You Are in Control of Your Missouri Adoption Plan

You Are in Control of Your Adoption Plan When Choosing Adoption in Missouri

March 20, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

You Are in Control of Your Missouri Adoption Plan

 By Kelly Felix

No matter who you are or what your plan in life is, an unexpected pregnancy can derail some of the best-laid plans. Wherever you thought your path in life was going, that path has suddenly changed on you without any warning. Choosing adoption and making a Missouri adoption plan is a way for you to take back control of your unexpected pregnancy. By choosing adoption in the first place, you are taking control of the situation so that you and your baby can both have a better chance at life.

While there are many benefits of creating an adoption plan through our adoption agency in Missouri, the most important aspect of making an adoption plan is that it puts you, the birth mother, in control. You are the one choosing to place your baby for adoption, so you should be the one in the driver’s seat. That is why Adoption Choices of Missouri is here for you. We value our birth mothers and want to make sure that your voice is heard when making such major, life-changing decisions.

You Can Help Take Control of Your Unexpected Pregnancy by Making Your Own Adoption Plan

There are many different reasons why you may be considering choosing adoption. A lot of those reasons are usually something that makes you feel like you have little to no control over your life or your current situation.

Some reasons that may make you feel helpless or powerless over your situation could be if:

You are still in school and feel that you are too young to have a baby.
You are an adult who already has a family and cannot afford the money and time that raising another child would require.
You are considering adoption because you are in jail or homeless and simply do not have the means to take care of a baby.
You may be trying to get out of an abusive relationship that is not a safe environment for your baby.

Whatever the reason that you are choosing adoption is, the important thing to remember is that you are doing this for the benefit of both you and your baby. You are doing this so that each of you can have a better life. By choosing adoption, you are taking back control. Now you can really take charge of your own adoption by making your adoption plan.

The Top 4 Ways Birth Mothers in Missouri Are in Control of Their Adoption Plan

1. Choosing adoption is your decision to begin with

Remember, you should never feel like you are being pressured or forced into making such a huge and important decision. Adoption is all about consent, and choosing adoption should always be your decision in the first place.

2. You get to decide what type of adoption is the best fit for you

There are three main types of adoption: open, closed, or semi-open adoption. What type of adoption you choose determines what level of involvement you will have in your baby’s life moving forward. Although our adoption agency offers all three types of adoption, we strongly encourage open adoption because we believe that it is the adoption option that keeps everyone’s best interests at heart.

3. You can choose which adoptive family you want to place your baby for adoption with

You get to choose the adoptive family and decide which adoptive family criteria are important to you. Close your eyes and picture the adoptive family with whom you would like to place your baby. Do you see a single-parent adoption, or do you see a two-parent home? Do you picture any siblings? Would you consider LGBTQ+ adoptive parents or a transracial adoptive family? These are all different factors to consider when selecting an adoptive family, and you have the opportunity to decide which ones are important to you.

4. You get to make your own adoption hospital birth plan

There are so many things to consider when making your adoption hospital birth plan. Do you want to be able to hold your baby after you give birth? Are there any special comfort items or important things like any medications that you will need someone to bring to you in the hospital? Do you want the birth father or the adoptive family to be able to visit you in the delivery room? Please be aware that there may be some COVID-19 restrictions in place regarding visitors at the hospital.

What If You Do Not Want to Be Involved When Placing Your Baby Up for Adoption in Missouri?

You may be asking yourself a few questions like, why do I even need to make an adoption plan? Isn’t that the whole point of choosing an adoption agency so that I don’t have to do everything myself? What if I find these decisions too difficult to make and don’t want to be involved?

Although, yes, our adoption specialists are absolutely here and ready to help guide you through every step in making your adoption plan, there are some things you must decide for yourself. For example, you must decide what type of adoption you would like. You must decide how involved you want to be in your baby’s life, both during the adoption process and post-placement afterward. But we are here to handle the decisions you don’t want to and don’t have to make.

For other options like picking out the adoptive family, you can always choose not to choose. We understand that choosing adoption is not the easiest decision to make, and having to decide on things like which family to place your baby with can feel very emotional and overwhelming. That is why all of our adoptive families in our family portfolios must undergo a rigorous home study test: so that your baby will be placed into a safe and loving home, whether or not you handpick the adoptive family yourself.

If You Are a Pregnant Woman Considering Putting Your Baby Up for Adoption, Call Our Adoption Agency Today for Unexpected Pregnancy Help

No matter how in control of your Missouri adoption plan you do or don’t want to be, please do not hesitate to contact our adoption agency as soon as possible. Even if you are not yet sure that adoption is the right choice for you, our adoption specialists are ready and waiting to help you explore all of your options and find the right answers. Call us today so that we can get started working for you as soon as possible. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start helping you navigate your adoption journey.

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

Help Choosing Your Adoption Agency: The Adoption Process from the Adoption Specialist’s Perspective

August 9, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Help Choosing Your Adoption Agency: The Adoption Process from the Adoption Specialist’s Perspective

Are you a birth mother or pregnant woman who is facing an unexpected pregnancy and looking for the right adoption agency? Or maybe you have some idea of what kind of adoption agency you are looking for, like an adoption agency that handles private domestic infant adoptions. Still, you are unsure of the exact benefits of choosing a licensed Missouri adoption agency? Or have you already decided on an adoption agency that is right for you, but you’d like to know a bit more about the adoption process?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have come to the right place! Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help you and to answer any of your adoption questions. We understand how scary or overwhelming your adoption journey can sometimes feel. That is why we are here to help assuage your fears and uncertainties by letting you know some specifics about the adoption process from our perspective.

