I’m in Labor and Don’t Want to Parent Missouri

I’m in Labor and Don’t Want to Parent: Adoption in Missouri is an Option

February 23, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

I’m in Labor and Don’t Want to Parent: Adoption in Missouri is an Option

By Elle Kerrigan

Motherhood is a large step in life that not every person wishes to take. Everyone’s journey in pregnancy is different, and you may decide later in the process that you want to place your baby for adoption. You may even be in labor when you make this choice. It is never too late to choose last-minute adoption for your child. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, our compassionate adoption specialists help ease the stress of unplanned pregnancy. We are a licensed adoption agency with locations throughout Missouri and a 24-hour phone line, so you can be sure that help is always near.

Where do I Begin with Adoption in Missouri?

No matter where you are in your pregnancy, you can contact Adoption Choices of Missouri to inquire about or begin the adoption process. We have kind and knowledgeable coordinators that are available to speak, text, or e-mail 24/7. Any questions you have about your unique situation can be answered. You may choose to meet with a counselor in person or over the phone. We have five adoption agencies in Missouri where you can discuss what option best suits your needs.

I’m Choosing Adoption. What’s next?

When you choose to proceed with our adoption agency, we will create an adoption plan together. Each detail will be covered, from possible financial assistance to choosing a family. Even last minute, we have many adoptive families ready to give your child a beautiful life. If you do not wish to be included in the process of choosing the adoptive family, that’s okay, too. Our skilled coordinators can do this for you. If your choice is made close to, during, or after labor, don’t worry – you still have plenty of time to build a plan with us.

What Happens After Adoption?

What happens after your child is adopted on the type of adoption you choose? This is all a part of your adoption plan. You may choose the level of contact you’d like to have with your adoptive family post-placement. Even after your baby has been placed, you can contact our agency for support or questions. You may be eligible for financial support toward medical expenses after the adoption has taken place.

I’ve already given birth/left the hospital. Can I still choose adoption?

Yes, you may still place your baby up for adoption if you have given birth or even if you have taken your baby home. This is called after-delivery or hospital adoption. Giving a baby up for adoption is a difficult choice, and every individual makes this choice at a different time. It is not uncommon for this to occur after the baby has been born or has already left the hospital. We have many families ready to adopt, and these families are aware of the possibility of being contacted last minute for an opportunity. We ensure that adoptive parents are well-prepared for hospital adoptions. They can make it to the hospital within hours to make certain the baby will be brought home safely. Our coordinators at Adoption Choices of Missouri are available 24/7 to speak with and create an adoption plan.

What are the Benefits of Choosing Adoption?

An unplanned pregnancy can be scary without support, but we want you to know that adoption has many benefits. Adoption is free for the birth mother and full of support from agencies like Adoption Choices of Missouri. If the thought of parenting a child makes you feel worried, anxious, and unnerved, choosing this path can give you peace. You may even stay in contact with the child as they grow if you wish.

The adoptive family will be grateful for the opportunity to raise a child. These families have hoped and prepared for a child for a long time, meaning they are well-equipped to raise one. You are choosing your child’s parents, so you can feel calm knowing they are in good hands. Above all, if you are not ready to be a parent, you are choosing a better life for yourself and your child. There are endless reasons why parents choose adoption. No matter what yours is, you have given a great gift to all parties.

Deciding to place your baby up for adoption is not only a difficult decision but a compassionate one. A better life for your child and their adoptive family starts with this single choice. If you are pregnant and considering adoption in Missouri, we will support you every step of the way at Adoption Choices of Missouri. We provide support throughout the state in Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, and Independence. We help more than 100 women a year who feel alone in their circumstances; contact us if you feel that a last-minute adoption is right for you.

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 316-803-1096.

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Variations of Transracial Adoption

February 16, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Variations of Transracial Adoption

By Edward Harding

Adoption is a fantastic choice for women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. However, searching for quality information surrounding adoption agencies near you is a different story. Adoption terminology is extensive. Often, adoption agencies in Missouri will utilize various terms that build off of core concepts but emphasize specific scenarios.

Nowhere is this more common than within transracial adoptions. If you are pregnant and considering transracial adoption, chances are you have encountered difficulties filtering only information that pertains to you.

Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help you find what you need. We want you to be prepared throughout this journey in order to make informed decisions.

