Birth Mother Blog

How COVID-19 Affects Adoption in Missouri 

August 26, 2020

How COVID-19 Affects Adoption in Missouri 

In the COVID-19 pandemic, we are faced with so many confusing questions: What’s safe? What’s not? Where can I go? Can I see people in person? How do I stay healthy? If you’re unexpectedly pregnant, you’re dealing with a lot right now: On top of figuring out what’s best for you and your baby, you have to factor in pandemic safety precautions and the uncertainty of COVID-19. You may be wondering if adoption is still an option. It is! You can still safely place your baby for adoption during this pandemic. 

Adoption Choices of Missouri is still open and offering full services during the pandemic. We are always here to help you through every step of your adoption journey. 

Here are some answers to questions you might have about how COVID-19 affects adoption in Missouri:

Is the Adoption Process Still the Same? 

Yes! You can still make an adoption plan just as you would have before COVID-19. You will still work with one of our adoption caseworkers, who will provide support and resources and answer any questions you have. You will still fill out paperwork, choose the type of adoption that works for your needs, browse prospective adoptive parent profiles and match with the family you want to adopt your baby. 

The only difference is that all of this will happen online or over the phone. Even though our physical offices are closed right now, we are working remotely to make adoption possible for you. 

Keep in mind there may be some delays since everyone must practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It might take a little longer to communicate with everyone involved in the adoption process. For example, families hoping to adopt must go through interviews and home studies, which are usually conducted in person. Because of COVID-19 safety measures, completing these protocols might be slower. But don’t worry; there are still many families waiting to open their homes and hearts to an adopted baby. We are working hard to make sure you connect safely with an adoptive family. 

If I Want to Communicate with the Adoptive Family, is that Still Possible? 

Absolutely! If you’ve chosen an open adoption, you can meet the adoptive family using ZOOM, Skype, FaceTime or other video chat apps. Your adoption caseworker can set up a virtual meeting or call for you. 

Should I Postpone My Prenatal Doctor’s Appointments? 

No. You should still see your doctor. Prenatal check-ups are important to ensure that you and your baby are healthy. Your doctor will give you advice about how to protect you and your baby’s health throughout your pregnancy and during the pandemic.

It’s totally understandable if COVID-19 makes you nervous about going to the doctor’s office. Ask your healthcare provider what measures they’re taking to keep their patients safe during in-person visits. You may even be able to meet virtually with your doctor over the phone or video. Check with your doctor to see if they want to see you in person or if you can make a telehealth appointment instead. 

I’d like the Adoptive Family to be with Me at My Prenatal Appointments.  Who is allowed in the Doctor’s Office? 

Different healthcare providers have different rules about visitors to keep everyone healthy and safe. Check with your healthcare provider to see if you’re allowed to have someone accompany you to your doctor’s appointments. 

I’m about to Give Birth. What will My Hospital Experience be Like? 

It is still safe to give birth at a hospital, where professionals can provide the best care. Your labor and delivery team will do everything they can to protect your health and your baby. 

Before entering the hospital, you will be screened and/or tested for COVID-19. If you test positive or are suspected of having COVID-19, don’t worry. You will still be cared for, just in another part of the hospital in order to prevent the spread of disease. 

Your labor plan should be the same as it would be normally pre-pandemic. Generally, COVID-19 should not change the preferred timing and method of your delivery. Check with your doctor to see if you need to make any modifications. 

Your labor and delivery team will wear masks and other personal protective equipment. Ask your doctor about whether or not you should wear a mask during labor and delivery. 

Can I have Visitors with Me when I Give Birth?  

Ask your healthcare provider about their visitor policies for mothers in labor. You’ll likely be limited to one support person in the delivery room/maternity ward with you for the duration of your hospital stay. This visitor could be a family member, a friend, a member of the adoptive family, a doula, your adoption caseworker, etc. 

Visitors will be screened for symptoms. They must wear a face covering and follow all other public health and hospital guidelines. Check with your hospital to figure out when visitors are allowed to visit and which hospital entrance they should use. 

Ask your caseworker and healthcare provider about options to video chat so more people can be virtually present for the birth of your baby.  

How Long will I Stay in the Hospital? 

