Birth Mother Support Groups
By Bruce Kong
As a birth mother, we know how important it is to find the right kind of support. We at Adoption Choices of Colorado will be a source of help when it comes to your adoption process. A lot goes through a birth mother’s mind when an unplanned pregnancy happens and after the adoption. Most feel alone and abandoned by the world. Thankfully, when you look up Colorado adoptions, this colorado adoption agency will be here to help you with the necessary steps to complete your adoption. However, while you’re doing a great thing by considering Adoption agencies and placing your baby for adoption, you are taking care of your child but forgetting someone else – and it’s you! So, before you do anything, you must take care of yourself. Here’s a little secret: the aftermath of the adoption process is always the hardest. Luckily there are support groups out there that are within your grasp, and here’s why you should consider them. If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
What are Birth Mother Support Groups?
These are groups where you are with women who have shared the same struggles as you or are currently in the same situation. The members of support groups come together to share their stories, provide valuable advice, and assist each other in navigating resources and tools for getting through their pregnancy. Anyone can join these support groups; however, be forewarned: there will be groups you may not find appealing. Each support group is different, and the goals they aim for may not fit your liking, so make sure you research before you join one. There is nothing worse than joining a support group that shares nothing in common, and while the overall aim to show support for each other is there, meaningful relationships are not forming. But this isn’t to intimidate you – it’s to let you know that people are different – humans are imperfect, we have our preferences, and sometimes we don’t agree on mutual terms. That said, allow us to tell you why support groups are worth it.
1. Validation
You should never feel ashamed of your pregnancy and a Colorado adoption. People have their reasons why they adopt, and support groups are there to empathize with your feelings. Many women have gone through your situation and are ready to walk through the emotional steps of the adoption process.
2. Healing
When the adoption process finishes, it will be hard to process everything that took place. Support groups will not only help you celebrate your selflessness, but you will learn how to grieve in the process. It will be difficult, but you won’t be doing it alone – peace of mind will present itself in your decision at the appropriate time.
3. Celebration
Having a cheerleading group of people is always a nice feeling. When you understand that there are people there to rally for you after the adoption process will do amazing wonders for your mental health. It develops a more positive mindset to see a brighter future.
4. Unconditional Support
Just because a support group is there for a limited time does not mean it permanently stops! You never know who you meet in public and may form relationships within those groups, and with friends comes a healthy chain of sharing emotions and in-depth stories. Don’t be scared to step outside of your comfort zone and reach out after the support group finishes.
Still Unsure, We at Adoption Choices of Colorado are Here for You!
That is completely fine; you can take as much time to ensure everything works for you. Remember, this is about your well-being and the time frame of how you process everything. If you feel like you need to be alone before attending to others, that works; but if you need to be surrounded by a group of loving and supportive people, feel free to dive right into support groups – they’re not going anywhere. There are multiple support groups to choose from, so don’t feel limited to just one. At the end of the day, your preferences are your own. If you need any valuable resources in searching for the right support group, Adoption Choices of Colorado is the first step to take. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you find proper support and the right community. 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.
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!