How Far Along Do I Need to Be to Choose Adoption?
By River Jean-Noel
Good news: adoption is an option no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy. Although it sounds unbelievable, it’s true. Adoption Choices of Missouri has plans to help you with any type of adoption, even one that you decide to do at the last minute. Whether you just found out you’re pregnant, you’re several months into your terms, or even after delivery, you can choose adoption.
Steps in the Adoption Process
The first step in the adoption process is intake with an agency. When you look into adoption in Missouri, find an adoption agency you’d like to work with. Once you’ve determined that, give the agency a call to schedule an initial meeting.
After you talk to an adoption counselor, you’ll be asked to fill out the necessary paperwork. At this point, you’ll have to bring proof of pregnancy. This is important. If you don’t have proof of pregnancy yet, it may be a bit too early to intake with the adoption agency. When you call them, ask more about what kind of proof they require.
You’ll then continue to work with the agency, which will help you find a doctor and will start producing adoptive family profiles. The birth mother has complete control over who she picks for her baby’s adoptive family. The agency has a plethora of families to choose from, so if you can’t find the right one from the first search, don’t worry. They’ll show you more options.
Types of Adoptions
We mentioned that Adoption Choices of Missouri can even help you with a last-minute adoption. We’re prepared to help create an adoption plan at any point in your pregnancy. You may be curious about what other types of adoption we offer.
Last-minute adoption is not really a type of adoption. Rather, it describes when the adoption process begins to take place. Usually, expectant mothers will call a few months into their pregnancy or shortly after they find out they’re pregnant. They already know they want to consider adoption as an option for their child. In some cases, a woman may not come to terms with that choice until she’s in the hospital about to give birth or even after. That’s when it’s named a “last-minute adoption.”
When we talk about types of adoption, there are three to choose from. You can choose an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or a closed adoption. Open adoption gives you the freedom and flexibility to communicate with and stay in touch with your child. Adoptive parents who accept an open adoption style agree to keep in contact with you by sharing photos and videos of the baby’s growth.
In a semi-open adoption, you place a little more boundaries on the interaction. If you just want casual updates every once in a while, that’s okay. With the semi-open option, you can get video and photo updates from the adoptive parents, and communication can be a little less.
Lastly, a closed adoption means you have no contact with the adoptive family. Whichever option you choose is acceptable and has to do with your mental and emotional health. Adoption Choices of Missouri is prepared to give you as much information on every option available so that you can make a fully informed decision.
Our Adoption Agency Offers Birth Mother Resources
Adoption agencies should offer support and assistance to birth mothers choosing adoption. It’s a difficult choice to make for some, and the stress of an unplanned pregnancy puts a toll on the mother. Not to mention having to worry about finances, doctor visits, and coordinating an adoption.
In Missouri, when you look up “adoption agencies near me,” there are a lot of options. Adoption Choices of Missouri is a full-service, licensed, and reputable agency in Missouri. We offer a lot of resources to help birth mothers. Some of those resources include:
- Financial help. This can include rent and utilities, groceries, phone bills, and more.
- Adoption counseling. Our adoption counselors are ready 24/7 to assist you with your adoption concerns.
- Medical care. Even your medical care and expenses will be taken care of so that your and your baby’s health is protected.
- Legal help. When the adoption case needs to be finalized in court, we make sure you have a lawyer to represent you.
Adoption Choices of Missouri Can Help No Matter Where You Are in Your Pregnancy
Adoption is always a loving and responsible choice. Sometimes, you may not know when you want to place your baby for adoption. No matter what point you’re in your pregnancy, Adoption Choices of Missouri is equipped to help.
Si, hablamos español. Nosotros podemos ayudar para la adopción de bebes.