The Steps of the Adoption Process from Your Adoption Caseworker’s Point of View

Let’s take a look at adoption in Missouri from your adoption caseworker’s perspective! This way, you will get the chance to understand the entire adoption process from start to finish. You will even get a better understanding of all the extra work behind the scenes to ensure that your adoption runs as smoothly as possible for you.

Before you even call your adoption caseworker, they are already busy performing adoptive family home studies for you. That’s right, your adoption specialist is working hard for you before you even make the call! They are busy performing home studies of prospective adoptive families for our family portfolios. This is to ensure that your baby is placed in a suitable environment and make sure that your baby is placed in a safe and nurturing home that can give them both the love and the life they deserve.
The adoption specialist gets a call from a woman who says that she is unexpectedly pregnant and considering adoption. Everyone moves at different speeds. Some birth mothers call saying that they are ready and know they are choosing adoption, and some pregnant women call saying that they need help with their unexpected pregnancy. In either case, your adoption specialist is more than happy to help go over all of the unplanned pregnancy options available to you. Your adoption specialist wants to make sure that you are making the decision that is right for you.
After you choose adoption, your adoption caseworker will see what financial assistance is available to you. Your adoption caseworker will begin by asking you a few personal questions. It’s okay, and we are here to ensure that you get the help you need. Your adoption specialist will likely come visit you to perform a home study to verify if you qualify for some financial assistance for birth mothers. This will help determine if you are eligible to receive any financial aid for safe housing, rent, and utility assistance, medical care, and even help with transportation during your pregnancy. Your adoption caseworker’s top priority at all times is guaranteeing your safety and the safety of your baby during your pregnancy.
Now you and your adoption specialist can begin making your adoption plan. Once you and your adoption caseworker are satisfied with the level of care and financial support you’ll receive, you can begin making your adoption plan together! There are many benefits to making an adoption plan with our Missouri adoption agency. First, your adoption specialist will over the three types of adoption available to birth mothers and help you decide which one is right for you. After you decide between an open, closed, or semi-open adoption, you will tell your adoption specialist what adoptive family criteria are important to you. This will help your adoption caseworker narrow down which adoptive families to show you out of our adoptive family portfolios! Besides, you already know that your adoption specialist has performed home study tests to ensure that all of the adoptive families in our portfolios are pre-screened and pre-qualified to adopt. You and your adoption specialist will also go over your hospital birth plan to make arrangements for your delivery.
Your adoption caseworker gets to tell the adoptive family that they will be parents. This is the greatest news an adoptive family can hear, and we get to tell them! Your adoption specialist with speak with the adoptive family to deliver them the good news that they will be parents. If you would like to meet them beforehand, this is when your adoption caseworker will set up a meeting between you and the adoptive family. Please be mindful that there may be some visitation restrictions due to COVID-19.
Your due date is here! It is time for your adoption caseworker to enact your hospital birth plan! This is your big day! Your adoption specialist will set into motion the hospital birth plan that the two of you decided on while making your adoption plan. This means making any necessary travel arrangements to get to the hospital, getting your adoption consent paperwork ready to file in court, and notifying the adoptive family that the big day is here. By now, you and your adoption specialist already went over any important things you may need and whether or not you want the adoptive family present during your delivery. Please keep in mind that there may be some hospital visitation guidelines in place due to COVID-19 as well.
Your adoption specialist will help you navigate your post-placement journey. The big day is over, and your baby is safe at home with their adoptive family—now what? Just because your adoption process is over does not mean that your adoption caseworker is done caring about you! Your adoption specialist will make sure that you are doing OK and help guide you towards any extra help you may need. They can point you toward counseling and emotional support services for birth mothers to help you adjust to post-placement life. It is perfectly natural to experience some grief over the loss of parenthood, and we are here to help you through this difficult time.

Call Our Missouri Adoption Agency Today: Your Adoption Specialist Is Ready and Waiting to Hear from You

Don’t hesitate to call Adoption Choices of Missouri today! Your adoption specialist is ready and waiting to answer all of your adoption questions. Even though your adoption caseworker is already hard at work performing home study tests on your behalf, you still have to call them and let them know that you need help with your unexpected pregnancy. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can get to work helping 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 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Kelly Felix is a graduate from the University of New Orleans. She holds a BA in English as well as a BA in Sociology. Her English concentration is in journalism, and her specialties in sociology are gender studies and environmental sociology.

When she isn’t voraciously guzzling coffee or devouring books, Kelly can be found either bent over a canvas working on her art or at her computer playing video games. She has hands-on classroom teaching experience from her time working as a substitute teacher for Kelly Services. Kelly also completed an in-house editorial internship at Pelican Publishing Company, and she finished the goal internship program at Green Light New Orleans. Kelly generally exists in a state of suspended disbelief, but when she’s not there she resides in New Orleans.

Birth Mother Blog

Life After Adoption for Birth Mothers: Can I Still Have a Family After Putting My Baby Up for Adoption in Missouri?

August 2, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Life After Adoption for Birth Mothers: Can I Still Have a Family After Putting My Baby Up for Adoption in Missouri?

