An Introduction to Adoption as a Birth Mother
You are in a pretty tough situation that may be hard to deal with. You have a child, but unfortunately, do not have the capacity to care for them at this time. You may not know where to even turn to start looking for solutions. Yet, despite all the overwhelming things you are feeling — confusion, stress, anxiety, fear, panic — there are processes in place to help you out.
Feel free to take a breath and ease you mind because you are not alone. In this day and age, probably one of the easiest things you can do first is explore the internet for an adoption agency. Adoption Choices of Colorado is just such an agency where we have plenty of resources to help you find an introduction to adoption as a birth mother.
I Like Being Organized. How can I Create an Adoption Plan?
The answer is yes! Many times, birth mothers going through the adoption process for the first time are worried that they will not have a grasp on a full, cohesive adoption plan for their child. However, a lot of things are centered around you and your wishes. Your influence will be felt through almost every part of the adoption process, so that you feel comfortable and have a say.
Adoption Choices of Colorado in particular offers counseling, birth plans, and detailed information about potential adoptive families. That’s just a small amount of what is available to you as you go forward. We recognize that adoption can be emotionally draining, so that is why we aim to support you before, during, and after the adoption process. You decide what you need for yourself and your child, and we will do our best to assist you.
I’m Afraid of Sharing My Decision with Friends and Family. What Should I Do?
There are certainly negative statements associated with adoption, which is a real shame because many adoption stories are success stories! You don’t need to think of adoption as sad or force a positive spin on it because, in many ways, adoption is already a positive thing if you allow it to be. You are doing what is best for your child, and that’s ultimately what everything comes down to in the end.
If you are able to get past the unfortunate stigmas surrounding adoption, you will hopefully be able to find people close to you that also share your positive views on the process. Your introduction to adoption as a birth mother will, undoubtedly, be an introduction to adoption for other people in your life, too. Find solace in those who want to do the right thing and support you on your adoption journey. They are out there.
How Do I Face my Biggest Fear that I will Never See my Child Again?
Okay, this is an important question, but it also brings up a lot of falsities about adoption. Contrary to a lot of movies you may have seen, or historical pieces you may have encountered that deal with adoption, the adoption process is not so full of bleakness.
Now, you could have a closed adoption, which is really for birth mothers who want to move on with their lives, but that’s not a terrible thing if you believe it will benefit your health and your child’s health. There are also more open adoption types where you can see your child from time to time, which often comes as a surprise to pregnant women who have never gone through the adoption process before.
When you sit down and choose an adoptive family, you also have the right to choose whether or not the adoption itself will allow you to see your child. A completely “cold turkey” adoption situation will never be forced on you.
What Should I Do Next Now That I’ve had an Introduction to Adoption?
Well, you know where to head at this point for initial information, and that’s such an important first step. Adoption Choices of Colorado can give you an overview on their website of some other adoption facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). When you are ready, you can contact our adoption agency and get more into the detailed specifics you likely want to structure your schedule and life accordingly.
The most important things to remember are that you are not alone and there is help waiting for you. Many other birth mothers have had introductions to the adoption process and gone through it smoothly. You will as well. There are so many sources of support at your disposal.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Meet the Author: Nathan Dyer is a university student majoring in Communication Arts with a radio/TV/film focus. He enjoys writing professionally and dealing with hands-on problems in real-world scenarios. Among his hobbies is hiking, which always encourages him to explore new places. He looks forward to crafting written materials in the future that serve to help people from all walks of life.
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!