Choosing a Denver Adoption as a Teenage Birth Mother
Learning that you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy can be scary. If you’re a teenager, it can be that much more terrifying. When you’re still basically a kid yourself, the thought of raising a child can seem impossible. Maybe you don’t even want to be a mom, let alone a teen mom. But, on the other hand, maybe you want to be a mother someday, but not yet.
The adoption process can be daunting for anyone considering adoption. If you’re on the young side, it can feel even scarier. You might be stressed about making all these big decisions. Maybe you aren’t even sure where to start. Adoption Choices of Colorado wants you to know that even at a young age, we can assist you. If you just need information or need help placing your baby for adoption, we can help.
Colorado Adoption Process
Reaching out to our Colorado adoption agency is a good place to start your Denver Adoption process. We can connect you with an adoption specialist who will answer any questions you might have. We’ll advocate for your best interests and listen to your needs so we can make the best adoption plan for you.
You’ll discuss your situation and needs in your initial meeting with an adoption specialist. This can include prenatal care, help to find living arrangements, and financial assistance. Every adoption is unique since every situation is unique. You’ll also complete some paperwork and start working on your adoption plan.
Next, you’ll need to consider what adoption you’d be comfortable with. If you want to have contact with the child or adoptive family after adoption finalization, consider an open adoption. On the other hand, closed adoption might be better for you if you don’t want to be involved in the child’s life.
Therefore, you’ll be able to choose the adoptive family you want your child to be placed with. If you opt for open adoption, you can meet with the adoptive family to help you decide. We want you to be comfortable with your decisions through this process. The prospective families we show you will meet any special criteria you might have. Your adoption specialist will help you choose the best fit for your child based on your requirements.
Additionally, Adoption Choices of Colorado will also help you create a hospital plan, so you know what to expect. Any needs or special accommodations you request will be met with the help of your adoption specialist. Making a hospital plan will help you mentally prepare and ensure everyone is on the same page.
As a Teenage Birth Mother, Can Still Make Adoption Decisions?
Some teens facing an unexpected pregnancy worry they won’t be taken seriously. You might be concerned your needs will be overlooked, or your preferences will be overridden. However, at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we will ensure you’re still in charge. Being young doesn’t mean you can’t be involved in every part of your adoption process.
Giving a baby up for adoption is a very difficult and personal decision. Although you are young, your needs will be met, and you will not be pushed to the side. As the birth mother, your voice is the most important in making these decisions. You have the right to be confident in your choices about your adoption. Don’t let anyone stop you from making these decisions. These decisions are about you and the child, so your opinions hold the most weight.
How Adoption Choices of Colorado Can Help
Adoption Choices of Colorado can help with any adoption, even a teen pregnancy adoption. We have adoption agencies throughout CO and can help anywhere in the state. So whether you’re looking for information about adoption or ready to start making your plan, we’re here to help. Our main priority is that you feel comfortable with your adoption.
Choosing adoption as a teenage birth mother can be scary, even more than normal. We’re here to help make the process less scary. We’ll advocate for you and your needs. Adoption Choices of Colorado will listen to you and what you think is best for the baby, no matter how old you are. We have resources to help you in your specific situation. We’ll help your needs get met in any way we can.
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!