My Child was Conceived Through Rape: Will the Adoptive Family Tell Them?

By Wendy Swisher

Experiencing sexual assault and finding out it resulted in pregnancy is overwhelming. Because of everything you have gone through, you are not happy about being pregnant. Keeping the baby is not an option for you, but neither is terminating the pregnancy. The baby is a constant reminder of everything you have endured. You feel loss and despair when you think about the pregnancy. Those are valid feelings, and you should not feel bad for them. They are understandable after everything you have been through.

Keep in mind that Adoption in Missouri makes you brave because you are doing what you need to do to heal. A question you may have is whether the adoptive family will tell the baby they were conceived through sexual assault. You can ask them not to disclose it to the child, but ultimately It is up to you whether you divulge how your baby was conceived to the adoptive family. Even if the adoptive parents are aware of the origin of their conception, they most likely will not burden the child with this information because they do not want the information to affect the child in a negative manner.

As the birth mother, you are wondering how to give a baby up for adoption. You can start by looking up Adoption agencies in Missouri. Find one where birthmothers are treated with respect and dignity, like Adoption Choices of Missouri.

Adoption after Sexual assault

If you’re pregnant and considering adoption, the first step in the adoption process is to call us today, and we will connect you with one of our birth parent counselors. At the first initial meeting, the birth parent counselor will go through all of the paperwork with you and help you get any services you may need, whether that help is mental or physical health. For example, finding a prenatal doctor to make sure you and your baby are healthy. Also, if you are finding that working through your emotions is too difficult after the sexual assault, one of the services we can offer is counseling. A counselor can help you understand what you are feeling and how to cope with it in a healthy way.

Counseling will be available to you not only during the pregnancy but after as well. Your birth parent counselor is there to help you have a positive adoption journey by guiding you through the adoption process step each step of the way. Another resource offered if eligible is financial support. What this means is there may be help to cover your bills and basic needs, like groceries, rent, utilities, phone, and gas.

Choosing the Right Adoption Plan

After you have figured out the services, you need an adoption plan can be formed. The great thing about adoption is you get to make choices every step of the way. Important choices like the type of adoption you want; closed, open, or semi-open. The type of adoption you choose depends on the level of contact you want to have with the adoptive family. With open adoption, you get to receive updates from the adoptive family, and sometimes visits can be arranged. Again this is all decided between you and the adoptive parents.

Semi-open is where your updates and any contact go through the adoption agency. The third type is close. Sometimes this is easiest on the birth parents. Closed adoptions are where the birth parents and adoptive parents have no contact or exchange no important contact information. The next step is to pick the adoptive family. Your birth parent counselor will provide you with potential adoptive families. Also, during this time, a birth plan will be formed for the hospital when you give birth. The birth parent counselor assigned to you will be there with you to help advocate for your needs when you can’t.

How Adoption Choices of Missouri can Help You

Since the unplanned pregnancy was a result of a sexual assault, you can list the father as unknown. Since the birth father is unknown, most adoptions can proceed without his consent. This varies state by state. An adoption attorney can let you know for sure what steps need to be taken for your situation. Our agency can help connect you with an adoption attorney. We are here for you to ensure the safety and well-being of you and your baby.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption, then call us today. 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