You’ll be discharged as soon as safely possible to minimize your time spent at the hospital. Returning home quickly protects your health and prevents exposure to COVID-19. Your care team will ensure that you are in good health and fully ready to be discharged before you are sent home. 

The Family Adopting My Baby doesn’t Live Locally. How is COVID-19 affecting their Travel Plans? 

These days, traveling is more complicated. Taking a flight, riding a bus or train or driving can increase the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19. If your adoptive family is traveling from out of town to meet your baby at the hospital, they will need to find a transportation solution that follows public health requirements for safe travel. Your hospital and your caseworker will ensure that your baby is safely delivered to the adoptive parents. 

How COVID-19 Affects Adoption in Missouri: You can Still Choose Adoption

We may be in the middle of a pandemic, but our adoption agency is still operating and providing the same services and support for birth mothers. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we are here to help you with your unplanned pregnancy and keep you healthy. COVID-19 may understandably cause some worries, frustrations, or difficulties as you go through the adoption process, but you can still safely choose to place your baby for adoption in a loving home. 

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 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Zoë Bowlus, a writing and editing enthusiast, considers herself a grammar groupie and suffers from a weakness for wordplay and working with words, whether she is reading, furiously typing away, playing Words with Friends, or filling in the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle.  

She was adopted from Vietnam as a baby and began exploring her adoptee identity in Asian American Studies and Communication courses at UC Santa Barbara. As she combed through adoption literature for her last essay of college (she graduated with highest honors in 2020), she was inspired to use the research, editing, and writing skills she developed in college and her personal experience to create resources and share stories about adoption in a professional context. Writing for Adoption Choices, Zoë hopes to support people on their adoption journeys and to grow as an adoptee herself. 

Zoë is an aspiring cat lady who is allergic to cats. She enjoys curling up with homemade hot chocolate, kettle corn, and a good book but laments the absence of a feline reading companion. Her bedside table and bookshelves are overflowing with World War II historical fiction, Asian American and Mexico-U.S. borderlands fiction, contemporary fiction, grammar and style books, and collections of profiles. She spends an inordinate amount of time playing bridge.  

An avid NBA fan, Zoë lives in Sacramento, the primary reason anyone would root for the Kings. She holds out hope that they will make it to the playoffs during her lifetime. 

Birth Mother

Healthy Foods to Eat with Unplanned Pregnancy 

August 14, 2020

Healthy Foods to Eat with Unplanned Pregnancy 

Whether you are just finding out you are pregnant or have been going through an unplanned pregnancy for some time, eating healthy foods is essential for the development and growth of your baby. What you used to eat or drink before pregnancy may not be healthy now that you are pregnant and changes to your diet may have to happen. As your body goes through many changes during pregnancy, consuming healthy foods is important so that your body and baby can be supported during such changes. The emphasis on this is also because everything you eat or drink, your baby will also eat and drink. 

This week Adoption Choices of Missouri will be discussing healthy foods to eat with an unplanned pregnancy. Don’t worry if you are unsure because we are here to help you in every way possible. We can provide assistance and information for your unplanned pregnancy to make it as least stressful as possible! Choosing adoption is a loving decision and so is taking care of yourself and the baby!! 

What to Eat on a Daily Basis

Media often portrays being pregnant as an excuse to eat whatever you want; but, in reality, that is not the case for having a healthy pregnancy. Eating proportioned healthy foods each day is best even if you are not feeling very hungry. You will have cravings for specific foods and maybe even foods you didn’t eat before your pregnancy, which is normal. It is also completely valid to feel overwhelmed by all the foods you can and should eat versus those that you should not consume. We’re here to help you determine and make the right choices for your diet during pregnancy. 

First, you should aim to eat three substantial meals each day that include the main food groups such as fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy and grains. Try to consume fewer foods with high fat and sugar content as they contain less nutritious value. Remember that you should also indulge in cravings as long as they are in moderation. 

Protein:

  • Foods that have high content in protein are very important, and protein is not only found in meat, poultry or fish. You can also satisfy your daily protein servings with eggs, lentils, chickpeas, cottage cheese and seeds. 

Vegetables:

  • Vegetables also contain important nutrients including iron, fiber, vitamin A and potassium. Think of leafy greens like spinach, broccoli and kale when you eat your next meal as they provide healthy digestion. 

