What is a Safe Haven Baby Box, and How Can I Place My Baby in a Safe Haven?

January 30, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

What is a Safe Haven Baby Box, and How Can I Place My Baby in a Safe Haven?

By Melissa Camacho

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, a baby haven is a second option besides an adoption plan. Our adoption agencies in Missouri can provide you with as much guidance to safely place your baby in a haven. You are a birth mother experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, and you may feel you are not ready for parenting. We first want you to feel secure and comfortable seeking adoption in Missouri. Adoption Choices of Missouri is staffed with courteous and knowledgeable adoption professionals who provide exceptional services to all birth mothers. Seeking a private adoption service to reduce the pain and frustration during pregnancy is the first step. If you prefer to place your baby in a safe haven in Missouri, we will help you. Before making your final decision, let’s take a look at the purpose, process, and requirements of a Safe Haven Baby Box.

How Baby Safe Haven Boxes Work?

A baby safe haven box is a safety device built into the wall of a hospital or a fire station. As per the National Safe Haven Crisis line, a baby safe haven allows a mother to relinquish her parental rights to her baby in unharmed conditions. Depending on your state, the baby safe haven box is turned over to temporary foster care. In addition, the birth mother has 60 to 90 days to claim her baby back. Otherwise, her baby will then be submitted to an adoption agency.

Steps to Locate a Baby Safe Haven

Baby safe havens are legally safe locations where a birth mother can leave her baby with a baby safe haven provider. Types of baby safe havens are:

Hospitals
Maternity Homes
Pregnancy Centers
Ambulance Stations
Police Stations
Fire stations

You must place your baby with a baby safe haven provider who will take legal custody of your child. The baby safe haven provider will notify the welfare department to place your baby up for adoption. Types of baby safe haven providers are:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Hospital staff or volunteers
Pregnancy staff member or volunteer from a maternity home
Firefighters
Law Enforcement Officers

Your baby will be transported to the nearest hospital if you decide to leave your baby in another location besides a hospital. The hospital will provide your baby with care and medical treatment. We also have a baby safe haven location for you at Adoption Choices of Missouri.

Adoption Requirements of a Baby Safe Haven

Knowing and understanding the eligibility requirements of a baby safe haven in Missouri is important. Take note of all specific requirements and measures you can take to consider a baby safe haven. The following eligibility requirements are:

Your child must be at least 1.5months, equivalent to 45 years old or younger
There should be no bruises or any other signs of physical abuse
Voluntarily provide any health-related information that will further help support your child

Your Role and Rights in the Baby Safe Haven Placement Process

You don’t need to provide proof of your identity. Therefore, you can remain anonymous throughout the baby safe haven placement process. Adoption paperwork or contracts are not required. Remember that you will turn over your parental rights and proceed with the adoption process. In addition, you will be protected from child abandonment, endangerment, or prosecution when you safely leave your child with a baby safe haven professional.

The Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services Services will assure you that your baby will be safely placed in a permanent home under proper care. You can choose a closed adoption if you do not want any communication with the adoptive family or disclose any personal information.

Choosing a Baby Safe Haven is Just as Flexible and Safe as an Adoption Plan

If you feel you are unable to undertake the responsibilities of raising your child, you have a right to search for viable solutions. It’s not easy raising a child without any support or lack of child care resources. However, considering adoption or a safe haven in Missouri will contribute to your child’s safety, growth, and development.

We want you to know you are not alone by providing instant access through our private adoption service in Missouri. If you also want to locate our adoption agencies or learn about our baby safe haven process, search for adoption agencies near me to be connected to an adoption professional. Adoption Choices of Missouri ensures our birth mothers are treated with respect and dignity. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our adoption agencies in Missouri today!

