Unplanned Pregnancy? Adoption in Colorado
Life seems challenging right now. Being pregnant is the last thing you expected in your situation, and you’re at a loss for what to do. Worries plague your mind and emotions overwhelm you. Am I going to survive this? Who do I go to for help? What are my next steps?
You’re not alone! Adoption Choices of Colorado knows that this isn’t what you imagined, what you envisioned for your child. But life doesn’t always go as planned. You’re not the first woman to face an unplanned pregnancy, and you certainly won’t be the last. Let us help you navigate your options!
1. Parenting
You may consider parenting your child. While unexpected motherhood is challenging, it’s not impossible! Nevertheless, ask yourself these questions before making a decision: Can I give my son or daughter the life he or she deserves? Am I willing to work hard to put myself in a better place for my child? If you’re determined to take steps to provide a better situation for your unborn child, start by visiting your healthcare provider. Not only will your doctor make sure that you and your baby are healthy, but he or she can also be a good source for your mental well-being. Raising a child isn’t easy, but there is help that exists. You don’t have to go through this alone.
2. Terminating Your Pregnancy
If you don’t feel ready to become a parent at this point in your life, you have the right to choose termination. Remember that abortion laws vary by state. Colorado is one of the few states where a late termination can be obtained. Outpatient abortion is available up to 26 weeks. There’s also no mandatory waiting period before being able to obtain an abortion, and any woman may terminate their pregnancy without permission and/or knowledge from her spouse. However, law dictates that women under the age of eighteen must first notify at least one parent or legal guardian 48 hours before legally obtaining an abortion. Make sure to contact your local Planned Parenthood for more details!
3. Making an Adoption Plan
Your final unplanned pregnancy option is adoption. If parenting isn’t a viable option for you, adoption allows you the opportunity to give your child a life you wish you were able to provide – one full of safety and security. This option is always available to you, no matter how early or late in your pregnancy you are! However, the earlier you contact an adoption professional, the earlier you can start receiving necessary prenatal care, housing assistance, financial aid for living expenses, and more. Adoption will always be free to you, and appropriate agencies and professionals will make sure you receive the services you need to have a successful adoption journey.
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we can help provide financial assistance, medical care, housing, transport, and post placement support. More than anything, we want you to feel safe and secure in your living situation. If you express interest in placing your child for adoption, we will respond immediately!
Unplanned Pregnancy Options in Colorado
Like any other pregnant woman, you have choices. Make sure that you learn as much as you can about all of your unplanned pregnancy options before moving forward. This way, you can choose the path that is right for you. Are you feeling like you don’t even know where to start? That’s okay! We can help you take the first steps and answer all of your questions to prepare for your future.
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!