Starting a new family after previously choosing adoption is not a bad thing. It’s a good thing! This is your chance to provide your baby with the life that you couldn’t obtain before. Whatever reasons you had for placing your baby up for adoption the last time you were pregnant, you’ve overcome those obstacles and are prepared to take on this challenge. You should be proud that you are growing as a person and are ready to handle this new and exciting chapter in your life.

Adoption Choices of Missouri understands that you may be considering starting a family now, despite putting your baby up for adoption during a prior pregnancy. People are supposed to grow and change. Just because you weren’t ready to raise a baby before doesn’t mean that you can’t be ready now. Your previous situation in life should never stop you from growing or moving forward. If everyone based their lives around their past decisions, we would never make any progress. There are many reasons why you may have placed your baby for adoption but are ready to start your own family now.

The Top 5 Reasons Pregnant Women Want to Raise a Baby Now but Chose Adoption Before:

You chose adoption because you were a pregnant teenager or still in school when you got pregnant. Teenage pregnancy is the most common adoption scenario that people picture. If you chose adoption because you were too young to have a baby or were still in school before, then it’s OK if you’re ready to raise a child now that you’re a bit older. Even if you are pursuing higher education, it is much easier to manage your time and create a flexible class schedule around a babysitter or daycare hours when you are in college versus when you were in high school. Now that you are older, wiser, and more along in advancing your career, you should absolutely start a family if you feel that you are ready.
You considered adoption before because you didn’t have all the resources needed to raise a baby. Babies require a lot of both your money and your time. Adoption was the right choice for you because you were not financially able to provide for your baby or because you did not have the time to devote to raising a baby. The financial assistance for birth mothers that comes with adoption probably helped you a lot back then too. You chose adoption because it was what you had to do in order to provide your baby with the best opportunities in life. Whether you were short on money, time, or both, now you feel as though you have enough of those resources readily available to raise a baby.
You needed unplanned pregnancy help because you were in an unsafe relationship or living situation. When you are in an unhealthy relationship or an unsafe living situation, the last thing you want to do is expose a baby to those conditions. The health and safety of your baby took the highest priority, and that is so brave and commendable. Even if you were able to take advantage of the safe housing for birth mothers that our adoption agency provides, you still felt that you needed to remove yourself from that situation before you could raise a healthy and happy baby. Now that you have gotten yourself out of that toxic environment, you are ready to move on with your life and start a family. You worked hard to provide a secure environment, and you feel as though you are ready to raise a baby now that you’ve achieved it.
Many pregnant women choose adoption because they don’t have good support systems in place. There’s a reason that people like to say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s important to have good support systems in place when raising a baby, and maybe you didn’t have them before. These support systems can be anyone you trust, whether you have a close family member, a dear friend, or a reliable neighbor who doesn’t mind watching your baby when your shift at work runs late. But support systems aren’t just all about having a babysitter handy; it’s important that you have another adult you can talk to and confide in when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Thanks to birth mother blogs and discussion forums, you now have access to a whole world of stories from birth mothers who may be going through the same things you are experiencing.
You chose adoption because you just didn’t want to raise a baby at the time. This is one of the most overlooked reasons for considering adoption in Missouri, but it is still as perfectly acceptable as any other. Maybe your last pregnancy was a surprise, and this one is more planned. Or perhaps both pregnancies were unexpected, but now you simply feel that you are ready for motherhood and want to take on this role. You chose adoption because you just didn’t want to raise a baby and weren’t looking to start a family at the time, but now you feel like motherhood is a path in life that may suit you.

Are You Worried About Whether Your Adopted Child Will Find Out They Have a Sibling?

Just because you are ready to start a new family does not mean that you forgot about your old one. If you choose open adoption as your type of adoption when making your adoption plan, your kids might be able to meet each other as siblings. It depends on if that is something you would like to arrange or speak to your adopted child about. Talk it over with the adoptive parents first to see if they feel OK with letting your adopted child know they have a sibling. The adoptive family might feel more comfortable if they have the opportunity to be the ones to break the big news first.

As always, please remember to be realistic and manage your expectations when it comes to in-person visits. If your adopted child or the adoptive family doesn’t feel comfortable with the idea of them meeting your new baby, it’s best to give them some space and let them decide when they are ready. The big news may come as a bit of a shock at first, but ultimately everyone will be better off knowing the truth. It is important that you explain to your adopted child that this does not mean you love them any less or that you love the new baby any more than them. Be patient and make sure to answer any questions they may have. This will help them overcome any initial distress they may be experiencing.

If You Need Help Exploring Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options, Call Our Missouri Adoption Agency Today

If you are pregnant and are considering adoption, don’t hesitate to call Adoption Choices of Missouri today. Whether or not this is your first rodeo, our adoption specialists are ready and waiting to help answer all of your questions. Your adoption caseworker will help guide you every step of the way on your adoption journey, so call us today. The longer you wait to call our adoption agency, the longer before we can get to work helping you navigate your adoption process.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Birth Mother Blog

Unplanned Pregnancy Help for Birth Mothers: Will I Regret Placing My Baby Up for Adoption?

July 19, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Unplanned Pregnancy Help for Birth Mothers: Will I Regret Placing My Baby Up for Adoption?

The best, most honest answer I can give you is: maybe. The hard truth is, there are always going to be things we regret in life. But sometimes those regrets are the things we didn’t do just as much as they can be the things we did do. You might ask yourself Will I regret placing my baby up for adoption? Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which path will be filled with less regret for you. That is why you must understand all of your unplanned pregnancy and adoption options before you make a final decision. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help ensure that you are making the most informed decision possible.