Fruits:

  • Additionally, fruits are a good substitute for eating something sweet that also provides nutrition to you and your baby. Eating berries provide antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber, which promotes a strong immune system. Other fruits that can support your diet include, apricots, bananas, mangoes, pears and oranges, all of which are full of essential vitamins and minerals. 

Dairy:

  • Dairy is important for you to gain calcium which helps the development of your baby’s bones, teeth, muscles and nerves. Some sources of calcium that are good to consume include milk, yogurt and cheese. 

Grains:

  • Grains contain good carbohydrates that your body needs during pregnancy. Eating whole grains like bread and cereal can provide you with iron, fiber and folic acid. 

Keep in mind that Adoption Choices of Missouri can help you financially with food and groceries. We will set a budget with you and ensure you have access to healthy food!

Take Prenatal Vitamins

As you start on a vitamin-rich diet during your unplanned pregnancy, you also need to take prenatal vitamins as soon as possible. Taking your regular daily multivitamin is not the same as prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins provide more direct nutrients that aid in the development and growth of your baby. Once you determine you are pregnant, go to your doctor and he or she will guide you through which ones to take and the right dosage. When you go to buy your prenatal vitamins at the pharmacy, look for these four essential nutrients that are beneficial to pregnancy: folic acid, iron, calcium and vitamin D. Folic acid is important for the early development of your baby, specifically to help prevent birth defects of your baby’s brain and spine. Iron helps to provide healthy blood flow for you and your baby as well as oxygen flow. Calcium helps your baby’s bones, teeth, muscles, and nerves develop strong. Vitamin D supports a healthy immune system and further bone development of your baby. Again, Adoption Choices of Missouri can help you with vitamins and getting medical support! 

Don’t Forget Water

As part of healthy foods to eat with unplanned pregnancy, there is also the importance of drinking enough water each day. During pregnancy, you will need to drink plenty of water, around 8-12 glasses daily. This will help your digestion and make sure the nutrients get to your baby. Water can also help your skin stay hydrated, boost your energy, reduce the chance of a urinary tract infection, and the risk of a premature birth. Always have water nearby to avoid dehydration which can cause headaches. If you find it difficult to drink a sufficient amount of water each day, try adding fresh fruits to your water like lemons or limes. 

Health Foods to Eat during Pregnancy

These are some of the healthy foods to eat during an unplanned pregnancy and those to avoid. Remember that eating healthy is part of taking care of yourself and your baby. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Adoption Choices of Missouri and we will be glad to get you assistance.

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 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Melissa Benedek is currently a junior at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. She is a Literature major with interest in American regional writing. One of her on-campus jobs focuses on organizing volunteer opportunities with local partnerships for students. She is also a founding editor of Sonnet Literary Magazine based out of her college campus.

When not focused on academics, Melissa enjoys traveling into New York City to support independent bookstores and buy the best cookies at Levain Bakery.

 

Birth Mother

The Benefits of Transracial Adoption

July 15, 2020 No Comments

The Benefits of Transracial Adoption

As you begin to seriously consider adoption and start on your adoption journey, you may be thinking about transracial adoption. Committing to a life-changing decision, like adoption, requires self-reflection and open-mindedness. This goes for both the birth and adoptive parents. Transracial adoption can be a positive experience for the adoptee, especially when the adoptive family respects the adoptee’s cultural identity and promotes positive acceptance. This helps the adoptee have greater self-esteem and prevents isolation within the adoptive family.

Through many successful transracial adoption stories, you may be wondering what the advantages are and how they can be achieved. This week, Adoption Choices of Missouri will be discussing the benefits of transracial adoption and how adoptive families can practice them. 

Acknowledgement and Acceptance 

Before adopting a child of another race, prospective parents should do some deliberate introspection. To realize it is necessary and healthy to acknowledge, respect and celebrate a child’s race that is different from their own. Adoptive parents cannot begin to embrace diversity within their home and their lives until they have done so. Further, adoptive parents need to be open to cultural understanding as they accept their adoptive child’s racial and cultural identities. An adoptive family projecting their own biases onto their transracial adoptee will create division, isolation and reinforce stereotypes. Adoptive parents who acknowledge and accept the racial and cultural identities of their transracial adoptee can cultivate racial awareness within their home and their community. 

