Last-Minute CO Adoption: Choosing Adoption at the Hospital: In Labor or Just Gave Birth
By Naomi Ruiz
Many birth mothers start their adoption plans during their pregnancies. It is common, depending on one’s circumstances and the state of their mental health at a time like this. You may or may not know that a hospital adoption is also an option.
If you are planning an adoption in Colorado after your baby’s birth, Adoption Choices of Colorado can help with that. We can help you choose a loving family that will welcome your baby with open arms. Then we will connect you with an adoption specialist who will help between you and the adoptive family you choose.
What is a Hospital Adoption, and How Do I Know Adoption is the Right Choice?
A hospital adoption is when you make an adoption plan while in labor or after the birth of your baby. We receive calls and messages from birth mothers who go into labor.
Most birth mothers develop a birth plan to help them plan for the delivery of their baby. A birth plan outlines a woman’s desires for her labor and hospital experience, such as seeing if she wants pain medication and who her doctor should be. There is also whom she wants in the delivery room with her and her preferred delivery method.
It is never too late to put your baby up for adoption. There are many reasons why birth mothers choose adoption.
- Not being ready for parenthood.
- Not wanting an abortion.
- Being unable to afford to parent a child.
- Not wanting another child.
- Already having a family.
- Not being to provide for their child.
- Being too young to have a baby.
- Being too old to have a baby.
- Wanting to prioritize their education or career.
- Having suffered sexual assault or abuse.
- The birth father is unknown or out of the picture.
- Not looking to pursue a romantic relationship with the birth father.
Other birth mothers knew they made the right choice because of the following reasons.
- Taking control of her situation and her baby’s future.
- Continue to pursue her own goals and build a better life for herself.
- Give her baby the opportunity to have their best chance at life by choosing a family that can provide everything she couldn’t.
- Ensure that her baby grows up happy, safe, and healthy in a loving home.
- Having her baby’s best interest at heart.
The Importance of a Hospital Birth Plan in Adoption
Having a birth plan is important in adoption. Birth mothers making an adoption plan can end up wondering about many things, such as the environment of their hospital stay, feelings during labor, and expectations after giving birth.
While giving birth is an inevitably emotional experience, we will provide an adoption specialist to help you feel prepared and confident. They will work closely with you to develop an adoption hospital plan.
When making a birth plan, your adoption specialist can help you feel emotionally prepared at the hospital. This will be one of the most physically and mentally challenging parts of the adoption experience. By discussing your emotions when making an adoption hospital plan, you can feel more confident and in control of your delivery experience.
Are There Requirements for Placing a Baby for Adoption?
In case you might be wondering, don’t worry. There are no specific requirements to place your baby for adoption in Colorado. Anyone can choose adoption at any point and at any age as long as you feel like you are making the right decision for you and your baby. If you are struggling to make this decision, that is okay too.
Our adoption agency in Colorado Springs reacts quickly to your situation. We will answer any questions you might have. You are in total control of how you want the adoption process to go. You can choose the type of adoption you want, choose the adoptive family, choose post-placement communications, and receive the financial and emotional support you need.
The Benefits of Choosing Adoption at the Hospital
Adoption in itself is a vulnerable and difficult decision, no matter what. We are more than willing to help you whenever you need it. Whether you are in any stage of your pregnancy, in labor, or already gave birth to your baby. Adoption Choices of Colorado will make you and your baby our top priorities.
We understand the stress and anxiety an unplanned pregnancy can cause, and we are more than willing to help. Just know that an adoption is always an option for you regardless of what you are facing.
Giving your baby up for adoption is not easy. 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!