What is the Difference between an Expectant Mother and a Birth Mother?
You take a pregnancy test and it comes back positive. Now you’re considering unplanned pregnancy options. This unexpected news makes you ask yourself, Is adoption the right choice for me? You could be considering adoption, but haven’t chosen it yet or you could already be in the adoption process. What do you call yourself now? An expectant mother or a birth mother? What’s the difference? Why does it matter?
You will always be your child’s biological mother, but to be an expectant mother or birth mother are different terms and are important for differentiation. It tells people whether or not you are expecting to be a mother or you are just the one who birthed your child. The different terms will help people understand your situation and what your decision is on adoption.
What is an Expectant Mother?
Essentially, an expectant mother can also be named a pregnant woman. The entire time you are pregnant, you are an expectant mother. You are an expectant mother the moment you find out you are pregnant till the moment you fully decide to go through with the adoption process and give birth. You are considering adoption, but you haven’t chosen it yet. You could be just considering adoption and at the beginning of your decision-making, or you could be near the end. No matter what part of the journey you are at, if you haven’t chosen adoption yet, you are an expectant mother.
Being an expectant mother can come with its hardships. You are struggling with figuring out the best choice for you and your child. There is no set timeline for how long being an expectant mother should be. You can be an expectant mother until your baby is born or a month before his or her birth. There is no rush. You can go at your own pace and be an expectant mother for as long as you need to be during your pregnancy.
No matter how long it takes for you to decide on what’s best, here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we will support you and be with you every step of the way. There are many types of adoption to explore and we will help you choose the best option for you and your child.
Who is Considered a Birth Mother?
If you have chosen adoption, no matter the type, you are a birth mother. A birth mother is a woman who is in the adoption process. You may have already placed or are currently placing your child up for adoption. A birth mother is the one who will communicate with the adoptive parents if open or semi-open adoption is chosen.
The terms expectant mother, pregnant woman, and birth mother have been used interchangeably, but it’s important to see that there is a difference. As soon as you choose adoption and start the adoption process of placing your child, you are a birth mother. You are also considered to be a birth mother if, as aforementioned, you’ve already placed a child for adoption.
When it comes to the meaning of this term, you are the biological mother. You are the birth mother, but you will not raise your child as his or her parent. This is the term most used when referring to yourself with the adoptive parents and through the entire adoption process.
Why Understanding the Difference between an Expectant Mother and a Birth Mother is Important
Knowing the difference between an expectant mother and a birth mother is important when it comes to the adoption process. Keeping the vocabulary straight will help the adoption process move smoother and every term be used correctly.
It is important to know what to refer to yourself when talking to others. It helps eliminate the confusion and knowing the correct terms to refer yourself to will help a lot when it comes to the adoption process. It will help everything run as smoothly as possible.
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: Molly Allington is an aspiring author born and raised in Syracuse, New York. When she’s not watching her latest Netflix obsession, you can find her nose deep in a book or in her writing. She has been writing books since she was twelve and is in the process of trying to get her finished books published. Molly has a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. With her writing, she is hoping to share supportive information and help as many people as possible. Once she starts her own family, she is wanting to adopt.
Just remember that you can go at your own pace and you can choose when you want to be known as a birth mother. The difference between an expectant mother and a birth mother comes down to you when you meet the definition of them.