Safety, Support, and Stability are our priorities in shaping the lives of our birth mothers. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

Benefits of Choosing an Adoptive Family through a Missouri Adoption Agency

January 26, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Benefits of Choosing an Adoptive Family through a Missouri Adoption Agency

By Katy Reagan

You have just found out you’re pregnant. This was never the plan, and now you have no idea what to do. You’re scared and overwhelmed and want your baby to grow up in a loving home. That’s where Adoption Choices of Missouri comes in. We are a local, licensed, and private adoption agency in Missouri. Your adoption specialist will be with you your entire pregnancy and after. We will help you find the adoptive family of your dreams. An unplanned pregnancy doesn’t have to derail your life. But through adoption, you can change the lives of a couple who is unable to get pregnant.

What is the adoption matching process?

If you are considering adoption, you may be searching phrases like “Adoption Springfield MO” or “Adoption agencies near me.” All of the information that pops up can just prove to confuse you more. All you know is that you want your baby in a safe and loving home. Adoption Choices of Missouri can provide that. As a private adoption agency in Missouri, we make sure you have control over where your child is placed. You get to make all of the decisions, and we just inform and help you in whatever way we can.

The adoption matching process is when you choose the adoptive family for your child to be placed with from adoptive family profiles. These profiles have information about who they are that help you make your decision. Once you decide and the adoptive family agrees, you have been matched.

How do we match birth mothers with adoptive families?

You are the only person who knows what’s best for your baby. Here at Adoption Choices of Missouri, we respect that. You tell us what you’re looking for in an adoptive family, and we provide you with choices. You will have an adoption specialist, your Birth Parent Counselor, who listens to your wants and needs. They will get to know you and your case personally to provide you with the best guidance.

Whatever is important to you is how we choose possible adoptive families. You may have been raised in a certain religion and want your child to be as well. You might want your child to live in an area close to you or have parents of similar ethnicity to teach them their culture. These are all things we can look for in adoptive families. Adoption agencies in Missouri have very diverse adoptive families. We will provide you with adoptive family profiles so that you can find the family you believe fits best. If you choose to, you can meet with the family to get to know them.

Our adoptive families have been thoroughly evaluated to make sure they can provide the safe and loving home you want. We conduct a home study to make sure all the information they provide is correct. We also educate and prepare the family to become adoptive parents. Your child will be well-taken care of.

What does the adoption process look like for me?

Finding out you’re pregnant can make you feel like you’ve lost control over your life. With Adoption Choices of Missouri, it doesn’t have to be like that. You have complete control over the adoption process. When you first meet with your Birth Parent Counselor, you will create an adoption plan. This paperwork outlines exactly how you want the process to look. If you need financial assistance or medical care, that will be stated. Your needs and wants will be addressed.

An important aspect of the adoption process is the level of communication. You can choose from an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or a closed adoption. An open adoption has full communication between you, the adoptive family, and your child. You will be able to be involved in your child’s life after they’ve been placed. Even if you don’t want to be directly involved, you will still be able to receive information about them. A semi-open adoption is a way of doing this where you only have indirect communication. You can communicate through our confidential line, ChildConnect. No identifying information is given. A closed adoption is when there is zero communication and no identifying information.

Whatever your choice, we will support you. A hospital plan will be in place for when you give birth. This will state who can be there, who can hold the child and anything else you want. When you give your final consent, your baby will leave with the adoptive family.

Benefits of working with Adoption Choices of Missouri

Adoption Choices of Missouri will be with you every step of the way. From the moment you find out you’re pregnant, we will be advocating for you. Your Birth Parent Counselor will be your biggest supporter, making sure all of your wants and needs are met. Not only do we provide guidance, but we can also help with financial and legal assistance.

We make a promise to you that you will never be alone during this process. An important part of that is helping you after you’ve left the hospital. The emotional and physical effects of pregnancy stay with you, so we do too. That’s why we offer free, unlimited counseling sessions. We will put as much energy into making sure you’re okay as we do your baby.

If you are pregnant and considering adoption and want to know more about adoptive families, we can help. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 816-527-9800.

