Types of Adoption: Which is Right for You as a Birth Mother?
Choosing to place your child for adoption can be one of the most challenging decisions that you can make as a birth mother. This is partially due to the numerous misconceptions about adoption and the adoption process as a whole, which, unfortunately, do more harm than good. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for you that will allow you to have several degrees of connection with their child even after he or she is placed with an adoptive family.
Before making any decision like this, though, you should know all of the options and types of adoption that you can choose from to help you make the most informed decision possible. This will give you peace of mind and comfort that you are making the right choice, and giving your child the future that you want for them.
Types of Adoption
- Open Adoption
In this type of adoption, you can share your contact information with the adoptive parents either during your pregnancy or after your child’s birth, allowing for a wide variance of openness in your relationship going forward. This connection will depend on the needs of your child, which will likely change as they age. Degrees of openness can range from staying in scheduled contact with your child to being a constant part of their life.
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we encourage all our adoptive parents and birth mothers to consider open adoption as we believe it’s the option that keeps everyone’s best interests at heart.In fact, research has shown how open adoptions can positively impact your child, and help him or her develop a healthy sense of self-esteem and identity. With birth mothers only being a phone call, text or email away, many of the common issues or misconceptions concerning adoptees can be avoided. Questions about your child’s birth family and genealogical history can easily be answered, which is definitely beneficial when it comes to your child’s health and well-being.
Open adoption is optimal if you want to still be a part of your child’s life, and get to know their adoptive parents as well.
- Semi-Open Adoption
A semi-open adoption can allow you the peace of mind of an open adoption, with the sense of immediacy needed for the connections of a fully open adoption. This type of adoption will typically involve our adoption agency as an intermediary contact through which both you and the adoptive family can connect. Through a secure and online portal we used called ChildConnect, you can be sent updates on your child’s well-being, as well as pictures and other information as they grow up. Your child can also be supplied with information, such as your first name and where you and your family are from, if you are comfortable sharing that.
In regards to contact, semi-open adoptions have become known as the happy medium between open and closed adoptions. You have the opportunity to share information with your child and their adoptive parents if you would like, but you don’t have to. For instance, health and medical records or your personal contact information. Regular contact and in-person visits are not as common with this type of adoption, but phone calls are okay.
Semi-open adoptions can be optimal if you want to know how your child is doing, but not have direct involvement in their life. In some cases, semi-open adoptions can be changed to either an open or a closed adoption agreement, but it’s typically easier to lessen contact than it is to be approved for more. To learn more about this, be sure to consult with your adoption caseworker to see what would be best for you and your specific circumstances.
- Closed Adoption
As its name would suggest, this type of adoption ensures that no contact information — be it email, phone numbers, addresses, social media, or even names — are exchanged before, during or after the adoption process. Having complete anonymity could arguably be a bit more difficult than before as we live in an age of technology, so while there isn’t an absolute guarantee, our adoption agency in Colorado takes measures to do the best that we can to protect you, your child and the adoptive family.
While this is no longer the way most adoptions go, it is still an option for you to consider when choosing which type of adoption is best for you and your child. We understand that each and every birth is different and has her own reasons for how she chooses to go through her adoption journey. If you are not interested in being involved in your child’s life or knowing who their adoptive parents are, the privacy and distance within a closed adoption may be the right choice for you.
Which is Right for You as a Birth Mother?
The biggest differences between all of these types of adoption are the degrees of contact between you, the adoptive family, and most importantly, your child. It all ultimately hinges on your choice and what you know to be best for all parties involved, both in the present and the future. The road to placing your child for adoption can be tumultuous, but the silver lining should be that, in the end, your child will have a brighter future guided by the love of their family, both adoptive and biological.
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.
Meet the Author: Timothy “Blake” Donohoo is a writer with a myriad of experience in various mediums and formats under his belt. With over two years’ worth of writing obituaries for marketing firms, consumer products groups, and the entertainment industry, Blake has both an informative tongue and a sharp wit that continually educates and entertains, gluing the eyes of an entire spectrum of readers.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he received his BA in Communication, Blake has in the past written for healthcare publications such as Chattanooga’s True North Custom as well as Catholic Health Initiatives. Blake continues to write exciting content for CBR.com, where he regularly waxes philosophical concerning the goings on of the comic book, film, television, anime and video game industries.
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!