Acknowledgement and acceptance breed positivity. Only then will a transracial adoptee know that he or she belongs and are welcomed within their adoptive family. Adoptive parents can establish positive and open communication with their child where they can talk together, listen and value each other. When an adoptee can openly communicate with their adoptive parents without feeling afraid, he or she knows that they are in a safe space. 

Embracing Diversity

Another one of the benefits of transracial adoption is that both adoptive parents and the adoptee can grow together in their home and community. Adoptive parents can embrace diversity within the home through providing cultural outlets of learning that spark communication and understanding through art, books, music, TV shows and movies. Living in a community that is racially and culturally diverse is essential, as it provides the opportunity to interact with people with different cultural backgrounds and prevents the development of intolerance. It is also beneficial when finding positive role models, schools and extracurricular activities for your child. 

Further, embracing diversity means creating a relationship between your child and his or her culture. Adoptive parents must make an effort to surround themselves and their child with experiences that teach about their child’s heritage. Prioritizing your child’s culture is critical for adoptive parents, so that their child sees and knows his or her culture and is not subjected to assimilating into a culture and identity that does not represent him or her. 

Breaking Stereotypes

Criticism surrounding transracial adoption stems from inherent biases that are left unchecked, becoming the standard for what a family should be and should look like. However, being a transracial adoptive parent shows that families are not and do not have to be conventional. Stereotypes try to doubt the validity of transracial adoption, but transracial adoption shows that such perspectives are not true. Transracial adoption has the potential to educate people who may not even realize that stigmas exist. By breaking stereotypes, your transracial adoptee will see that his or her adoptive family does not stand for intolerance or bigotry, and will work to end divisive narratives. 

Creating a Family

The best part of transracial adoption is creating a family. To be able to provide a child with the opportunity to grow and be successful in a loving environment is truly a blessing. Having a child in your family is invaluable as is your adoption journey. Family is more than biology, it is unity. A family that is created with acceptance at its core ensures that a child is welcomed and will always be. Transracial adoption has the power to do just that in a family that puts respect, love and care first. 

Putting your child before yourself is at the center of successful adoption and attaining the benefits. Making that choice can shape the future of your child and your relationship with him or her. Support your child always. Respect his or her cultural identity always. Remember that you can learn a lot from your child as you first become a parent and all throughout the lifelong adoption journey. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to support you through your transracial adoption process and provide helpful information every step of the way. 

Sources:

Godon, Danielle E., and Patricia G. Ramsey. “Positive and Negative Aspects of

     Transracial Adoption: An Exploratory Study from Korean Transracial

     Adoptees’ Perspectives.” Mount Holyoke College. Accessed July 5, 2020.

   https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1104&context=rudd_conf . 

Harness, Susan Devan. “Adopting a child of a different race? Let’s talk.”

     Address presented at TedxMileHigh. YouTube. Last modified July 25, 2019.

     Accessed July 5, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uORk3TGSCl4 . 

Krueger, Angela. “Pros and Cons of Transracial Adoption.” Full Circle Adoptions.

     Last modified May 10, 2009. Accessed July 5, 2020.

     http://fullcircleadoptions.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Pros-and-Cons-of-Transracial-Adoption.pdf 

 

Adoptive Family Birth Mother Blog

Choosing an Adoptive Family for Your Baby

June 1, 2020 No Comments

A fulfilling part of the adoption process is choosing the adoptive family for your baby. Adoption Choices of Missouri only works with families who are licensed to adopt a baby in the United States. Our adopting families have all been pre-screened and are ready to provide a safe, stable, and loving home. No matter what you are looking for, we believe there is a family out there that is a perfect fit for you and your baby.

To decide which adoptive family is the best fit, consider these questions:

  • Are you open to a single parent, or do you prefer a two-parent household?
  • Are you open to a gay, lesbian, and/or transgender couple?
  • Do you prefer a family in a specific location?
  • What kind of family values and views on parenting are you looking for in a family?
  • Is the family’s religion or spiritual beliefs important to you?
  • Do you prefer a family that already has children or plans to have/adopt more?
  • Is it important to you that the family have a large extended family they are close with?
  • What hobbies and interests do you want the family to have?
  • Does it matter to you whether one or both parents work outside the home?