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Important Adoption Terms for Birth Mothers to Know

January 23, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Important Adoption Terms for Birth Mothers to Know

By Katy Reagan

If you are searching for how to give a baby up for adoption, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by just a quick Google search. You’re trying to learn about the adoption process, but the terms used are just making you more confused. We don’t want you to get discouraged. We don’t expect you to know everything right now because you’re so new to the adoption world. You might not even be sure adoption is right for you. Whatever your situation, we’re here to help. We at Adoption Choices of Missouri will walk you through the entire process.

Finding the right terms for the adoption process

The language we use matters. It is important to understand adoption terminology so you can know all of your options and your rights as a birth mother. We want everything to be as clear as possible so you can make the best decision for you and your baby.

Here is a glossary of adoption terms for you to know. Although this isn’t a complete list, we will continue to teach you everything you need to know.

Glossary of adoption terms

Adoption

The legal transfer of parental rights from biological parents to someone else.

Adoption agencies

Licensed organizations that provide services and support to birth parents, adoptive families, and children being adopted.

Adoption plan

The decision to place a child for adoption and agreements for how it will be executed.

Adoption process

Includes pregnancy, birth, placement of the child in the adoptive home, and the time after an adoption is finalized. After adoption, Adoption Choices of Missouri continues to provide support services like counseling to birth mothers.

Adoptive family/parent

The parents and/or family that are adopting your child.

Adoptive family profiles

These provide information on the possible adoptive families you can choose from. You can decide based on what’s important to you, like location, ethnicity, religion, etc.

Adoptive match

When a birth mother chooses an adoptive family profile and the family agrees.

Birth father

The biological father of the child being adopted

Birth mother

The person who is pregnant with the child and placing them for adoption

Birth Parent Counselor

The adoption specialist assigned by Adoption Choices of Missouri to work with you. They will be your advocate and walk with you through the adoption process.

Closed adoption

Zero communication between the birth mother, adoptive family, and child. Identities will not be shared, and the birth mother will not be given updates on the child.

Decree of Adoption

The finalization of adoption through a legal order.

Expectant mother

The woman who is pregnant is considering adoption. This may be an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy.

Hospital birth plan

A plan created by the birth mother and Birth Parent Counselor outlines what the birth mother wants during birth, like who can see the child and who can be with her.

ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children)

A law regulating adoption between states, creating uniform administrative and legal procedures.

Open adoption

Full communication between the birth mother, adoptive family, and child. The birth mother will stay in contact with the adoptive family and their child, receiving updates on them.

Presumed father

A man married to the birth mother or who has been divorced from her within 300 days of the birth.

Private adoption

When a birth parent voluntarily puts their child up for adoption. Private Missouri adoption agencies like Adoption Choices of Missouri give the birth parent control over where the child is placed.

Public adoption

When the state takes custody of the child, placing them in foster care without input from the birth parent.

Putative father

A man who is not married to the birth mother but legally claims the child as his.

Relinquishment

The voluntary termination of parental rights.

Revocation

The period in which birth mothers can revoke the termination of parental rights and claim their child.

Semi-open adoption

Indirect communication between the birth mother, adoptive family, and child. Identities are usually not given, but they communicate through a third party. Adoption Choices of Missouri uses their confidential line ChildConnect.

Importance of positive adoption language in the adoption process

Adoption terms are also important for how you view adoption. Outdated and negative terminology gives you a negative outlook on adoption. In reality, adoption is an amazing choice that places your child in a loving and safe home. Through adoption, people who are unable to have children can become parents. Adoption brings new families together, so using positive adoption language reflects that.

An example of this is using the term “placing a child for adoption” instead of “giving up a child.” You are not giving up anyone or anything. You are creating the best life for your child. Even so, it can be hard to change the way we speak. We may even still use terms like these sometimes, but it is important to stay up to date.