The Top 5 Ways Adoption Agencies Can Help Birth Mothers Reduce Regret When Choosing Adoption:

Although we cannot guarantee that you will have no regrets about choosing adoption, we can do our best to help mitigate those feelings. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help birth mothers navigate these difficult feelings during your adoption journey.

Adoption agencies can offer different types of adoption as an open adoption. These days, adoption agencies offer different types of adoption, like open, closed, or semi-open adoption. Open adoption allows for the birth mother and adoptive family to swap information and maintain contact. This means that you will get to know the person your baby grows up to be because you will have the opportunity to speak with them on the phone and even have in-person visits. The guidelines for these arrangements should be made before the adoption is completed when you are making your Missouri adoption plan. Be sure to speak with your adoption specialist for more information about what type of adoption best suits your needs.
By providing legal representation to help protect your birth mother’s rights. Choosing adoption is all about consent, and the laws around withdrawing your consent are called revocation laws. Although we provide ample opportunity for birth mothers to change their minds about adoption so that these laws should not need to be used in the first place, they are there as a final resort. Please be aware that these laws are only in place up until the court has finalized the withdrawal of parental consent, at which point they become irrevocable. Our adoption agency does provide legal representation to help protect birth mother rights in Missouri.
Choose a full-service, licensed adoption agency that offers post-placement counseling for birth mothers. We understand that adjusting to post-placement life after placing your baby for adoption can be hard, and that is why we provide mental health and emotional support counseling for birth mothers. We realize that you may need some extra help past the delivery room, and that is why we like to go above and beyond by providing counseling for birth mothers even after the Missouri adoption process is completed.
Your adoption agency can help direct you towards birth mother blogs and forums. Our adoption agency provides a plethora of first-hand accounts from birth mothers, birth mother blogs, and other birth mother online resources to help you make sure this is the right decision for you. Other birth mothers have been through this before, and you are not alone. You can use their stories and what they’ve learned to help guide you as you make your own decisions.
Remember, you are placing your baby for adoption, not “giving up” your baby. Adoption is the chance for you to give your baby the best opportunities in life. Don’t think of adoption as a selfish act; rather, think of adoption as a selfless act of love on your part for the benefit of your baby. You are not “giving up” your baby for adoption; after all, “giving up” has such a negative connotation. Instead, think of it as enduring through this hardship so that your baby can have the best chance at life. All of our adoptive families in our portfolios are pre-screened and pre-qualified, so your baby is going to a safe and loving home. No matter which adoptive family you pick, choosing to place your baby for adoption will help give him or her a head start in life.

If You Are Pregnant and Need Help Placing Your Baby for Adoption Call Our Missouri Adoption Agency Today

If you are pregnant and need help placing your baby for adoption, don’t hesitate to call our Missouri adoption agency today. The longer you wait to call us, the longer before we can get to work helping you. Our adoption specialists are ready and waiting to help provide you with the adoption information you need to get your adoption journey started as soon as possible.

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

Birth Mother Blog

You Are in Control of Your Adoption Plan When Choosing Adoption in Missouri

July 14, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

You Are in Control of Your Missouri Adoption Plan When Choosing Adoption

You Can Help Take Control of Your Unexpected Pregnancy by Making Your Own Adoption Plan

Some reasons that may make you feel helpless or powerless over your situation could be if:

You are still in school and feel that you are too young to have a baby.
You are an adult who already has a family and cannot afford the money and time that raising another child would require.
You are considering adoption because you are in jail or homeless and simply do not have the means to take care of a baby.
You may be trying to get out of an abusive relationship that is not a safe environment for your baby.

The Top 4 Ways Birth Mothers in Missouri Are in Control of Their Adoption Plan

Choosing adoption is your decision to begin with. Remember, you should never feel like you are being pressured or forced into making such a huge and important decision. Adoption is all about consent, and choosing adoption should always be your decision in the first place.
You get to decide what type of adoption is the best fit for you. There are three main types of adoption: open, closed, or semi-open adoption. What type of adoption you choose determines what level of involvement you will have in your baby’s life moving forward. Although our adoption agency offers all three types of adoption, we strongly encourage open adoption because we believe that it is the adoption option that keeps everyone’s best interests at heart.
You can choose which adoptive family you want to place your baby for adoption with. You get to choose the adoptive family and decide which adoptive family criteria are important to you. Close your eyes and picture the adoptive family with whom you would like to place your baby. Do you see a single-parent adoption, or do you see a two-parent home? Do you picture any siblings? Would you consider LGBTQ+ adoptive parents or a transracial adoptive family? These are all different factors to consider when selecting an adoptive family, and you have the opportunity to decide which ones are important to you.
You get to make your own adoption hospital birth plan. There are so many things to consider when making your adoption hospital birth plan. Do you want to be able to hold your baby after you give birth? Are there any special comfort items or important things like any medications that you will need someone to bring to you in the hospital? Do you want the birth father or the adoptive family to be able to visit you in the delivery room? Please be aware that there may be some COVID-19 restrictions in place regarding visitors at the hospital.

What If You Do Not Want to Be Involved When Placing Your Baby Up for Adoption in Missouri?