What does Transracial adoption look like in Missouri?

Transracial adoption is a broad term from which many variations spring. The basic definition of transracial adoption is an adoption involving people of two or more distinct races or ethnicities. Simply put, it involves placing a child with a family of another race.

Within this broad category, there exist many slight variations. These are usually employed to categorize more specific circumstances surrounding Transracial adoption. However, some terms vary simply depending on the location of the adoption agencies you choose. Just as various regions within the United States use different words to describe a sandwich, some agencies employ different terminology. All fall under the banner of Transracial adoption

Transcultural adoption

Placing a child of a different cultural ethnicity with those of another family. For example, placing a Chinese child with an American family. Most Transcultural adoptions are classified under international adoptions, in which a child is adopted by a family from another country. However, this is not always the case, as many cultural groups can coexist within one country.

Interracial Adoption

The most common alternative used to describe Transracial adoptions. Essentially, this term is defined exactly the same as transracial adoption. Placing a child with those of a different race or ethnicity.

Multiracial Adoption

Again, this term has the same definition as transracial adoption. Additionally, it is often used to describe adoptions in which the adoptive family consists of multiple races. For example, a biracial couple consisting of a black father and a white mother might choose to adopt a black child. Alternatively, this same family might choose to adopt a child that shares neither race with the parents. For instance, if the family chose an Asian or Hispanic child, it would also fall under this category.

Why Choose Transracial Adoption in Missouri?

No matter your race, understand that adoption may be a viable option for you. Adoption agencies in Missouri serve birth mothers from a variety of racial and cultural backgrounds. Here are some of the most common reasons why adoption may be right for you.

You aren’t quite ready to be a parent yet: Parenting isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. You may have a strong desire to give your child more opportunities that you cannot offer them. Maybe you would rather give another couple a chance to be parents.
Religious Principles: You may have principles that advocate for a child’s right to life. Adoption allows you to continue to abide by this ideology while also giving you continued freedom.
Poor Living situation: Some birth mothers cannot currently provide a safe home environment for a child. Perhaps you are homeless or suffering from financial strain that would be further complicated by the needs of a newborn.
Addiction: Committing to the recovery process and battling addiction is a time-intensive process. Children need a lot of attention, and you might not be able to provide that on your journey toward self-improvement.

Contact Adoption Agencies of Missouri

Hopefully, you now have a thorough understanding of transracial adoptions and some of the reasons you may consider it yourself. Discuss this option with an advisor when constructing your adoption plan.

Contact Adoption Springfield, MO, or any of our other Missouri offices now. We treat you with respect and dignity and ensure you receive the birth mother benefits you need. There is no charge to place your baby for adoption or for additional support you receive. We offer generous pre and post-placement support options. These include services such as medical care, financial aid, safe housing, and support counseling. The appropriate paperwork can also be completed anywhere within the state. Wherever or whoever you are, Adoption Choices of Missouri is here for you.

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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Choosing an Adoptive Family as a Birth Mother

February 13, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Choosing an Adoptive Family as a Birth Mother

By Katy Reagan

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can leave you feeling unsure of what to do. We know you just want your baby to have the best life possible. Adoption Choices of Missouri can help make that happen. We walk you through the entire adoption process, making sure you have full control. You choose your baby’s adoptive family to make sure they have the loving, safe environment you want. Our agency is made up of real people who want to help you. Many of our birth mothers still stay in touch with their adoptive families and our counselors.

5 types of adoptive families

Same-sex couples: One of our birth mothers, Jessica, chose a gay couple as her baby’s adoptive family. By doing this, she was able to give them a chance to have a child. Same-sex couples can love and provide for children the same as straight couples.
Single parent: It is harder for a single parent than a couple to adopt. While this is the reality, it isn’t fair. Single parents provide homes just as stable and loving as adoptive couples. If you choose a single parent, you are giving them an opportunity they’ve never had.
Traditional Family: Some birth mothers may prefer their child to grow up with both a mother and father. The traditional family–a married mother and father–is an option for birth mothers. No matter your child’s gender, they will have someone to look up to and learn from.
Military family: A military adoptive family may be the best option for you if you grew up in a military family. You might be thankful for how much you were able to travel and want the same for your child. This type of adoptive family has the structure necessary to raise a successful child.
Transracial family: A transracial family is of a different race, ethnicity, or culture than your child. This is a wonderful option for a birth mother wanting their child to be exposed to different cultures. This grows an appreciation for diversity.