If you are a birth mother looking to learn about the adoption process and its terminology, we can help. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

Birth Mother Blog Putting baby up for adoption

Welcome to the World of Adoption

January 19, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Welcome to the World of Adoption

By Andreia Pereira

By now, you have most likely seen movies where the character grew up in an orphanage. They try to find the perfect family to adopt them. But did you know that adoption can happen while the birth mother is pregnant? Depending on the type of adoption you choose, you can even see how your child grows up and meet them! Unlike just leaving your baby at the doorstep, adoption services are safe and caring. So you might ask yourself, how to give a baby up for adoption? With Adoption Choice of Missouri, this is clear and simple. Welcome to the world of adoption! We at Adoption Choice of Missouri are here to help you understand everything you need to know for your adoption journey in Missouri.

What is Adoption?

Adoption is when you give birth, and you can no longer parent the baby. This can be planned out from when you first realize you are pregnant or after you give birth. There are three types of adoption. Open adoption is where you communicate with the adoptive family. You can receive photos, emails, calls, or even visit the child. Semi-open adoption is when you receive emails or photos from a third party, Adoption Choice of Missouri. You don’t need to meet the child face to face if you don’t want to. Closed adoption is when no information is shared. We can choose the adoptive family, so you don’t need to get involved.

Pros and Cons of Choosing Adoption

Con: Is it really going to be a better life for them?

This question might bubble up to the surface. Will it be a better life away from you? You can try more to make it work. However, you have to pick what is best for you and what’s best for your child. If you know you can’t handle another person, you can barely handle yourself, then choose adoption. It’s a hard choice to make, but it will be the right one.

Pro: A better life for your child

Adoption is the best option if you want to give your baby a better chance at life. You can choose the best adoptive family. If you’re a single mother who knows you can’t provide the best life for your baby, then think about adoption. The adoptive family will provide love and care for your child. They can have other siblings to play with if you choose a big family. They can have a different religious family if you don’t agree with your own religion. You can choose a biracial couple if your child has a biracial father. You can want them to grow up in a similar family or a same-sex family. The choice is yours. A family of pet lovers or if you want them to live in another state, for example. There are a lot of options! Our Birth Parent Counselor will give you family profiles to choose from.

Con: Your child might not want to meet you

There’s always the possibility that your child grows up and doesn’t want anything to do with you. When they reach the legal age of 18, they might ask for information on their birth mother. If you choose semi-open adoption or open adoption, this might mean they want to meet you. However, maybe they feel like they don’t want to meet someone who left them. Remember, you did not give up. You are giving them a better life than you can give. The birth mother and the adopted family will always have a different relationship. It’s up to the child themselves if they want to continue the relationship or not. This can happen with non-adoptive families as well. Children with abusive parents sometimes choose to cut them out of their life. With open adoption, you can see pictures of them growing up or even meet them if the parents allow it. It’s what is best for the child’s emotional health.

Pro: You can see how they grow up with open adoption

With open adoption, you can still be a part of their childhood. The adoptive family will send you pictures and emails about how they are doing. You’ll be able to talk to them directly over the course of your baby’s childhood. If it’s good for the child, you might be able to meet them. Many parents believe it’s up to the child to meet the birth mother. Other parents believe that waiting until the legal age of 18 is best. However, with open adoption, there will be constant communication between you and the adoptive family.

Con: You will feel regret later

You might think that later on, your decision would be wrong. You can’t handle a baby now, but maybe in a few years. However, that might be detrimental to your health, or maybe the baby wouldn’t thrive in a good environment. Adoption would be best for both yourself and the baby. Our Birth Parent Counselor will help you sort through these emotions.

Pro: We Offer adoption resources

Our adoption services can help you make an adoption plan. Financial services, such as paying rent or medical exams, and groceries, can come from the adoptive family. Why would a family want to adopt? Maybe they can no longer give birth because they’re an older couple. Perhaps they can’t because they are not medically able to. You might be giving the gift of a baby to a same-sex married couple. Maybe a family has the resources to care for another baby and wants to choose adoption. They might look up adoption agencies near me and find Adoption Choice of Missouri. Then they would fill out a form, and you won’t have to pay for anything.