If You Are a Pregnant Woman Considering Putting Your Baby Up for Adoption, Call Our Adoption Agency Today for Unexpected Pregnancy 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 1-816-527-9800

Birth Mother Blog

Choosing Adoption Agencies for Birth Mothers: How a Licensed Adoption Agency is Regulated in Missouri

July 7, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Choosing Adoption Agencies for Birth Mothers: How a Licensed Adoption Agency is Regulated in Missouri

Placing your baby for adoption can be a very difficult and complicated journey for birth mothers, but choosing your adoption agency shouldn’t be. There are a few different kinds of licensed adoption agencies available to you, each with its own set of laws and government regulations. Out of those, only a few adoption agencies for birth mothers will actually be the right fit for you by providing you with all of the essential resources you need to be safe, healthy, and happy. Not every adoption agency will have everything you are looking for as a birth mother placing your baby for adoption. That is why we are here to help you understand what you are looking for in a licensed adoption agency in order to narrow down your search. Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help fulfill all of your full-service, licensed adoption agency needs.

The 3 Main Different Types of Adoption Agencies Available When Placing Your Baby for Adoption in Missouri

It is absolutely vital that adoption agencies protect and guarantee the safety of birth mothers, children, and adoptive families. That is why adoption agencies must be licensed and reviewed by the government in order to continue to operate successfully. Adoption agencies absolutely must be able to maintain certain standards of practices.

Each one of these types of adoption agencies comes with its own set of government rules and regulations. While all three of these adoption agencies are wonderful options, you will find that some are better suited to meet your specific needs than others.

When choosing the adoption process in Missouri, there are three main types of adoption agencies available:

Private domestic adoptions, which can be done through either a local or national adoption agency. Also known as domestic infant adoptions, they are simply when the birth mother willingly chooses to place her baby up for adoption through an adoption agency.
Foster care, which is typically a form of government-sanctioned care. Foster care is usually reserved for special cases in which the state government decides it must intervene for the health and safety of the baby.
International adoption, which is when a baby is placed for adoption in another country than they were born in. International adoptions must obey the laws of both the federal government and the adoption laws of whatever other country may be involved as well.

The Main Requirements for Licensed Private Domestic Adoption Agencies for Birth Mothers

If you have chosen a domestic infant adoption, you must decide if a local or national adoption agency is right for you. Either way, you can rest assured knowing that both local and national adoption agencies must be reviewed and approved by the government on a periodical basis.

Although there are some basic federal laws regarding adoption, adoption laws vary greatly by state. Even national adoption agencies must adhere to the state laws of the particular state or states in which the adoption is taking place. Just like local adoption agencies, national adoption agencies must be reviewed in each state they practice in and must be held to the laws and standards of each individual state.

The main thing to know about Missouri adoption law is that it requires adoption agencies to perform home study tests of prospective parents. A home study test means that the adoptive family is monitored and evaluated at home in their natural surroundings to determine whether or not they can provide a suitable stable environment. Even though you will get to select the adoptive family of your choice, you should be selecting a family that is pre-screened and pre-qualified. This helps to protect everyone involved by ensuring that your baby is being placed for adoption into a safe and loving home, no matter who you choose.

How to Maximize Your Benefits as a Birth Mother Through a Full-Service Adoption Agency

It’s not just enough to make sure your adoption agency is monitored and reviewed by the government. You will want to make sure that your adoption agency has your best interests as a birth mother at heart. You can do so by making sure that you choose a full-service adoption agency, like Adoption Choices of Missouri. A full-service adoption agency means that your adoption agency will provide all of the services and resources available to help further ensure the safety and comfort of both you and your baby.

Remember, placing your baby for adoption should never be at any cost to you. In Missouri, the adoptive parents can help to pay for the birth mother’s living expenses. While that is a great start, we believe in going above and beyond for our birth mothers by providing access to a multitude of adoption resources. These adoption resources can look like financial assistance, medical aid, mental health counseling, and even legal representation. After all, it is only natural that you would want an adoption agency that will protect your legal rights as a birth mother.

Contact Us Today for Unplanned Pregnancy Help with Choosing Licensed Adoption Agencies in Missouri

Do you want to know more about what it means to choose a licensed adoption agency in Missouri? Or maybe you are more interested in finding out what resources adoption agencies in Missouri can offer birth mothers? Whatever questions you may need to be answered, don’t wait to call our adoption agency today. Our adoption specialists are ready and waiting to assist you with all of your adoption needs. Call us now so that we can get to work helping you with your adoption journey as soon as possible.

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: Kelly Felix is a graduate of the University of New Orleans. She holds a BA in English as well as a BA in Sociology. Her English concentration is in journalism, and her specialties in sociology are gender studies and environmental sociology.

Birth Mother Blog

The Basics Every Birth Mother Should Know When Choosing Adoption Through a Missouri Adoption Agency

June 28, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

The Basics Every Birth Mother Should Know When Choosing Adoption Through a Missouri Adoption Agency

Are you a pregnant woman or birth mother trying to find out more information about adoption, but suddenly you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of information? Or the articles you do find are all geared towards prospective adoptive families, with you feeling left out in the cold? With so much material about adoption floating around out there, navigating your adoption options can feel a bit overwhelming sometimes. But we are here to throw you a lifeline and tell you that it’s all going to be OK! Adoption Choices of Missouri is here for you with around-the-clock care and support for any of your adoption needs or questions about our Missouri adoption agency.

What You Should Know When Putting Your Baby Up for Adoption in Missouri

The most important rule to remember when it comes to adoption is that you, the birth mother, are the one in control. After all, adoption is all about consent. You should never feel like you are being pressured into making such an important decision, and you reserve the right to change your mind about adoption at any point in the process. You are the one choosing to place your baby for adoption, which means you get to call the shots. But what exactly does that entail? And how does that work when using an adoption agency?

