Placing Your Baby for Adoption with Adoption Choices of Colorado
By: Nathan Dyer
Genuine help can be hard to find, especially if you find yourself in a situation where you have an unplanned pregnancy. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we are here to give you the support and care you deserve. If you, or someone you know, is considering placing your baby for adoption, we have available resources to ease the process for you. Developing an adoption plan is made simple with our Adoption Plan Checklist, which aims to prepare you for the future with as little extra stress as possible. You absolutely have options available to you and our adoption agency is a great place to start.
Initial adoption research for a birth mother
Giving up a baby for adoption can has a lot of steps to consider. You will undoubtedly have many questions as you begin your adoption journey, which is why doing initial research can be very helpful. For instance, we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions about adoption on our homepage. There are also a myriad of books and online sources to help you. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can provide insight for you as well. It’s important that you find someone close to recruit during this time. You do not have to go through placing your child for adoption alone.
Our adoption center in Colorado offers support for you, as well as your child’s birth father and your immediate family, if they so wish. If you feel like you need to process your emotions, and options, you can meet with one of our adoption counselors. The sessions come at no cost to you and are nonjudgmental and private, giving you a safe environment to be honest with your feelings. We understand that you may feel uncomfortable divulging certain personal information. Know that we are here to help you have the most positive and empowering adoption journey possible. Then, the moment you decide to begin your adoption journey with us, you will be assigned an adoption caseworker who will help you every step of the way. You won’t be alone.
Choosing an ideal adoptive family for your adoption
One of the most frequently asked questions about adoption relates to if you, the birth mother, can choose who takes care of your child. The answer is absolutely! Potential adoptive families in Colorado go through rigorous background checks and home visits before they are approved. Then, they provide information to us, which we will share with you in easily-digestible scrapbook form. You’ll find details about their values and interests, as well as a “Dear Birth Mother” letter with a more personal touch. You are in full control of choosing who raises your child. Your choice and input matters very much.
Will I see my baby if I place them for adoption?
There are actually three different types of adoption that address this concern – open, semi-open and closed. Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we encourage open adoptions, as we believe they keep everyone’s best interests in mind. We also understand that each and every birth mother is different. We will respect whatever one you choose.
Each type of adoption represents a varying level of openness you can have with your child and their adoptive family post adoption. Be sure to talk with your adoption caseworker about what each of the three types entail. They can help you determine which one would be best for you and your child. There can be benefits and drawbacks with each option, depending on your preferences.
How do I prepare for giving birth if I choose adoption?
You should choose the hospital that works best for you. Think about things like convenience and proximity. Once that is settled, make sure you have an emergency contact, or even two, ready to go. Consider strongly who you would like to keep you company, and provide you with support throughout your hospital experience.
Most hospitals do have set hours or room capacities when it comes to visitation, so be sure to check what your chosen hospital’s policies are. Make sure you have a travel bag ready to go a good amount of time beforehand, too. Things you may need could include: toiletries, entertainment, extra clothes, your phone and charger. Bring anything else to make you more comfortable. Having an idea about what kind of pain management you want during labor and delivery is also important. This can be a tricky and challenging topic, but do your best to come up with a plan before you get to the hospital. What would make the overall process easiest for you?
How do I choose adoption in Colorado?
Hopefully, this was a nice entrance into the world of Adoption Choices of Colorado. Giving a baby up for adoption is no easy task, but we applaud you for taking the initiative to do your own research and, in particular, for considering us. If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and are considering adoption, this brief guide is an excellent place to start. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about how to get started with the adoption process. Whether it’s about gaining a better understanding of adoption counseling, adoption types, birth preparation, or the adoption process as a whole — we are here for you!
We know that your world may feel uncertain and scary right now, but you have options and, with us, you will be fully supported.
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!