How Adoption Choices of Missouri reviews adoptive families

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, your biggest concern right now is protecting your child. So how do adoption agencies in Missouri review possible adoptive families? Adoption Choices of Missouri thoroughly evaluates our families to make sure they can provide the safe home you want. We require background checks, medical records, and home visits.

Adoptive families must fill out an adoption application. This gives us important information about them and outlines how the adoption process will go. Our counselors will visit their homes to learn more about them and evaluate the living space. Our counselors also educate and prepare adoptive families for adoption.

When the family creates an adoptive family profile to tell birth mothers about them, the matching process begins.

Beginning the matching process in Missouri adoption agencies

To begin the matching process, all you have to do is contact us. We have adoption specialists available 24/7 to speak to you about your options. You will meet your Birth Parent Counselor to outline your wants and needs. Then, together you will review adoptive family profiles. These will be families that we think you will fit well with. You have the final say on the family you want to adopt your child.

Once you’ve been matched with the family of your choice, you will create an adoption plan. This will outline how you want the adoption process to go. You can choose between an open, semi-open, or closed adoption. With open adoption, you will have full communication with the adoptive family and your child. You will have limited communication through our secure channel in a semi-open adoption. In a closed adoption, there will be zero communication or identifying information.

Amber, one of our birth mothers, speaks about how open adoption was the best thing for her. With our help, she was able to create a better life for herself and help another family adopt. She spoke openly with them before the adoption, and they still have a relationship today. She gets pictures of her son every month and sees him once a year. Through Adoption Choices of Missouri, she is able to still play a big role in his life.

The adoption process is personalized for you

You have probably Googled “Adoption agencies near me” and “Adoption Springfield MO” to find the right adoption agency for you. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we get to know you to make sure we’re the right fit. Adoption is never an easy choice, but we walk you through the entire process. Our Birth Parent Counselors are with you from the first phone call.

One of our birth mothers, Cassie, speaks about how personalized the process was for her. When she was unable to drive, her adoption specialists drove her to sign the final paperwork. Our birth mothers and their Birth Parent Counselors stay in touch after the adoption is finalized. We are invested in your health, happiness, and success. When you need advice, legal help, or even a place to stay, we will help you get it.

If you are a pregnant woman searching for guidance on adoption and choosing an adoptive family. 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

5 Benefits of Choosing Adoption in Missouri

February 9, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

5 Benefits of Choosing Adoption in Missouri

By Xihan Sun

Life is unpredictable and unexpected pregnancies happen every day. It is completely normal for you to panic and feel overwhelmed at the beginning of an unplanned pregnancy, but there are options for you. Terminating your pregnancy is no longer a viable choice for birth mothers in Missouri since last year’s abortion ban. While you can choose to parent your child, we want to introduce the option of choosing adoption. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to show you the 5 benefits of choosing adoption in Missouri and how we can help.

1. You Will Receive Support When Choosing Adoption in Missouri

We understand adoption may seem scary if you are dealing with it on your own. However, you never have to complete it by yourself. There are many adoption agencies if you are wondering, “are there any adoption agencies near me?” If you choose to proceed with your adoption plan with an adoption agency, you will receive all kinds of support.

Besides one-on-one help with your basic concerns and questions, you will also receive other assistance. Adoption Choices of Missouri will find the best medical resources for birth mothers. You may also apply for financial assistance for necessary expenses, and you can find more information on our website. You will also get suggestions and assistance when choosing an adoptive family for your child. There will also be therapy sessions and consulting throughout your pregnancy because we want you to stay mentally healthy. You are welcome to check more adoption resources on the Adoption Choices of Missouri website.

2. Adoption Means Responsibility and Offering Your Child a Better Life

Every adoption is different, and it is okay not to be ready to raise a child. In fact, many birth mothers choose adoption because their current situations are not suitable for their children. Therefore, placing your child up for adoption is a responsible move at this point. Adoption does not mean abandonment, and you will make careful and vital decisions before the end of your adoption. You will make sure the adoptive family is capable of providing the life you want for your child. Choosing adoption means your child will receive unconditional love and care.