If you’re in Missouri, Check out Adoption Choices of Missouri

There are many different adoption agencies and services. If you’re in Missouri and type in adoption agencies near me, Adoption Choices of Missouri will pop up. Hopefully, now you understand the pros and cons of choosing adoption. It’ll be a tough decision, but we will help you every step of the way, both emotionally and physically.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

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Unplanned Pregnancy in MO: Understanding Your Options

January 16, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Unplanned Pregnancy in MO: Understanding Your Options

By Andreia Pereira

Your period hasn’t come. It’s been a busy month, and you haven’t kept track of it. As you stare at the calendar, the weeks don’t add up. It’s late, like really late. You don’t want to jump to conclusions. Maybe it’s a health problem. You have been under a lot of stress lately, but there’s a nagging voice in your head. You head to a drugstore and buy a pregnancy test to be safe. The wait for the results is agonizing, and the lines begin to appear, two red ones. Oh no, your heart drops to your stomach as you realize you’re pregnant. What do you do now?

What if you found out too late in the pregnancy? You could be five months in, and there is no baby bump. You could blame the lack of period on the new medication you were taking. Maybe you found out very early that you are expecting. There are a whole bunch of reasons for not noticing, but you decided to go forth with the birth. You can already have a big family and can’t add another individual to the mix. Or maybe you have been having safe sex, but the condom broke and was unintended. Or perhaps you are being sexually active with many people. Whatever the circumstances, you realize you can not become a parent.

What are my options for my unplanned pregnancy in Missouri?

After realizing your pregnancy and juggling through the rampant emotions that follow, you need to make a choice. There are three options when a woman realizes she’s pregnant: parenting, terminating, or adopting. Each person’s reasons are their own, and they should feel safe during this stressful time. With Adoption Choices of Missouri, you won’t be judged. Adoption can be wonderful for a baby if they can’t have a happy and successful life with you. Look up adoption agencies near me and find out if you are within a distance of one. Adoption Choices of Missouri are located in Colombia, Independence, Kansas CIty, St. Louis, and Springfield.

What is the adoption process like?

After you make the decision to choose adoption, you ask yourself, how do I put a baby up for adoption? Not to worry, Adoption Choices of Missouri can help with the process. The first step would be to contact adoption agencies near you. Once you have called, texted, or emailed us, we’ll connect you with your own adoption specialist, who will help you with your adoption plan. They’ll give you paperwork to fill out and inform you about the different types of adoption. They can also help you create a budget for food, medical care, rent, etc. They’ll be able to meet you anywhere from the comfort of your home to a secure location, or if you don’t want to meet face to face, there is also the video/phone option. Our adoption specialist will match you with potential adoptive families and give you their profiles.

You’ll be able to choose your baby’s adoptive family if you pick open or semi-open adoption. Then after you choose the family, the counselor will help you when your due date arrives. After you give your final consent, the baby will be with the adoptive family. Aftercare and counseling will be provided if you are feeling your emotions getting the best of you. You can receive pictures or letters from the parents if you choose open adoption.

What are the services Adoption Choices of Missouri offers?

Adoption Choices of Missouri can help with financial support such as paying for food, giving food stamps, etc. If you need a place to live that is safe, they can also help find your safe housing. We also provide emotional support counseling. Being pregnant is an emotional rollercoaster, not to mention the physical strain. We can lessen your anxiety during this process. You are not alone in this journey!

If you just found out you are pregnant and are not prepared to be a mother, Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

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Missouri Adoption Agencies Near Me

January 12, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Missouri Adoption Agencies Near Me

By Katy Reagan

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, you have options. The emotional and physical toll of pregnancy may leave you feeling like you have no control. Private adoption agencies like ours can give you back that control. Adoption is never black and white, but Adoption Choices of Missouri can walk you through the process. You know what is best for you and your child, and we provide support to make it happen. Adoption puts your child in a loving, supportive home of your choice.

What are licensed, local, and private adoption agencies in Missouri?

There is no right or wrong answer to the question of how to give a baby up for adoption. The important thing is that you make the choice that you believe is right for you and your baby. Adoption Choices of Missouri provides an alternative to public adoption through the state. In public adoption, you do not have a choice in where your baby is placed. Private adoption is when a birth parent voluntarily puts a child up for adoption. With a licensed, local, and private adoption agency like Adoption Choices of Missouri, you are in control.