We can help with these decisions and help you find your adoptive family! Contact Adoption Choices of Missouri  for more information Serving Expectant Parents Statewide (in Missouri and Kansas) Expectant Parent Hotline (24/7): 1-877-903-4488

Adoptive Family Birth Mother

Signs You’ll Make a Great Mother

June 1, 2020 No Comments

Whether you’ve been thinking about starting a family for a while or have just begun to ponder the possibility, you may be asking yourself: do you have what it takes to be a great mother? To answer this, let’s explore what it means to be a mother. Some women know intuitively, but there are others who want to learn more about motherhood. For instance, those who are about  to become moms.

It is important to remember that no one is perfect, including mothers. It can be a challenge to set unrealistic expectations that you think need to be met to be a great mom.But keep in mind, you’re human, and all you can do is try your best. Don’t compare yourself to others and try not to feed into pressures about what a great mother “should” or “should not” be. You might be a lot more prepared to be a mother than you believe, and once on your motherhood journey, you’ll learn and grow with your child. The bottom line is: don’t let doubts stand in the way of becoming the best mom you want to be.

If you are Hoping to Adopt and you want more information, call us at 1-877-903-4488. In the meantime, here are some signs you’ll make a great mother:

You love and accept yourself. Before embarking on your motherhood journey, it’s important to know your worth and confidence. You accept and embrace your flaws that don’t define you but make you unique. You realize that even though life throws many ups and downs, you have an inner optimism that won’t waver. Loving and accepting yourself will help you love your child unconditionally and teach them to be confident. Practicing self-care is another essential part that benefits self-acceptance. Try not to put your well-being on the back burner, whether it be your body or mind. Setting the time to take care of yourself will help you nurture your child and be present in the joys of motherhood.

You are patient. You know how to listen and understand the importance of hearing what others have to say before jumping to conclusions or making decisions. Having self-control in your work and personal life demonstrates to yourself that you are self-aware. Self-awareness helps you not to become easily overwhelmed by small things, which is a part of motherhood. Children make mistakes and accidents happen. Everyone makes mistakes, and knowing how to handle them will positively shape you being a mother. Practicing measures of patience shows your strong level of responsibility and mindfulness. Instead of immediately wanting to take the route of reprimanding, you know how to take the time to assess situations calmly before explaining your perspective and the proper steps to take. Demonstrating patience in your life will help to instill that value in your child as they grow.

You are devoted. Being committed to your work, your relationships and your hobbies show that you do things to the fullest. As a dedicated individual, you also make realistic choices and goals that are feasible and not impossible to achieve. You know that becoming a mother will push you to practice this virtue of being devoted even more, where you’ll help your child grow and learn in a safe, loving environment. You also know that it is essential to balance such devotion between your child as a mother, yourself as a partner and yourself as a friend. It is healthy to maintain equal amounts of time in all your roles as a person and remember that you, too, are entitled to a reciprocated commitment from your partner, your family, and friends who care about you.

You know how to ask for help. Sometimes life can get hectic, and not everything goes as planned. Maybe your job promotion fell through, or your travel plans got canceled last minute. Regardless of the reason, it can be easy to get overwhelmed, especially about things that are out of your control. It is important not to overbook yourself and to remember that you’re not superhuman. Once on your motherhood journey, you know that there will be exhausting times, but that you can comfortably reach out to your partner, family and friends for an extra hand for little and big things. Communicating for help is an additional value that can be instilled in your child as they see their mother practice such an action.

You know how to place boundaries. Whether it’s in the workplace or at home, you take charge of your responsibilities. You’re able to say “yes” or “no” when dealing with matters without being indecisive. As you grow as a mother, you can use your skills from experience to set boundaries for your child, which will teach them to follow the rules and the values that your family exercises.

Signs You’ll Make a Great Mother

These are just some signs you’ll make a great mother. The list could go on. If you’re thinking about starting your motherhood journey, remember that every person is different, and it is okay if you don’t believe you have all of these personal characteristics mentioned. You likely have the traits to be a great mother! It is also okay to be a little anxious about becoming a mother, and that is natural. That shows that you’re seriously thinking about what it means to have and raise a child. Your life will change in surprising ways as a mother, and with a strong support network by your side, you’ll be able to face the challenges along the way and embrace the journey.

