Possible Fears Throughout The Adoption Process
By Rose O’Connor
When you are going through an unplanned pregnancy, it can be emotional and overwhelming. Going through this process leads you to three options: continuing the pregnancy and parenting, terminating the pregnancy, or choosing adoption. It is important to think about these options thoroughly and not make a quick decision. Choose the best option that is the most comfortable for you and you only. However, if you still consider choosing adoption, Adoption Choices of Colorado is ready to work with you! When you search for how to give a baby up for adoption, the steps and information about them may seem hard to take in. But at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we make sure that you are provided with all of the important resources and assistance.
Possible Fears That You May Have During The Adoption Process
It is normal to worry and fear about a lot of factors when going through the adoption process. That is why Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to help you every step of the way. These possible fears you may have are answered with explanations that let you know that you don’t need to be scared of this process.
The Fear Of The Complexity Of The Adoption Process In Colorado
There is a reason that our adoption specialists are experts on every step of the process. You, as a birth mother, are not expected to locate all of the procedures on your own. Working with Adoption Choices of Colorado means that your actions towards the steps of the process are simplified with your adoption specialist. Moreover, you will be working on the simplified steps while our professionals handle the complicated ones.
When you contact Adoption Choices of Colorado, you can start the process right away by meeting with your adoption specialist. Your adoption specialist will converse with you about your specific needs. In addition, you will complete the paperwork and begin the outline of your adoption plan. This plan will take in not only your specific needs but your financial stance as well. We can call, text, or video chat!
The Fear of Uncertainty About The Adoptive Family
It is normal to feel this way when you are choosing adoption for your child. But our adoption agencies in Colorado make sure that all of the waiting families are carefully screened to meet the standards. With making your adoption plan, your specific needs will help your adoption specialist to find the family profiles that closely match it.
Additionally, the family does not gain custody for another six months. During that time, a social worker checks on them to make sure they are providing the best care for your child. Outlining your adoption plan includes choosing the type of adoption and finding financial assistance with prenatal care. Our agency will offer approved living expenses if you need them. Additionally, our agency will help you find assistance with medical expenses that include pregnancy and delivery. Moreover, we can assist you in finding or applying for housing.
When you are choosing the type of adoption, you will be given three choices: open, semi-open, and closed adoption. Open adoption is when you and the adoptive family exchange information, including identifying information as well. Additionally, you can meet face to face and even go to events together to meet with your child. Semi-open adoption is between open and closed. This means that you exchange non-identifying information. This can include communication, such as letters, pictures, and other forms. Closed adoption is when you do not exchange any kind of information with each other.
The Fear Of Your Relationship With The Adoptive Family Not Working Out
This is a common fear that birth mothers go through. That is why we make sure to work on those tasks before it can even begin. This means that throughout your adoption plan, your adoption specialist works to find the best family that aligns with your and your child’s needs.
When your adoption specialist assists you with finding an adoptive family, you are guided with some topics that will further assist you. For example, what are your religious preferences, age, marriage length, professions, location, and other factors? Your adoption specialist will work with you one on one. Once you have made your preferences, your adoption specialist will bring out your family profiles to choose from!
In addition to your adoption plan, you will also create a hospital plan. Your hospital plan can be a listed document that details what you do or do not want during your stay. That is why we advocate creating one beforehand so that it can help you mentally prepare for your labor process. Additionally, it helps your adoption professionals and chosen adoptive family to comprehend the exactness of your wants during your stay.
Fears You Have About Adoption In General
Even with adoption in general, birth mothers have other common fears as well. Here are some of the common fears that birth mothers go through in adoption in general.
The Fear Of Not Being Able To Move On With Life After Going Through Adoption
It is completely okay to go through grief after placing your baby for adoption. You may be going through a lot of emotions at once. Adoption is often misunderstood, as people think that you are giving your child away. But, as a matter of fact, you are choosing adoption because you want to ensure that your child is in a loving and nurturing home; you are providing the life that you may be unable to give them. With that, it may leave you with peace of mind, knowing you have made the best decision for you.
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we provide post-placement counseling for all birth mothers. We also provide support groups as well. Knowing that someone else is going through a similar journey can give a feeling of comfort.
Fear Of Not Working With A Professional Agency
When you work with adoption in Colorado Springs, you will be working with a private adoption. In general, there are three types of adoption: foster care, international and private adoption. A private adoption means that you get to create your own adoption plan in your journey. Whereas in foster care and international adoption, it is outside the birth mother’s control. Additionally, we are a fully serviced and fully licensed adoption agency. Our licensed agency can give support throughout your adoption journey.
You Are Not Alone In Your Journey Of Choosing Adoption
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we ensure that all birth mothers are taken care of during their journey. Your journey as a birth mother is unique in every way. Choosing adoption is not giving up. We will work with you one on one in completing the important steps of the process. You will be guided every step of the way.
If you are a woman who is considering placing your child up for adoption, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!
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!