Private adoption agencies help birth mothers create an adoption plan. You will be assigned an adoption specialist to give you all of your options and walk you through the process. Your adoption specialist will meet with you to learn about your specific needs. You will tell them how you want the adoption to look and any financial needs you have. Together, you will sit down and look at possible adoptive family profiles. You make the final decision on who will adopt your child. From there, you get to decide how you want your relationship with your child and the adoptive family to be.

What are open, semi-open, and closed adoptions in Missouri?

Open, semi-open, and closed adoptions are all options for you. In an open adoption, you will stay present in the child’s life after birth. Open adoptions have full communication between you, the adoptive family, and the child. This option is wonderful for birth mothers who want a relationship with their child but not the responsibility of parenthood.

Semi-open adoptions contain indirect communication through our own communication channel, ChildConnect. You will be able to connect with the adoptive family through a confidential line. This resource is an advantage specific to Adoption Choices of Missouri. We want you to be able to communicate at whatever level you feel comfortable with.

Closed adoptions contain zero communication with the adoptive family or the child. Whatever your choice, Adoption Choices of Missouri will support you. We know that every situation is different, and only you know what is best. Once you make your decision, we will make sure it is respected.

Advantages of Adoption Choices of Missouri for birth mothers

We know facing an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy is an overwhelming time for you. You may feel alone and scared, but Adoption Choices of Missouri is here for you in every way. We will do everything we can to make the time during and after your pregnancy as smooth as possible. You will never be alone at any point during the adoption process.

Your adoption specialist will advocate for you from your first meeting. They will have all the paperwork that explains what you want, and they will follow through with it. When you go into the hospital, they will be beside you. A hospital plan will already be in place, and they will fight for anything you need. Your adoption specialist will be there for you emotionally and physically.

During your pregnancy, we will make sure you have medical care, safe housing, professional counseling, and financial support. In your adoption plan, we will help you outline everything you will need to be comfortable. Many of these services will be provided by the adoptive family. Depending on your financial situation, they may pay for hospital bills, travel, clothes, and housing, among other things. Everything you need will be provided for you.

Our resources do not end after birth because your needs don’t end when you leave the hospital. The love, compassion, and support you’ve received from us will continue. You will always be a part of our family and our top priority. You can attend unlimited, free counseling sessions provided by us for as long as you need. Healing is a process, and our support doesn’t end.

Private adoption agencies near me in Missouri

If you are looking for adoption agencies near me, Adoption Choices of Missouri has you covered. Wherever you are in Missouri, we can help you. All you need to do is give us a call or text, and you will get to talk to one of our adoption specialists. You can set up a one-on-one appointment to go over your situation. We will guide you based on your specific needs. Your case is as personal to us as it is to you. We will provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for your baby.

If you are a pregnant woman looking for the help of an adoption agency, Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

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Facts about Choosing Adoption in Missouri

January 9, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Facts about Choosing Adoption in Missouri

By Andreia Pereira

I’m sure you know what adoption is: when you give a baby up, and someone else raises them. But did you know there are different types of adoption? You could also choose adoption before you give birth. You can also select the family that adopts. There are also many reasons to choose adoption, from unplanned pregnancies to single mothers. After you think it through, the next question would be, where are adoption agencies near me? What is the adoption process like? Will I have help during the whole pregnancy? If you are a birth mother looking for adoption in Missouri, then choosing Adoption Choices of Missouri is a great option! They will help you every step of the way and provide many beneficial services.

Choosing Adoption can be more than just an Unplanned Pregnancy

Let’s say you are a young teen who discovered you’re pregnant. You are too young to become a parent, and you have already planned to go to college. You don’t want to terminate the pregnancy and can’t parent the baby. The next step would be adoption. Let’s look at some examples for choosing adoption.