You get to make the adoption plan and choose what type of adoption is right for you. As the birth mother, you get to make your own adoption plan. This means that you get to decide what level of involvement you would like after the adoption is completed. Depending on what type of adoption you pick, you can have an open, semi-open, or closed adoption. In an open adoption, you and the adoptive family leave identifying information so that you can maintain contact through phone calls and in-person visits. This allows you to stay in touch and get to know your child as he or she grows up throughout the years. Your adoption caseworker will be able to go more in-depth over the details of making an adoption plan and laying out visitation guidelines.

Birth mothers get to select the adoptive family. A major part of making your adoption plan is selecting the adoptive family. Some factors to consider are whether you’re open to different backgrounds, like transracial, LGBTQ+, or single-parent adoptive families. Although there are many adoptive family criteria to consider, you should know that every family in our adoptive family portfolios has been pre-screened and pre-qualified. We perform rigorous home studies to ensure that your baby is going to a safe and loving home that will give them the best opportunities in life, no matter which adoptive family you choose.

There are many financial, medical, and legal resources available for birth mothers. Remember, adoption should never be at any cost to you, the birth mother. In fact, you should actually be receiving some of the financial assistance available to birth mothers. Some of the services we provide access to are safe housing, rent and utility assistance, transportation, medical aid, and legal representation. Your adoption caseworker will work hard to make sure that you receive any and all of these resources that are available to you.

You are never alone on your adoption journey. Even though you are making this loving and selfless decision so that your baby may have the best prospects in life, it is only natural that you will experience some grief over the loss of parenthood. We understand that it is not always easy to adjust to post-placement life overnight. Not only are there plenty of birth mother blogs and discussion groups available to you, but we also offer mental health and emotional support services for birth mothers. These counseling services even extend beyond to after the adoption process is completed.

Please make sure that you pick an adoption agency that is both full-service and licensed. It is crucial that you choose an adoption agency that is both a full-service and licensed agency. In order to receive all the extra 24/7 care and support, as well as access to all of those important resources mentioned before, you need an adoption agency that will work tirelessly to make sure that you have all the financial, medical, legal, and emotional support services that are available to you. Additionally, going through a licensed adoption agency will ensure that the adoptive family you are placing your baby matches our high-quality standards by performing home studies.

Call Us Today If You Are Pregnant and Considering Adoption Through a Missouri Adoption Agency

Whether you are a birth mother who has already chosen adoption or a pregnant woman who needs help exploring your unplanned pregnancy options, our Missouri adoption agency is here to help you every step of the way. Our adoption specialists will gladly answer any questions you may have as they help guide you on your adoption journey. Call Adoption Choices of Missouri today so that we can get to work helping you as soon as possible.

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

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How to Choose LGBTQ+ Adoptive Parents when Putting Your Baby Up for Adoption in Missouri

June 23, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

How to Choose LGBTQ+ Adoptive Parents when Putting Your Baby Up for Adoption in Missouri

There are many different factors to consider when picking your baby’s adoptive family. Are you open to the idea of a same-sex couple or LGBTQ+ individual adopting your child? Are you already aware of the benefits of choosing an LGBTQ+ adoptive family, or are you here because you want to learn more and explore every adoption option?

Then Adoption Choices of Missouri might be the right adoption agency for you. We welcome all walks of life and actively encourage nondiscriminatory practices. We encourage birth mothers to open your heart and select the adoptive family that best suits your needs, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.

5 Major Criteria for Birth Mothers to Consider when Choosing LGBTQ+ Adoptive Parents

There are also many other criteria to consider when choosing LGBTQ+ adoptive parents. Picture the adoptive family you would like to place your baby with. Think about which aspects of an adoptive family are important to you and which are unimportant. Let’s explore some of the prominent features of an adoptive family that you may not have considered yet.

Think of any other adoptive family criteria that may be important to you. Is it important to you that the adoptive parents look similar to your baby, or are you open to a transracial adoption? Would you like it if your baby has siblings, perhaps an older brother or sister? Is it important to you that certain values or religious beliefs are passed on to your baby? What about geographic location? Living very far away from each other could make open adoption visits a little difficult. These are all different aspects to consider when selecting your baby’s adoptive family.
Would you prefer a single LGBTQ+ individual or a same-sex couple as your baby’s adoptive family? Are you open to the idea of a single parent raising your child, or does a two-parent home make you feel more comfortable? There are actually three types of LGBTQ+ couples who adopt children: same-sex couples, a single LGBTQ+ person, or a second-parent adoption in which one partner is adopting the other partner’s child.
Decide what type of adoption you would like for your adoptive family. When making your adoption plan, you get to choose between an open, closed, and semi-open adoption. You get to choose what type of adoption you would like and your level of involvement in your baby’s life post-placement. If you decide to choose an open adoption, you can even maintain contact via phone calls and in-person visits. We strongly encourage open adoption because we believe it is the type of adoption that is the most beneficial to everyone. Make sure that you go over the details of what level of involvement you would like with your adoption caseworker so that you and the adoptive family can reach an agreement beforehand.
Check into any financial assistance available for birth mothers from the adoptive family. Remember, placing your baby for adoption is never at any cost to you. Depending on the outcome of any home studies or evaluations, some financial assistance for adoption may be available to you. Sometimes this assistance can come in the form of government programs as well as direct contributions from the adoptive family. Our adoption agency also provides access to other services like medical aid, transportation, legal representation, and emotional support counseling. Check with your assigned adoption specialist to go over what programs are open to you and to see what levels of financial assistance you may qualify for.
Full-service, licensed adoption agencies like us provide pre-screened and pre-qualified adoptive family portfolios. Our adoption agency is a full-service, licensed adoption agency. This means that we perform in-depth at-home studies when selecting candidates for adoptive parents. This means that all of the families in our adoptive family portfolios have undergone a rigorous and thorough investigation to ensure that they fit our quality of standards. We do this to ensure that your baby is going to a safe and loving home that can provide the best opportunities in life for them, no matter which adoptive family you select from our portfolios.

