What is the difference between Expectant Mother, Birth Mother, and Adoptive Mother in a CO Adoption?
By Kelly Paczkowski
When deciding on placing your baby for adoption, you may come across some new terminology that might be confusing. The adoption process in and of itself can be a mix of emotions, and having terms used that you do not fully understand can make it seem complicated. That is where your adoption agency in Colorado can help to explain and make it as simple as possible.
The terms expectant mother and birth mother will be used a lot during the adoption process. But, while they may seem similar, there are differences between 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 is a Birth Mother?
A Birth Mother in an adoption process means that she is the woman who has given birth to a baby. She has already decided to place her child for adoption and might be working already on her adoption plan. While the Birth Mother has decided to place her child for adoption, that does not make her any less of a mother. On the contrary, she plays a vital role in the adoption process and, based on the level of communication, can help maintain a connection to a child.
What is an Expectant Mother?
On the other hand, An Expectant Mother is a woman who is pregnant. She may not have completely decided whether to place her child for adoption yet or raise the child. But, she is the pregnant woman who has a decision to make. There are a lot of emotions that can come up when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Becoming well informed on every aspect of the adoption process can make it seem less scary. That is where an adoption agency in Colorado can provide answers to your questions and help make the best decision for you and your baby.
What is an Adoptive Mother?
Another important part of the mother triad is the adoptive mother. An Adoptive Mother is a person who is receiving legal custody of the child and will raise them with love. She will be responsible for caring for, feeding, and nurturing the child. She will raise the child on their own.
While it is important to note that these are separate entities in a Denver adoption process, they each play a big role in the child’s life. It will all depend on how the Birth Mother chooses the layout of the adoption plan. This will determine the amount of contact between the Birth Mother and Adoptive Family.
What Are the Types of Adoption?
There are three types of adoption:
- Open is where there is ongoing communication and contact between the Birth Mother and Adoptive Mother. That can be having visits with the child and having access to contact with a Birth Mother.
- Semi-Open is an adoption that will not have as much contact. That might look like pictures and letters being sent instead of in-person visits.
- Closed is where there is no contact between the Birth Mother and the Adopted Mother. There are no visits, communication, or letters sent. It is just that – closed.
Every situation and adoption process is unique. There is no right or wrong way to raise a child, and it is okay to choose any one of the adoption types. However, it has to be the best solution for you.
Building Relationships Throughout the Adoption
It can seem like an Expectant Mother, Birth Mother, or Adoptive Mother may have feelings of inadequacy, but the truth is, each plays a role in the outcome of a child. There can be beautiful relationships between a Birth Mother and an Adoptive Mother. This can only harbor and fuel a child’s love, and who wouldn’t want their child to have more love?
Suppose you are an Expectant Mother and have questioned whether adoption is the right option for you. Please contact us at Adoption Choices of Colorado. You can talk to one of our adoption representatives, who will answer any of your questions. There is no obligation to you, and you have the choice in the end.
You can visit us at the Adoption Choices of Colorado website. You can even call, text, or email. Our adoption specialists are waiting to connect with you and can give you the education you need to make a well-informed decision.
Adoption is not an easy way out or an easy choice. However, it can be a wonderful option and provide you and your baby with the most out of life.
No matter which of these mothers you are, Expectant, Birth, or Adoptive
Happy Mother’s Day!
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!