Choosing after Delivery Adoption as a Birth Mother in Colorado
A lot of what we do here at Adoption Choices of Colorado revolves around preparing future mothers to not only place their child for adoption, but also give birth. However, not every situation follows that exact pattern. Some women are already birth mothers, have had their child, and — in the weeks and months following the delivery of their newborn — have come to the realization that they may not be prepared or able to raise a human being. That is completely okay, and everyone that goes through the adoption process comes from slightly different backgrounds. Your needs are important, which is why we will act to assist you and inform you as much as possible about after delivery adoption.
How Long after My Child’s Birth Should I Start the Adoption Process?
A lot of this is really up to your discretion. If you are considering placing your child for adoption, you probably do have important reasons behind your thought processes. Some of your reasons may even be quite urgent. Still, it is recommended that you wait a period of time after giving birth before fully deciding to place your child for adoption. You will truthfully be going through a lot of strenuous events around that time, so it is best to find your footing and not make any knee-jerk choices.
Something to keep in mind is the age of your child. While adoptions of older children do happen, there is usually (not always, but usually) a sweet spot under age 4 or 5, depending on the adoption agency you are dealing with. If adoption is the choice for you, you likely want to operate in that window where you wait long enough after delivery to make a sensible decision, but not too long to the point where transitioning to a new family will be difficult for your child.
How Different will the Adoption Process Be for Me if I have Already Given Birth?
Honestly, the process will not be that different at all. No matter when you decide to start with Adoption Choices of Colorado, the process of preparing yourself, giving birth, and placing your child for adoption stays the same. The only difference of note in that progression will be that you choose your child’s adoptive family after birth, whereas some birth mothers may have chosen their child’s adoptive family before giving birth.
Really, though, there’s no reason at all to panic. It won’t be equivalent to something like getting a homework assignment later than everyone else — you’ll simply be on a different time table, but spend all the same time and care as everyone else picking a potential adoptive family. It helps that we gather a lot of the necessary information for you. You likely have an image about who you want to care for your child. That’s why we make sure to screen all of our prospective adoptive parents, consult with them, and compile a bunch of information about them into easily-digestible scrapbook format. It is just something we like to do to ease your stress a bit and not have you be overwhelmed with textbook-style details.
Where can I Find Other Adoption Resources?
If you are considering after delivery adoption, your adoption caseworker through Adoption Choices of Colorado will be one of your most important guides for whenever you have questions. While the internet can be helpful, the great thing about having an adoption caseworker is that they are specific to you and your story. Whereas you are probably new to the whole adoption process, they have been around the block and helped a variety of birth mothers in the past.
Is My Post-Birth Adoption Situation Okay?
Yes, absolutely yes — not every potential birth parent who chooses to place their child for adoption comes into contact with representatives here at Adoption Choices of Colorado before they have given birth. Sometimes you don’t know what is best for you until after giving birth and that is okay. There’s a lot of factors at play, so no need to be fearful that there is a “normal” way to go through the adoption process. Your adoption journey is unique, even though others have taken similar journeys.
At the end of the day, you get a lot of say and influence over how the adoption process will work for you. It’s largely based on your input and values, whether your child is already with you or will be present in the near future. Whatever the case, we are here to help you and make the ride less bumpy. Do what you feel is right for you and your loved ones.
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!