If you are Hoping to Adopt and you want more information, call us at 1-877-903-4488.

Birth Father Birth Mother Blog

What Expectant Parents Need to Know about the Adoption Process

June 1, 2020 No Comments

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption, the ins and outs of the adoption process can be overwhelming. As an expectant mother, you are likely filled with many questions as you begin to navigate your potential journey toward adoption. While the adoption process can be overwhelming, there are numerous adoption resources available for you. The circumstances surrounding adoption vary widely, so it is important to really consider whether adoption is the right choice for you and your family. Despite whether or not your pregnancy was planned, you are here researching adoption, and making an informed decision is to be commended.

Within the adoption process, the hard things can become easier with the right understanding and mindset. As an expectant mother, you hold the key to the adoption process. The adoption triad, as it is often called, refers to you the expectant parent, the adoptive parent(s), and the child. Within that triad is a great deal of emotional complexities. However, if you travel through your adoption journey with the lens of what is best for your child, you will remain successful in your decision-making process concerning your child. Adoption Choices of Missouri seek to organize the adoption process into a meaningful overview, which will hopefully help you. While not every detail of the adoption process will be discussed here, the overall points of the adoption process will be.

What Is Adoption?

Adoption is a “legal process in which parental rights to a child (whose biological parents’ parental rights have been severed) are bestowed on adopting parents, creating a parent–child relationship where one did not previously exist. The adopted child has all the same legal rights and responsibilities as a biological child, including rights of inheritance.”

While the term “relinquish” may seem harsh, it is important to understand that as an expectant parent, you are the centerpiece of the adoption triad, and nothing happens without your continual consent and initiation. In order to be able to decide if adoption is the right decision for you and the circumstances surrounding your pregnancy, you first have to truly understand what adoption means. To further your knowledge of adoption, let us also explain that it is a matching process. As the expectant parent, you will be given a say in which prospective adoptive parents you would like your child to be placed with. So, while the legal jargon will exist, you will have your personal touch on the parent-matching process.

What Do You Want in Adoptive Parents?

You will need to decide what type of family you want for your child. This will include everything from their occupations, their family structure, what they do in their spare time, and everything in between. Think of this as the “best-case scenario” for your child. Do you want your child to be in a culturally diverse family or part of a certain religion? Remember that there will be a matching of sorts taking place with the prospective adoptive parents, so you will need to be sure of what you are looking for in a family.

In adoption, the process of selecting an adoptive family for your child is often called the “matching process.” This process typically involves you reviewing several profile books of adoptive families that meet your predetermined criteria. For example, if you have expressed that you want a culturally diverse family, Adoption Choices of Missouri will only show you the profile books of the families that met that specific criterion. Meeting adoptive parents in person can be an option based on your request. While the matching process can be intimidating, and perhaps uncomfortable, the purpose is to serve as a time for you to get some insight into prospective adoptive parents. No family will be absolutely perfect, so you will need to keep “what is best for my child” at the forefront of your mind.

What Type of Adoption Do I Want?

As you learn more about the adoption process, you will find that there are different types of adoptions available to you. These include open, closed, and semi-open adoptions. Kinship adoptions also exist, but these are adoptions that occur within biological families. For example, an aunt and uncle legally adopt their biological niece. Open adoption means that the relationship between the biological family and adoptive family is open, which would likely mean in-person visits.

The types of adoptions can vary and change over time, but, in general, an open adoption involves both parties being as open as possible. Some examples of open adoption may include the biological family attending the birthday party of the child or maintaining social media contact including video chats and similar media outlets. A closed adoption means that there is no ongoing contact between either party. Lastly, a semi-open adoption means that there is contact between both parties periodically. This contact does not likely include in-person visits but instead may include letters and pictures throughout each year. You will be able to decide what level of openness, if any at all, you’d like in the adoption plan you create for your child.

Adoption Is Right for Me, Now What?

Now that you have decided that placing your child for adoption is right for you and your family, you will begin to work closely with Adoption Choices of Missouri . We will begin to guide you through each step. Some of these steps will include paperwork and other legal discussions that can potentially be overwhelming, but it is our goal to keep your well-being as our top priority. During this time, you will ideally be provided with services like preplacement counseling to begin to help you understand and process what placing a child for adoption will look and feel like.

