By Erin McKenna
If you’re considering placing your baby for adoption, it is important to be informed. Facing an unplanned pregnancy is challenging, but understanding your options and rights can help ease some of that difficulty. A common misconception is that placing a baby for adoption means you are “giving up” on your baby. In reality, when making this choice, birth parents have a great deal of responsibility in their child’s life. Making a smart, informed choice for your and your child’s future is anything but giving up. That being said, it is important that this choice is informed. At All About U Adoptions, we believe in empowering birth parents to make the best choice for their situation. You have rights, including the right to make this decision without coercion or pressure. Discover your rights and responsibilities during the adoption process with us today.
Rights of the Birth Parents During the Adoption Process
As previously mentioned, the most important right you have as a birth parent is to make this choice for yourself. Nobody has the right to force you to decide to pursue adoption. Our adoption agency aims to help educate birth parents about adoption to aid them in their decision-making. Our goal is not to make this choice for you, just to support you through whatever you decide. While many birth parents feel powerless during an unplanned pregnancy, you have the power to make the best decision for your family.
If that decision is adoption, you have certain rights as well. Birth parents can pick the family their child is adopted into with All About U Adoptions. If you want your child to be raised in a particular family structure or with certain values, they can. Our adoptive families are all carefully vetted and approved before they can take in a child. You can also decide if you want to have contact with your child after the adoption or not. We specialize in open adoptions, which allow the birth parents and the adoptive parents to communicate freely. If you don’t want to have this kind of communication, that’s an option too. There is no “right” kind of adoption plan, only the right kind of plan for you.
Responsibilities You Have As A Birth Parent
While you may not be responsible for raising your child after adoption, birth parents are responsible for a number of things. Before the adoption, you are responsible for providing accurate information about your health and family history. Making sure your child and their adoptive family know this information is important to set them both up for success. In general, it is important to cooperate with the adoption agency and adoptive family fully. You are all on this adoption journey together, and working together is the best way to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
The other responsibility you have as a birth parent is to make sure your child is placed in a safe and loving home. This can mean picking the best adoptive family for your child, but it is also important to consider before you choose adoption. Before making any decisions, consider if you are willing and able to raise your child yourself. The physical, emotional, financial, and logistical impacts of parenting are all important to consider. If you’re on the fence about adoption, considering these factors is a great first step.
Speaking to one of our adoption experts is one way to evaluate your situation and decide what path is best for you. This is likely a scary new experience for you, but we work with people in your situation every day. We understand what you’re going through and want to help you make the best choice for your future. Many of our staff have real-world experience with adoption and can provide insight in a way many can’t. Reaching out for a consultation is a great first step to take on this journey.
Start Your Adoption Journey Today
Whether you just found out you’re pregnant or have already decided adoption is right for you, All About U Adoptions is here. Contact us at any time for more information on your rights and responsibilities as a birth parent. Every situation is unique, and we want to provide you with the tools you need to shape your future. There are resources available to you wherever you’re in the adoption process. No matter what, you don’t have to go through this alone. Schedule a consultation with our experts and start your adoption journey with us today.
