Can I Change My Mind about Adoption?
When you have an unplanned pregnancy, you ask yourself many questions: I can’t take care of a baby right now, what do I do? What’s the best option for me and my child? Is adoption the right choice?
You might not know anything about adoption and have no idea about the ins and outs of the different types of adoption you can choose. This is a big decision to make and you are trying to make the best decision for you and your child. Yet, even after you choose what’s best for you, you question whether or not adoption is the right choice.
This is all understandable, natural, and to be expected. You have no idea what the future holds and you can only decide based on your life right now. You just want what’s best for your child, even if you can’t be the parent for them. Nine months is a long time to decide and you can take all that time to go over all of your options.
Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we have adoption specialists who can help you through the whole adoption process. We will be here through every step and we have 24/7 professional dedicated staff to help.
Can I Change My Mind about Adoption Before My Child is Born?
Before your child is born and before you sign the final relinquishment papers, you are not the birth mother yet, so the simple answer is yes. At any point during your pregnancy, you can change your mind about adoption. As long as you haven’t signed the final relinquishment papers, you can change your mind as many times as you want. If you decide that you would rather be the parent to your child, you can happily do that.
There are so many steps before the final relinquishment papers are needed to be signed, so you have plenty of time to rethink everything and make a different decision. The first step is to contact us here at Adoption Choices of Colorado. We will start answering all of your questions and begin the adoption process at your speed, if that is what you choose.
If you aren’t happy or comfortable with the adoptive parents you chose for your child, you can consult with your adoption caseworker or contact our adoption agency. We will gladly assist you and figure out the best option for you, even if that new decision is that you would feel more comfortable to parent your child instead.
You can always contact us and work with our adoption center, no obligations. Just because you are considering adoption, doesn’t mean you have to choose it. You can go at your own pace. There is no rush.
Can I Change My Mind about Adoption After My Child is Born?
Unfortunately, if you are considered a birth mother, your child has already been born and you have already signed the final relinquishment paperwork. As the birth mother, you cannot change your mind about adoption. It is final. You are not able to change your mind from that point on. We know this realization can be hard, but remember that you felt adoption was the best decision for you and your child. Please know that we have so many great resources, including professional counselors, to help you after placing your child up for adoption.
There are different types of adoption that you can choose and, if you are anxious that you won’t be able to watch your child grow up, you can choose open or semi-open adoption. You can make ground rules with the adoptive parents about how much you can write to your child or see pictures of them as they grow up. So even though choosing adoption is the hardest decision you could make, you can still be in contact with your child and his or her adoptive family based on what type of adoption you choose. You can have the chance to watch your child’s first steps without even being in his or her life.
In the End, it is Your Decision to Change Your Mind about Adoption or Not
No matter what you decide, you did what was best for you and your child. You might be in a rough time in your life and you knew you wouldn’t be able to parent your child as best as they deserve. Adoption is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. You want to give your child a life you know you can’t at the moment. You might think that you would be able to in a few years, but if you are faced with this hard decision right now, it is okay to be scared and indecisive.
We are here for you, and there are so many professionals at our adoption agency in Colorado who can help with your ever-flowing thoughts and questions about whether or not adoption is right for you and your child. Although your decision is final once you sign the relinquishment paperwork, you can still be a part of his or her life, depending on the type of adoption you choose.
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: Molly Allington is an aspiring author born and raised in Syracuse, New York. When she’s not watching her latest Netflix obsession, you can find her nose deep in a book or in her writing. She has been writing books since she was twelve and is in the process of trying to get her finished books published. Molly has a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. With her writing, she is hoping to share supportive information and help as many people as possible. Once she starts her own family, she is wanting to adopt.
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!