Call Our Adoption Agency Today for Unplanned Pregnancy Help when Considering an LGBTQ+ Adoptive Family in Missouri

Please do not wait or hesitate to call Adoption Choices of Missouri today. Our adoption specialists are ready and waiting to answer any of your adoption questions and to begin helping you make your adoption plan. The longer you wait to contact us, the longer until we can begin going over your unplanned pregnancy options with you. Please get in touch with our adoption agency as soon as possible so that we can get to work helping 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 1-816-527-9800

Birth Mother Blog

Everything a Birth Mother Needs to Know About Choosing LGBTQ+ Adoptive Parents in Missouri

June 14, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Everything a Birth Mother Needs to Know About Choosing LGBTQ+ Adoptive Parents in Missouri

Are you a birth mother open to the idea of placing your baby with an LGBTQ+ adoptive family? Or maybe it was an option you had not considered, but you are fine with it as long as your baby is placed in a safe and loving home? Well, look no further! You have come to the right place. Adoption Choices of Missouri encourages diversity and welcomes people from all walks of life. Our adoption specialists are here to help you every step of the way through your adoption journey. This means that we will gladly answer all of your questions about what it means to choose LGBTQ+ adoptive parents.

Top 5 Reasons Why Birth Mothers in Missouri Should Consider Placing Your Baby with a Same-sex Adoptive Family

When considering adoption, keep in mind that you, as the birth mother, have the opportunity to pick out the adoptive family you would like to place your child with. Do you need help figuring out how to choose an adoptive family in Missouri? Think carefully, and consider which adoption family criteria are important to you.

Are you open to a single-parent adoptive home, or do you prefer a two-parent home? What if those two parents were a same-sex couple? Or what if they were a different race than your child in a transracial adoption? Do any of those things bother you, or do you just want to make sure that your baby will be well-cared for? While you consider all of these different factors, let’s explore some of the many benefits of having same-sex couples or LGBTQ+ individuals as adoptive parents.

The law is on your side; there are currently no adoption laws prohibiting same-sex couples or individuals from adopting in Missouri. In the eyes of the law in the great state of Missouri, the adoption process for same-sex couples or individuals is just about the same as it is for heterosexual parents. There are still basic criteria that must be met, like undergoing an at-home evaluation, but for the most part, the adoption process is just as easy as it would be for straight adoptive parents. There is no reason to worry about the law preventing or hindering your adoption process with LGBTQ+ adoptive parents.
LGBTQ+ adoptive families are opening their homes and hearts to adoption by choosing to be parents. Sadly, many same-sex couples want children but get overlooked for adoption because of who they love. They have so much love in their hearts that they feel moved to open their homes to provide a child with a better chance in life than they had. Many same-sex couples find themselves with two incomes but no children to provide for or dote on. LGBTQ+ people can be some of the most devoted parents because they have so much love in their hearts that they are choosing to open their homes and be parents.
Your baby will be placed for adoption into a loving and nurturing home, no matter what adoptive family criteria you decide on. We understand the importance of placing your child with an adoptive family you can trust. That is why we perform home studies in which we observe prospective adoptive families. We would never place your baby in a home that was not well-suited for them. We are a full-service, licensed adoption agency, so all of our adoptive families in our family portfolios are pre-screened and pre-qualified. Your baby deserves a home that is safe and nurturing. That is why we are determined to ensure that they are given a home that provides them with the love and opportunities they deserve in life.
Same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ adoptive parents will instill positive values like being inclusive of others, having pride and self-respect, and celebrating diversity. When you are an LGBTQ+ person, you have to really know who you are and have a good sense of self-worth. There are so many people out in the world trying to tell you who you should love or how you should be. You have to be able to hold your head high and proudly say, “This is who I am.” You don’t just learn to love who you want outside of who society tells you to love. You learn to love yourself most of all. You learn to be more tolerant and accepting of others thanks to the people who did not tolerate or accept you. These wonderful values of inclusivity, self-respect, and acceptance will be passed on and taught to your child.
LGBTQ+ adoptive parents are more progressive and receptive to smashing stereotypes and breaking the mold of the nuclear family. Have you ever heard the old adage, it takes a village to raise a child? It’s true! Let’s face it: the traditional nuclear family is a relic of the past. It’s time to make your family what you want it to be: a group of people who love and respect each other and who want what’s best for your child. Thanks to different types of adoption, like open and semi-open adoptions, you can stay involved in your child’s life and know the person that he or she grows up to be. It is up to you and the adoptive family to agree on your level of involvement beforehand when making your adoption plan, but it is possible that you can be one big, happy family. Just please be realistic and manage your expectations. Personal schedules don’t always allow for in-person visits as frequently as everyone would like. But having same-sex couple parents will help your child to navigate the new modern family that is the way of the future.