3. You Are Helping Create a New Family

Besides providing your child with a better future, adoption is beneficial in another way. There Are couples waiting to complete their families, and you are helping a family achieve this dream. It is not only brave but also noble to give your child up for adoption. Adoption Choices of Missouri appreciate your effort and thought, and we will provide everything we can to help you.

4. You Can Still Participate in Your Child’s Future Even After Adoption

Many birth mothers are afraid to choose adoption because they think adoption means farewell to their children forever. This does not necessarily have to be the case. There are three types of adoption for you to choose from: open adoption, semi-closed adoption, and closed adoption. These types of adoption represent different contact levels between you, the adoptive family, and your child. You can discuss this with your counselor about the right adoption type for you. Depending on the adoption type you choose, you may even participate in future holiday events or other activities.

5. You Can Proceed With Your Personal Life Goals

Birth mothers have different stories of why they choose adoption, and we respect them all without judgment. It is common for birth mothers to choose adoption in Springfield, MO, because they are pursuing other personal life goals. We want birth mothers to get back on their feet and proceed with their life. Adoption is only a page of your life, and you should focus on your future. Adoption Choices of Missouri has professional counselors to help you deal with post-adoption grief and other challenges.

Understanding the 5 Benefits of Choosing Adoption in MO

If you decide to put your child up for adoption, there are many adoption agencies in Missouri to help you. Adoption Choices of Missouri has helped many birth mothers, and we want to make your pregnancy a careless journey. There are several steps to complete before we finalize your adoption process.

To begin with, you can contact Adoption Choices of Missouri through an email or a phone call. We will then assign an adoption counselor to help you. You will mainly work with your counselor during your pregnancy, and your counselor is responsible for your questions. Another major task for you and your counselor is to create a personalized adoption plan.

Your adoption plan will include some essential decisions and information. This information includes your adoption type, the level of contact with your child, preferences for an adoptive family, etc. Your pregnancy and adoption will proceed with your adoption plan.

Finding an Adoption Agency in Missouri

Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy can be frustrating because your adoption process consumes both physical and mental energy. However, we do not want you to hesitate about your decision simply because of this. If you are pregnant and considering adoption, Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to support you. You can consult any questions about adoption, and we will try our best to help you with them. You can visit us at our office in Kansas City, and we can also come to you if necessary.

Adoption Choices of Missouri is a professional private adoption agency that helps birth parents with their pregnancy. We treat all birth mothers with empathy and respect because we understand that adoption can be difficult. Pregnancy requires timely responses and actions, so we are ready to assist you at any time.

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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Am I in Control of My Adoption Plan?

February 6, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Am I in Control of My Adoption Plan?

By Shannon Reilly

If you are interested in reading this article, the chances are that you or someone you know has become pregnant. If the instance is that you have fallen pregnant and you are not sure of all of your options, you have come to the right place. You have three main choices in the state of Missouri.

Parenting the child.
Terminating the pregnancy.
Putting the child up for adoption.

If you think about all of your options and decide that adoption in Missouri may be something you are interested in doing, we are here to give you more information about what that process and your adoption plan may look like. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we are here for you, whatever you may choose to do.

How to Give a Baby Up for Adoption

The adoption process may seem like a long and hard one, but with the help of an adoption counselor, you will be guided through the things that need to be done in order to place your baby up for adoption in Springfield, MO. The first step is to contact Adoption Choices of Missouri. After contacting Adoption Choices of Missouri, you will be prompted to set up your first meeting with one of our counselors. You will set up an appointment to come to the office, and if that is something you are not currently comfortable with, there are no worries. One of our counselors will come to you or set up a phone or virtual meeting.

Creating the adoption plan

Within this first meeting, you will begin discussing the creation of your adoption plan. Your counselor will offer paperwork to do so. These will include what kind of resources you may need throughout the pregnancy as well as what type of adoption you would like to move forward with. You are in control of your adoption plan and what type of adoption you would like to choose. There are three types of adoption in Missouri.

Level of Openness for an Adoption

Open Adoption

This type of adoption is where you will have direct contact with the adoptive parents, and both parties will share personal information with one another, such as phone numbers. You will remain in contact up to the extent that you and the adoptive parents agree upon throughout the pregnancy as well as after the birth.

