Teenage Pregnancy in Colorado
By Bruce Kong
An unplanned pregnancy is a scary experience. Who would have ever thought that at a young age, you’d go through something like this? But life goes on; this pregnancy is something to deal with, whether you like it or not. But maybe you don’t have to struggle alone. A Colorado Adoption may be just the thing you need, and Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to advocate for you and your baby. Being a teenager does not mean your voice is left out—unheard, quite the opposite. You must speak up for yourself and decide what you think will be best for your child.
Whether you’re pregnant and considering adoption or planning to keep the baby, people will voice their opinions; you are the ultimate decision-maker. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. With Adoption Choices of Colorado, we have the necessary resources to ensure that you understand how the Adoption Process works and what happens after it finishes.
This blog will walk you through the steps of adoption and what to expect.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
1. Adoption Agencies and How They Help with Teenage Pregnancy in Colorado
First, choosing an Adoption Agency is the most critical step to complete before
you do anything else. And there are two types of adoption agencies.
- Public Adoption Agencies: These State-funded agencies are funded by the Department of Social Services, or what you may know as foster care. They aim to restore relationships between the birth parent and child. You may choose this route, but keep in mind that the state has the authority to terminate your relationship with your child should they be introduced into foster care or if any negative consequences were to result in your relationship.
- Private Adoption Agencies: Private agencies work closely with birth mothers and keep in communication every step of the way. Considering that this route may be more pricey, private adoption agencies will secure a spot for the adoptee to be placed in a safe and loving family.
2. Starting an Adoption Plan
If or when you decide to go through with the Adoption Plan, you will need to consult an adoption professional. Agencies will provide you with an adoption professional that will directly work with you on your needs and may act as the communicator between you and the adoptive parents.
They will also provide you guidance on finding a doctor, which will also turn into prenatal care. And while finding medical assistance is very useful, your adoption professional will understand the Colorado Adoption laws and what they entail. At the core of it all, your adoption professional is your ongoing counselor and planner.
3. Types of Adoptions
This usually entails the amount of communication between birth mothers and adopting families. And depending on the birth mother’s preference, they have three options to select from.
- Open Adoptions– This allows for both parties to keep in communication. And most birth parents choose an open adoption to build a relationship with the adopting family and maintain a consistent flow of connections with the adoptee.
- Semi-closed Adoptions- The Adoption Agency – with your adoption professional – will communicate anything on your behalf to the adopting family. They take care of the logistics of the Adoption Process, discuss what both parties would enjoy doing, and make sure the process runs smoothly.
- Closed Adoptions- If you prefer to do so, you go through with a closed adoption, meaning that the birth mother and adopting family have little to no contact. This works for birth mothers who wish to keep their information enclosed. And it helps birth mothers move on from the guilt of adoption.
4. Selecting Adopting Families
We will provide a list of families for you, and you can choose which family you believe will be a good fit for your child, and the options are not limited either.
You can choose a two-person household, a family with children, or a single parent. Once you’ve decided on a family, there will be an opportunity for you to chat with them through phone, email, or in person.
5. Childbirth Preparations
As this nears, you will need to effectively communicate with your adoption professional and adoptive parents to plan a time and place for the hospital, ensuring a smooth process and delivery.
After you’ve given birth, you will have your final moments with your child: including holding your baby, feeding your baby, and if it is okay with the adoptive parents, you can name the baby too. Legal documents will also come into play but goes at a pace with the birth mother’s preference.
6. Post-Adoption Plan
A post-adoption plan is a crucial step in your Adoption Process. Birth mothers will need all of the support they can get after giving birth, and there are resources for them to take advantage of.
One example of a post-adoption plan is finding a birth mother support group. These groups allow birth mothers to gather and release any stress they’ve been experiencing after giving birth. Support groups help a birth mother relieve the emotional and physical stress of post-adoption.
Adoption Choices of Colorado will also assist you in finding resources for financial and even educational needs, including scholarships and jobs.
Teenage Pregnancy and Choosing Adoption in Colorado
If you don’t think that adoption is still right for you, then that is completely okay. It’s a sensitive topic for a lot of teens who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. You will need time to reflect on your decision, and when it’s appropriate, you will probably want to consult family members or a counselor.
Just know that Adoption Choices of Colorado will be here when you need help.
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!