It’s Never Too Late to Choose Adoption for Your Baby
By Elle Kerrigan
Unplanned pregnancy presents many unanswered questions. “Where do I even begin with the adoption process? What regulations do I need to keep in mind? Am I making the right decision? And how late is too late to choose adoption?” These questions can be answered with the help of Adoption Choices of Colorado. For starters, there is always time to choose adoption. We have helped many women complete last-minute adoptions since 2002. Our agency is non-profit and licensed by Colorado, and our team of specialists cares deeply about your and your baby’s future. Adoptions later in pregnancy or even from the hospital are totally possible and common. You do not have to seek adoption in Colorado alone.
Benefits of Choosing Private Adoption in Colorado
- You are giving adoptive parents their biggest dream – Our adoptive families want nothing more than to add a child to their family. Just like you, they have chosen adoption due to varying circumstances. You are providing a lifetime of happiness by choosing to place your baby for adoption.
- You are investing in your future – No matter the reason, you do not have to raise your baby if you do not want to. Adoption is a great option for those in this situation. You are directly investing in your future by making the best choice for you. You don’t have to feel shame about considering your own future when making a big decision like this.
- You are giving your child a happy childhood – Colorado adoption laws require a process of home check-ins before the adoption is finalized. Officials make sure that the child is well-adjusted and happy in their new home before it becomes permanent. Your child deserves a family that is excited about raising them.
- The process is filled with support – Placing your baby for adoption may feel lonely at times, but we want you to know that you have endless support through our agency. Not only do we assist you throughout the entire process, but there is also counseling available to you. You can attend this during or after your adoption is complete to unpack any emotions that can arise. Many birth mothers find it helpful to speak to others who have also faced unplanned pregnancies or adoptions. Support groups are a great option for this. There is also financial assistance available for living expenses and medical bills. You will never be alone during the adoption process.
Last-Minute Adoption
A last-minute adoption works very similarly to those that begin earlier in pregnancy. Adoption in Colorado is a straightforward process. The first thing you will need to do is contact us. You can e-mail, call, or text us anytime – even from the hospital. A specialist will then be connected with you to create an adoption plan. The adoption plan is a tool to help you organize each step of the process. You can decide what type of adoption is best for you, pick the adoptive family, and discuss post-placement support. You can have an open, semi-open, or closed adoption.
This will determine the amount of contact you have with your baby and their adoptive family in the future. There is no wrong answer to this question. It all depends on what you feel is best for you. Your specialist will be sure to inform you about any necessary paperwork. If you want to meet your adoptive family, they can meet you at the hospital. This is up to you.
Our waiting families are able to be at the hospital within hours. This is a really exciting time for them, and they know all about last-minute adoptions. Your specialist will stay in contact with you after you have left the hospital for as long as you need. Adoption Choices of Colorado will ensure that you have the proper after-care and that the adoption process is completed in full.
Choosing a Last-Minute Adoption in Colorado
All in all, a last-minute adoption is nothing to be worried about. We understand that anything unplanned is stressful – especially a pregnancy. You may be wondering, how do I put a child up for adoption if I’m about to give birth? We can help you at Adoption Choices of Colorado. Our team has been helping women pursue adoption in Aurora and all throughout Colorado for over twenty years.
We want to see you thrive and feel confident in your decision to place your baby for adoption. If you are in Colorado and considering a last-minute adoption, contact us now, and we can get the process started or answer your questions in detail. 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!