Counseling and Assistance for Unplanned Pregnancy
By Anna Keller
Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy and unsure of your next move, even with other children already? Charting your adoption process may seem difficult, but Adoption Choices of Colorado agencies are here to help. Adoption agencies in Colorado like this one offer specialized plans that meet your individual needs. In addition, this Colorado adoption agency offers all-around-the-clock counseling and assistance for birth mothers. Counseling can come in handy when grappling with the emotional side of your adoption plan, and adoption in Colorado doesn’t have to be complicated.
CO Adoption can be made simple with the private adoption in Colorado agency guiding you through each process step. Your adoption options are expansive, even if you have more than one child. Placing your baby for adoption doesn’t have to be scary. With agencies like this one, you are in good hands. You might have chosen adoption because you aren’t equipped to parent another child, which is valid. Regardless of your reason, placing your baby up for adoption is far from uncommon after already having children. It’s very normal. Some birth mothers already have enough on their plate with one child or two and cannot tackle anymore. That is perfectly fine. We are here to help you that placing your next baby up for adoption is just as acceptable as if it were your first.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Implications of Having a Child
If your pregnancy is unplanned, there are serious implications to think about. You may find yourself in a position where you are financially ill-equipped to add another dependent. This is a real reason to consider an adoption plan. Along with the financial responsibilities, you may also consider your emotional capabilities. This is especially true if you already have children. These are realities many women faced with an unplanned pregnancy must consider. There are many other reasons a birth mother may place their next baby up. One reason is that they may not have a substantial relationship with the birth father. This can have financial implications. Adoption is a real choice if you are not financially able to raise another child and do not have the support of the birth father.
You may be wondering whether you want to do an open or closed adoption with the adoptive family. Having children already affects this decision, so the adoption agency will go over your options with you and help you come to a decision. It is also crucial to remember that the financial responsibilities of a child are eighteen years at the bare minimum. Not every birth mother will be able to commit to that, regardless of whether they have other children or not.
Telling Your Other Children (If Applicable)
One important step in the adoption process is ensuring your older children are included in your plan. First, discuss with them the plan. Telling them that you are going to place your baby up for adoption is necessary because otherwise, they will wonder what happened to the baby. While they may have questions, there is nothing that should stop you from being open and honest with your children and explaining the truth. Some ideas to support family discussions include movies, youtube, or visiting your public library for reading materials. These can help guide conversations with children. If you are not able to care for your unborn child, then say that. Your other children may be more understanding than you think.
You may worry about how your other children will react. What if they aren’t understanding? What if they ask questions you don’t know how to answer? Whatever obstacles come up along your adoption journey, the agency will help you side-step them. You do not need to be afraid of the unknown because the agency will prepare you for any challenge you may face. Your reason for placing your baby for adoption can vary anywhere from sexual assault to financial instability or even an inability to emotionally or physically accommodate a third child. Whatever the reason, the agency will not discriminate against you and is only here to help you.
Jumping Through the Hurdles
Private Adoption Colorado will assist you in forming a plan that works best for your family. Since every family is different, each plan will be different. Your job is to demonstrate patience towards yourself and your adoptive family as you work together through each step of the process. Private Adoption Colorado not only offers twenty-four-hour counseling services, but they also validate whatever reason you have for choosing adoption. You do not have to go through this by yourself. The agency will equip you with the tools you need to piece together your unique, individual adoption plan.
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!