Your agency is also there to help during those emotionally hard times.
7. Will I get medical support for the adoption?
Yes, most agencies will help you with medical care before and after. Many adoption centers provide prenatal care. You’ll also get medical support if needed after labor as well.
Can I meet my child’s adoptive parents?
This depends on the type of adoption and the terms you agree upon with the adoptive family. With an open adoption, you can choose the adoptive parents and spend time with them. This lets you get to know them. Semi-open adoption might not allow you to choose the parents, but you can meet them.
How will I know my child is safe?
Many adoption agencies require background checks on prospective families. Home studies are great ways for adoption agencies to make sure each home and family is suitable to care for a child. You also have the chance to meet them and see for yourself once they’re chosen. Depending on the type of adoption, you can grow a relationship with the adoptive family and know how they are.
Will I get help after the adoption?
Post-placement resources include emotional support. There’s a lot that can come up when you need to investigate how to give up a baby for adoption. This can be therapy recommended by the adoption counselor. We can get you in touch with support groups, set you up with journals, and other means to emotionally heal. If you need help getting back on your feet, we can help with that as well.
Contact Colorado Adoption Agencies to Start the Process
After understanding the ins and outs of adoption and the process, you should feel more confident in your decisions. We at Adoption Choices of Colorado can help you with the rest. Search adoption Colorado Springs to find an agency near you. We can tell you more about your adoption options from there.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!