Call Our Missouri Adoption Agency Today to Learn More FAQs About Same-sex Adoptive Parents

Don’t hesitate to call Adoption Choices of Missouri today! Our adoption specialists are ready and waiting to help you with any questions you may have. Whether you want to know more about the benefits of same-sex couple adoptions or have questions about choosing an adoptive family in general, we are here to help you find the answers. Your adoption caseworker will be able to provide more basic information as well as answer any specific questions you may have. The longer you wait to contact us, the longer before we can get to work helping 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 1-816-527-9800

Birth Father Birth Mother Blog

Birth Father Roles and Responsibilities in Missouri When Considering Adoption

June 7, 2021 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Birth Father Roles and Responsibilities in Missouri When Considering Adoption

Choosing adoption can be a tough decision, especially if you don’t feel like it’s really your choice. Sometimes birth fathers can feel like they aren’t in control or like they don’t have a say in the matter, almost as if they are just along for the ride. However, this simply is not the case and cannot be further from the truth. That is why it is time to finally include birth fathers as part of the conversation surrounding adoption.

Some men tend to think that choosing adoption means they are cowardly or that they failed to provide for their family. The reality is that choosing adoption is a difficult decision for the sake of the baby, and it takes a very strong and brave parent to face this decision and follow through with it. Choosing adoption means putting your own insecurities aside so that your baby can have a chance at the best opportunities in life. What better way to provide for your child than by giving them a head start in life?

We understand what a tough and challenging position being a birth father can be. That is why Adoption Choices of Missouri is here for birth fathers as well as birth mothers. We even go the extra mile to provide a wide range of resources for both parties.

The Top 6 Roles and Responsibilities for a Missouri Birth Father

Simply put, a birth father is the biological father of a child being placed for adoption. It is very important to understand and protect birth father rights. We believe that it is important to recognize that each adopted child has two biological parents, even in cases where the birth father’s identity may remain unknown. Below is a list of just a few of the many roles and responsibilities that birth fathers in Missouri may find themselves coming across.

The birth father can play an important role in the birth mother’s support network. As a birth father, the best decision you can make is the decision to support the birth mother in this endeavor. One of the most difficult aspects of being a birth father is knowing when to follow. Birth fathers should please understand that, while the birth mother’s decisions are the final say, she may have some very difficult calls to make throughout her pregnancy. She will need you to be supportive of her and her decisions. The flip coin of that is keeping the birth father informed since he is a part of your support network. It is important to keep the birth father up-to-date on any major developments, especially any medical emergencies.
It is the birth father’s responsibility to provide a full medical history. It is vital to the health and safety of the baby to get the birth father’s full medical history. It is extremely important that the birth father fill out and leave a completed medical history form. Without this medical history form, doctors will not be able to determine whether or not your baby is predisposed or at risk for certain hereditary ailments, like diabetes. Even if the birth father decides not to commit to participating in the adoption process, it is imperative that you still leave a copy of his medical history that is as detailed and conclusive as possible.
Birth fathers can be involved with decisions regarding the adoption plan. The level of involvement you would like is up for you and the birth father to decide on together, but if you both decide that you would like for him to be involved, then having him help make an adoption plan is a great way to start. This can look like helping decide which adoptive family criteria is important, helping to pick out the adoptive family, or helping to decide which type of adoption best suits your needs. We provide a list of pre-approved, pre-screened, and pre-qualified adoptive families in our adoptive family portfolios, so your baby will be going to a safe and loving home no matter who you choose.
If you chose an open or semi-open adoption, birth fathers can write an introductory letter explaining who they are and why you both chose adoption. Based on what type of adoption you chose when making your adoption plan, you may want the birth father to write an introductory letter explaining who he is and why you both chose adoption. These letters can be super helpful to adopted children who might have some questions that their adoptive parents simply won’t have all the answers to. This is your chance to answer those questions and to fill in those gaps.
Birth fathers can help make a hospital plan and be a birthing partner in the delivery room. It is crucial that you and the birth father go over a hospital birthing plan together. Will he be bringing a bag of extra clothes and any toiletries you may need? Does he want to be there during labor and delivery? Did you both want some alone time with the baby after you give birth? These are only a few of the many questions to consider when making your hospital birth plan. Your adoption specialist will help you go over the details to make a birth plan that is as informed as possible. Please keep in mind that hospitals may or may not still have COVID-19 restrictions in place regarding delivery room visitation.
Birth fathers are responsible for seeking counseling and dealing with any problematic feelings regarding adoption that may arise. The adoption journey can be an emotionally volatile voyage for anyone, birth mothers and birth fathers alike. Just because he is your rock does not mean that he is not silently suffering either. That is why we offer mental health and emotional support counseling for birth mothers and birth fathers. We offer these services throughout the entire adoption process and after, while you are both adjusting to life during post-placement.

Our Missouri Adoption Agency Can Start Helping You with Your Unplanned Pregnancy

Unplanned pregnancies can seem scary and overwhelming, but that is exactly why Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to help you. We are a full-service, licensed adoption agency that offers a variety of resources. These resources can take the form of financial assistance, medical aid, legal representation, and emotional support counseling. We will ensure that you receive any sort of assistance for which you may qualify. Our adoption caseworkers are on standby, ready and waiting to get to work helping you as soon as possible. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work helping 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 1-816-527-9800

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