What Feelings Will I Experience in A Colorado Adoption?
By Gabrielle Maya
Debating on whether or not adoption is the right step for your unplanned pregnancy? Live in the state of Colorado? We at Adoption Choices of Colorado can be your reliable adoption agency. Our adoption agency specializes in all cases regarding adoption. We can answer all your questions regarding the adoption process, how to get started and what adoption services are provided.
As a birth mother choosing your unplanned pregnancy, we understand that you will experience several emotions. We want to put your racing heart at ease. All kinds of emotions, negative or positive, are a normal part of this journey. Whatever adoption you choose to have or are considering a Denver adoption, there are common emotions you can prepare yourself for that can occur. To know more about these emotions and the possible causes, the adoption process, and adoption services, please continue reading.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Six Emotions You Can Experience in a Colorado Adoption
You may feel six of these emotions, which are common and normal to feel while in an adoption process.
1. Guilt
You may feel this way when starting your CO adoption. Some questions you’ll ask yourself are “am I making the right decision?”, “Does this make me a terrible mother for not being ready or desiring motherhood?” or “how will society judge me?” We want to assure you that this decision is selfless and that guilt isn’t an emotion that should be present. We know it will take a while, but soon you won’t feel guilt, or you’ll be able to manage your guilt and justify your actions.
2. Regret
During an adoption process, you may wonder if this was the right decision. You may be thinking of keeping the baby instead of having an abortion. This feeling of changing your decisions is valid during and after the adoption is complete.
3. Fear
Some questions that may have you biting your nails and pulling your hair- “will my child hate me?” “Does a closed adoption make me a terrible birth mother?” “How will my family and friends react?” We at Adoption Choices of Colorado are always on your side. We are a support system that doesn’t judge your decisions. Look into your heart and find the good that can come out of adoption. We know not many will agree with your decision, but facing your fears head-on when you’re ready can be fulfilling.
4. Anger
Having a burning sensation in your chest can be a normal feeling of anger. You may be angry at your decisions, your unplanned pregnancy, the child, and yourself as a woman. However, with anger comes a list of stuff you dislike about yourself in those moments. We hope you can take a deep breath and let it all out.
5. Sadness
Let the tears flow out! Cry about all the things that brought you to this decision and what’s to come of adoption.
6. Relief
You sigh in relief that an adoption is an option. A family will take care of a burden you aren’t ready for or want. You may also feel relief that your child will have a wonderful life with or without you in it.
How to Start Your Adoption Plan in Colorado
The first two steps are choosing an adoption type and creating a list of adoptive family preferences to begin your adoption process. Here are three types of adoption you can choose from. Which adoption type fits your plan?
Open Adoption
Open communication that is personal with your child and adoptive family. Contact forms include emails and letters with updates, phone, and video calls, and scheduled in-person visits.
Semi-Open Adoption
Just like open adoption, there is communication. The only differences are that it’s professional and not as often. All forms of contact are the same, but you set stricter boundaries.
Closed Adoption
No communication or contact is best. You are a private person that wants to have closure.
Things to Consider When Choosing Adoption
The following is a list of topics to consider when choosing an adoptive family.
- Do I want my adoptive family to be close by or far away?
- Would I want race/ethnicity to be an ideal preference? Does it matter if they were of a different race than my own?
- Would an adoptive family with a religious background not affect my decision to choose them?
- Do the adoptive family’s upbringing, morals, and values have to be exactly like mine, fairly similar, or completely different?
- Am I comfortable with an adoptive family with children already or none, has adopted children, is a same-sex couple, or a single parent?
These are just a few examples. If there are certain questions or ideas that are important to you, definitely add them to your list of preferences.
Adoption Services in Colorado
Our next step is using our private adoption services in Coloradda. We are aware that every birth mother has unique circumstances and may need some help in various ways. Our services support you during this adoption process, even to assist after. Please view our list below for specifics.
Financial Aid
Apply to see if you are eligible for possible loans, grants, and programs. We want to make sure you are financially stable for carrying your child. We can help pay important expenses such as rent, medical bills, transportation fees, phone bills, groceries, and other maternity materials needed.
Medical Assistance
If you need a doctor or medical assistance, we can help pay for medical expenses and help schedule your doctor’s appointments. You may not have a primary doctor, but we have a list of potential doctors who have helped other birth mothers with their adoption plans. We want to make sure you receive the proper health care for you and your child.
Birth Plan
During your adoption process, you will be discussing the plans for your delivery. Some things you must consider are if you would require pain relief medicine or a c section? Would you prefer anyone to be in the delivery room with you or not? Will you be breastfeeding the baby and naming them? What location will you be having the delivery if a hospital isn’t suitable for your comfort?
Housing
Need a place to stay during your adoption process. If you have unfortunate circumstances regarding your living situation, we can offer you available housing for the time being. Make sure to apply to see which options are available for you.
Free Counseling
If you have experienced or put your emotions and feelings on the back burner, you deserve to voice them aloud. We offer free one-on-one counseling and group counseling sessions. We want to help you work on your acceptance and understanding with some wonderful coping skills. There is no deadline to have better mental health. We are here for you at any time. We are also available after your adoption is complete.
Choosing Adoption Choices of Colorado
Adoption Choices of Colorado is the place you can trust to make your adoption finalized the way you want it. We know this can be an emotional time that you may not be prepared for. So many feelings have been going through your head. You may worry you don’t have control over them. We offer support, guidance, and understanding when you choose adoption with us. Our hearts are here to make you feel heard and understood no matter your predicament. We only hope your last emotions are satisfaction, fulfillment, and acceptance.
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!