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.

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