During your adoption journey, it is critically important that you get all of the counseling that you need. Such services can continue and should continue after placement. Your adoption professional will partner closely with you through the initial stages and into the matching stage with an adoptive family, placement, and finalization. Each of these stages of the adoption process brings its own challenges. As the expectant parent, you need to continue to communicate openly and honestly.

Adoption: From Start to Finish

Hopefully, at this point, you have a general overview of the adoption process. While this article does not discuss the process in complete detail, it does provide a general understanding. As an expectant mother, you will quickly discover that within the your journey you will have to muster up every ounce of strength, courage, and selflessness that you can. No part of the process is easy. The emotional challenges are monumental. And unfortunately, the decisions that must be made in all of their difficulties hardly wait for your emotions to catch up.

The adoption process should not be portrayed as an easy thing because it is far from easy. This is not meant to scare you as an expectant parent, but it is meant to keep you knowledgeable of the process ahead. With all that being said, however, there are resources across our country that make the adoption process manageable and a blessing for all involved. As with anything else, there can be less than desirable aspects to adoption, especially when you partner with agencies or other entities that function in unethical ways or those entities that approach adoption as a business. Adoption is a sacred and tender process, and it should be treated as such, especially when it comes to you: the expectant woman.

As a reminder, as you begin the adoption process, remember what is most important to you in terms of your child. Search your heart in light of your circumstances. Then, seek trusted counsel as you strive to make the most informed decision as possible regarding your pregnancy. Make an intentional effort to remember that if you do choose adoption and you walk through the adoption process from beginning to end, that you will need post-placement care. It will be easy to have the mindset of, “It’s done, so now I can move on.” However, that outlook can potentially lead to emotional trauma for you down the road. To avoid that and to maintain an emotionally healthy life after placement, you will need to be disciplined in your post-placement care. You may find yourself having to advocate for yourself as you obtain counseling.

Regardless of whether or not you actually complete the adoption process, your wisdom in evaluating all of your options as an expectant parent is to be complimented. Your desire to do what is best for you and your family speaks volumes to the love you are already showing for your child. Parenting comes in many different forms, and adoption is just one of those forms. If adoption ends up being part of your story, please know there are strong and thriving adoption communities that will not only love you through it, but will also support you as an expectant parent.

Contact Adoption Choices of Missouri  for more information
Serving Expectant Parents Statewide (in Missouri and Kansas) Expectant Parent Hotline (24/7): 1-877-903-4488

Birth Mother Blog

Our Services for your Adoption Plan

June 1, 2020 No Comments

We are operating full service during this time and will not be shutting down operations. Please let us know how we can help.

Financial Support for Adoption

An unplanned pregnancy can be a strain on you both physically and financially. If you are considering adoption, as an expectant mother, Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri can assist you with financial support and proper nutrition, including Food Stamps, WIC, and ongoing grocery expenses.

We are a local child adoption agency that provides one on one support to each of our birth mothers. We have offices in Wichita and Kansas City and case workers located throughout the state ready to help you. We provide the highest level of birth mother support. Read more about out financial support.

Safe Housing for Adoption

Not having adequate housing or a safe place to sleep can lead to unnecessary stress and discomfort during your unplanned pregnancy.

Providing birth mother support, Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri can help you find and afford proper housing so you can rest easy.

Medical Care for Adoption

As an expectant mother, access to prenatal care should be one of your biggest concerns, especially with an unplanned pregnancy, and we are here to help.

Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri can help you apply for Medicaid and receive appropriate medical care throughout your pregnancy.

Support Counseling for Adoption

Putting your child up for adoption will not be an easy choice. We are here for you.

We are a local child adoption agency that cares. A compassionate birth parent counselor from Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri will be by your side to provide you with comfort and emotional support. Meet our team!

Our involvement doesn’t end there, we are with you through the birth and post-placement for all of your emotional needs.

Birth Mother Application for Adoption

If you are considering adoption and ready to work with a local birth parent counselor at Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri, contact us at 1-877-903-4488  for birth mother support.

1 … 36 37 38