Not Ready to or Do Not Want to Parent
Religious Beliefs: You may have grown up in a conservative household, and pregnancy before marriage might be considered taboo.
Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence: You might have been a victim of a sexual assault and have decided not to parent the baby.
Not in the Right Financial State
Homelessness

There are so many reasons for adoption, but the best result is that the baby will be raised in a loving home with a family that loves them.

The adoption process can be inexpensive

The first step after realizing you have an unplanned pregnancy would be to look up adoption agencies and contact them. If you live in Missouri, try Adoption Choices of Missouri. Once you contact us, you can set up the first appointment with our Birth Parent Counselor, whether it’s in person, at one of our sites, or on the phone. We are here to help you on your pregnancy journey. Next would be choosing an adoption plan. This is when you decide what type of adoption you want: an open, semi-open, or closed adoption. You can choose an adoptive family if you choose open adoption.

Our adoption specialist chooses the family if you choose the closed option. Don’t worry. Only your medical history will be shared if you choose a closed adoption. They won’t ever contact you; everything will be through Adoption Choices of Missouri. We can also help you find help financially. Living expenses can also be covered, such as food, transportation, rent, etc.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

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Requirements for Placing a Baby for Adoption in Missouri

January 5, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Requirements for Placing a Baby for Adoption in Missouri

By Katy Reagan

Adoption is never easy, but it can be a smooth process with the right support. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your baby. The phrase “giving a baby up for adoption” is said a lot, but that is not the phrase we like to use. We prefer “placing a baby for adoption” because you are not giving up anything or anyone. You are making a choice to put your child in the best home possible for them. No matter how overwhelmed or scared you may be, you are making the best life for you and your child. When looking at adoption agencies near me, the first step is to know the requirements for placing a baby in Missouri.

Birth Mothers do not have to pay anything to place a baby in Missouri

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, there is no cost to you to put your child up for adoption. You might be wondering what the requirements are for placing your baby. Everything you need will be provided for you. Adoption Choices of Missouri will provide you with any needed resources, including counseling after birth. Missouri has regulations set in place for things you can require the adoptive family to pay for as well. Any or all of these will be stated in an adoption plan.

The following are adoptive family expenses that Missouri accepts:

Medical costs related to maternity
Housing for birth mother during pregnancy
Food
Transportation, food, and lodging for required travel
Maternity clothes
Other expenses the court deems necessary

You have control through the entire adoption process

An unwanted or unplanned pregnancy can be a time when you feel like you don’t have a lot of control. But you do have control over the adoption process. Missouri requires you to wait 48 hours after birth to terminate your parental rights. You have the final say on everything that happens with your pregnancy and child up until those 48 hours after birth. After giving consent to terminate your parental rights, the adoption becomes final.

After contacting Adoption Choices of Missouri, you will work with someone to create your adoption plan. All of your decisions and requirements will be written out for everyone involved to agree with. Your own adoption specialist will make sure your wishes are carried out. You decide on the adoptive family and how much communication you’ll have with the child after birth if any. You can choose an open, semi-open, or closed adoption.

The birth father’s role in the adoption process

Adoption can proceed whether or not the father of the child is involved. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to provide resources and legal guidance if he is unknown or unsupportive. The birth father’s role is not black and white, so adoption laws will be applied to your specific situation. We know relationships can be messy, so you will have help figuring out what is best for your child.

Missouri law does not require his consent if the birth father is unknown. The birth father’s consent is also not needed if he is deemed unfit. For example, certain disabilities or already-terminated parental rights make him unfit.

Consent is required from putative or presumed fathers who have not been deemed unfit. A putative father is a man who is not married to the birth mother and legally claims the child. Missouri has a putative father registry, and consent will be required if he is on it. A presumed father is married to the birth mother or has been divorced from her within 300 days of birth.

If you’re unsure of how to gain consent or if you need it, we will advise you. We get to know you and your situation to send you in the right direction. We provide legal counsel to make sure the process is as smooth as possible. No matter how overwhelmed you are, we will be fighting for you and your baby’s rights.