Semi-Open Adoption

This type of adoption process is where there is no direct contact between you and the adoptive parents. Instead, you will communicate through Adoption Choices of Missouri or your assigned counselor. Some personal information may be shared, but not to the extent of open adoption. This goes for during the remainder of your pregnancy as well as after the birth.

Closed Adoption

This adoption process is where there will be no contact with the adoptive family, directly or through our adoption agencies in Missouri. No personal information will be shared throughout the pregnancy or after the birth except for your medical history.

Choosing the adoptive family

After completing your adoption plan, your counselor will offer you profiles to review in order to choose an adoptive family. Once you have decided on a family, you will begin receiving your resources throughout the rest of your pregnancy as well as up to six weeks after the birth.

Your Adoption Birth Plan

After all of the paperwork is done and you have chosen a family, you will wait for the time to come to give birth to your baby. You will have already created a birth plan with your counselor, and the counselor will be present when you are in labor for support. This is also when the adoptive family will meet the child and where you will give your last consent before they leave the hospital with the child.

Post-placement support

This step comes after the birth and finalization of the adoption. You will have already set up the boundaries with the adoptive family regarding visits with the child and communication throughout their lives.

You are in Control of Your Adoption Plan!

It all comes down to what you are comfortable doing when going through the adoption process. The adoption plan is made with your best interest in mind as well as the child’s. We are here to support you in your choice and how you want your adoption plan to play out.

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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What types of families can adopt my baby in Missouri?

February 2, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

What types of families can adopt my baby in Missouri?

By Katy Reagan

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, you’re probably worried about who will be adopting your child. Well, Adoption Choices of Missouri can ease that fear. We fit the adoptive family to you and your needs. With us, you get to know who will be raising your child. This way, you can rest assured they will grow up in a loving and supportive home. Any requirements you have regarding the adoptive family will be met during the matching process. And if you’re unsure of what you want, we can offer guidance. We know birth mothers and children are very diverse, so our adoptive families are too. Get to know some of your options for the types of families to adopt your baby.

What are possible adoptive families in Missouri?

Same-Sex Couples/LGBTQ+ Families

LGBTQ+ families offer a home where children can be themselves and find their identity. As a minority, LGBTQ+ couples can raise your child from that unique perspective. This allows for acceptance and understanding. Choosing this type of family could be right for you if you yourself are a minority.

Single Parent

Adopting has traditionally been more difficult for single parents. There is no justified reason for this because single parents are just as capable of raising a child as couples. Choosing a single parent may be best for you if you want to give them a chance they deserve. If you were raised by a single parent and know how beneficial it was, that may be another reason.

Traditional Married Mother and Father

You may have found memories of both your mother and father and want the same for your child. The traditional family with a mother and father offers this. No matter your child’s gender, they will have someone to share their experience with. This can offer specific guidance other types of a family cannot. If your values align with the traditional family, you can find exactly what you want in this type of family.

Transracial Family

A transracial family is an adoptive family of a different race, ethnicity, or culture than your child. Choosing this type of family can broaden your child’s horizons. They can experience a culture different than their own and learn to appreciate diversity and inclusion.

How does Adoption Choices of Missouri review adoptive families?

If you are looking into adoption agencies near me, a big question is how do we keep your child safe? We make sure all our adoptive families can provide the safe and loving home you want. They have been thoroughly evaluated through background checks, medical records, and home studies.

They are required to fill out an adoption application that outlines the adoption process and all that is needed from them. Our adoption specialists also conduct a home study, where they visit the adoptive family’s home. Here they gather information about the family and educate and prepare them for raising a child. The adoption specialist evaluates the family and living space for adoption.

The family must create an adoptive family profile for birth mothers to look over. This gives an overview of who they are and their history.

How to start the matching process for a Missouri adoptive family?

So you’ve looked into adoption agencies in Missouri and Adoption Springfield, MO, and want to know more? The first step is to contact us. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and start you with your own Birth Parent Counselor. Together you will review your case and look at adoptive family profiles. Once you choose one based on your preferences, you will be matched with the family.

Once you’ve been matched, you will create an adoption plan. Everything you need for this to go as smoothly as possible will be provided.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn about possible adoptive families, 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

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.

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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.

Adoption agencies in Missouri Birth Mother Blog

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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