Adoption Choices of Missouri will help you create an adoption plan

It can be hard to know how to give a baby up for adoption. Adoption Choices of Missouri takes the pressure off of you by assigning you a Birth Parent Counselor. Together you will look at your situation and create an adoption plan. Paperwork will outline how you want your adoption to look. This includes any financial assistance you need and the involvement you want to have with the adoptive family going forward.

You will sit down with the adoption specialist and look at adoptive family profiles to find out who you think fits best. Once you choose the adoptive family, you will be matched. They will provide the support you need to make pregnancy easiest for you and the baby.

When it comes time to give birth, a birth hospital plan will already be in place. This will state who has access to you and the baby. In addition, your adoption specialist will be at the hospital to advocate for you.

You can choose adoption any time during pregnancy or after birth

There is always time to choose adoption. Adoption agencies are here for you whenever you decide to put your child up for adoption. You may have known the moment you found out you were pregnant that you were not ready for motherhood. You may have found out you could not give your child the life you wanted to after bringing them home. Every situation is different, but we understand. We know you only want the best for your child, and we will help you make that happen.

If you are a woman wondering if adoption is possible for you and your baby, we can walk you through the process. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

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Pregnant Teenagers in Missouri: Should you choose Adoption?

January 2, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Pregnant Teenagers in Missouri: Should you choose Adoption?

By Andreia Pereira

So you realized you’re pregnant, now what? You might think you have to go through with it, or maybe you’re not ready to be a parent. You actually have three choices: to become a parent, terminate the pregnancy, or choose adoption. Being a teen is already hard, going to school and juggling work, but adding a child is even more challenging. With Adoption Choices of Missouri, the process won’t seem so scary. We can provide counseling, financial support, housing, and more! If the baby is already here, we can also provide help!

I’m a Teen, Should I Choose Adoption?

There are a lot of reasons for choosing adoption. Many people think it’s only for unplanned pregnancies. However, there can be many reasons. You could be financially unable to have a child. You could be scared about becoming a parent. The birth father might not be supportive. Whatever the reason, choosing adoption can help in many positive ways.

First, choosing adoption is free! We will be able to help you through the pregnancy and even after birth. Adoptions Choices of Missouri can help with financial support, safe housing, medical care, and support counseling. If you need emotional support through this tough time, please contact us. We would be happy to help!

The 3 Types of Adoption

With adoption, you have three types of adoption: open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption.

Open adoption is when you and the adoptive family have information about each other. You can even choose the family you want to be adopted from. This included choosing ethnicity, religion, and more! You can keep each other updated through the pregnancy and even until after birth. You can get pictures or have in-person visits with the child. Both families can agree on how many visits or the length, depending on what’s best for the child.
Semi-open adoption is in the middle, where information can be shared with you or via a third person/agency. You can get photos, emails, or any other information. You don’t need to visit the family after.
Closed adoption is when no information is provided. You and the adoptive family will know little or nothing about each other. Adoption Choices of Missouri can choose the adoptive family for you.

The Steps in the Adoption Process

You might be thinking, how to give a baby up for adoption? The first step would be to contact us! There are many adoption agencies in Missouri. You can just click adoption agencies near me to find one near you. We can set up an in-person or phone appointment to meet with our Birth Parent counselor. Next is choosing what type of adoption plan you would want and setting up a financial budget. The counselor will give you information on potential adoptive families. After you choose a family, you’ll be able to talk to them or meet with them if you want. Throughout the process, we will be there to help. Once the due date is near, you can choose who will be at the hospital with you. The counselor will also be there to help you. After you give your final consent, the baby will leave with the adoptive family. You can always change your mind about adoption before you sign the final consent. After the birth, we can also help you with emotional support counseling.

Want to Have a Voice in Your Teen Pregnancy?

As a teen, you might think that adults will take over the entire process, but that isn’t true. If you want to be involved in every part of the process, please contact us! It is your pregnancy, and you deserve to be represented in the way you want to. Whether you are 13 or 16, you will have a voice with us!

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 816-527-9800.