How to Celebrate Adoption Month in Missouri

Adoption is a daunting and important decision for many birth mothers and may not come easy for some. It is a step that should be celebrated for the courage, selflessness, and planning required to undertake it. Birth mothers who consider or go through adopting out their baby are not giving up on their child. But instead providing them with the additional resources needed to have a better shot at life. That’s something worth celebrating!

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, you can be confident in Adoption Choices of Missouri to assist you. We are a responsive and trusting agency to work with that puts birth mothers first.

What is Adoption?

Adoption is the process of placing your baby with an adoptive family. The birth mother will sign off all parental rights to their child and can decide upon the level of openness that she will retain with the child and the adoptive family throughout the adoption.

You are not giving up your baby for adoption. Deciding to adopt out your baby is not something to be ashamed of. Adoption Choices of Missouri helps the birth mother with various resources, so you can be confident in the well-being of you and your child.

How Adoption Works

Birth mothers start by making an adoption plan, which would cover all the resources you may need to help you put your baby up for adoption. This may include medical care, financial compensation, counseling, and/or safe housing.

The birth mother would then choose between open, closed, and semi-open adoption types for her baby. The adoption type describes the amount of interaction the birth mother will have with the baby and their adoptive family once placed in a home. Open adoption refers to adoption that allows the birth mother and adoptive family to stay in contact throughout pregnancy, birth, and post-placement. In comparison, closed adoptions have the adoptive family and birth mother never meet or share personal information. Semi-open adoptions fall somewhere in between the two, with a minimal exchange of personal information.

During the matching process, the birth mother will choose the adoptive family she wishes to place her baby. Profiles of potential adoptive families will be provided for you to choose from. Additional resources may be provided, and, depending on the level of openness you decide on for your baby, you may also meet with the adoptive family.

Why is Adoption and Adoption Awareness Important?

Let’s think of it in a more roundabout way. If you are seeking pregnant adoption help because you can’t take care of your baby, then you’ll probably understand why it’s so important that birth mothers and birth parents know that there is another option out there for their child! Adoption reintroduces control of the birth mother’s life and gives her the peace of mind that she is doing what is best for her child. Adoption also provides adoptive families the opportunity to experience parenthood.

Adoption awareness also helps debunk several myths surrounding adoption. Plus, when adoption is discussed more within the community, more pregnant women will be aware that it is an option.

Ways to Celebrate National Adoption Month:

Donate to adoption agencies near you – even the smallest amount can assist local agencies in helping birth mothers put their babies up for adoption
Educate yourself about adoption – there are many misconceptions and myths that have become widespread about adoption and the adoption process. You can do your part to help debunk these myths by educating yourself and others
Spread awareness in your communities – adoption, while it is more widespread now, is still not a topic that is widely talked about within most communities. You may feel the urge to spread awareness about Adoption in Missouri.
Participate in local adoption month events – See if there are any local events taking place that you can participate in or contribute to
Reach out to adoptive families to learn their stories – adoption looks and feels different for every birth mother, child, and adoptive family out there. Reaching out to birth parents and adoptive families may shed some light on the ways adoption can be a positive and transformative experience

Adoption Choices of Missouri Support and Assistance

Adoption is a valid option for birth mothers experiencing an unwanted pregnancy. It is an option that should have more widespread positive awareness. National Adoption month is a wonderful time for birth mothers and adoptive parents.

If you are a birth mother or birth parent considering placing their child up for adoption, do not hesitate to call Adoption Choices of Missouri toll-free at 877-903-4488. We provide guidance, especially regarding questions or concerns about the adoption process. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, and we treat birth mothers with respect and dignity. 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

Types of Adoption in Missouri

November 17, 2022 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Types of Adoption in Missouri

By Staren Henry

Navigating the adoption process can be a scary and overwhelming process for expectant mothers going through an unplanned pregnancy. There’s a lot of information out there, and it can feel impossible to make sense of and ensure that you are taking the right steps to put your baby up for adoption. We will guide you on what you need to know about options, support, and resources available with adoption agencies near you.

Choosing Adoption – Deciding to Place Your Baby

It is important to understand that placing your child for adoption is not ‘giving up’ your baby for adoption. If you feel like you can’t take care of your baby for whatever reason, considering adoption as an accessible and achievable process. Putting your baby up for adoption may be the right option for you if:

You want to give your child better opportunities in life
Do you have religious or moral beliefs concerning pregnancy
You want to give an adoptive family a chance to become parents
You want to feel in control of an emotionally trying and stressful situation
You are worried about monetary costs (adoption is completely free)

As well as many possible unlisted reasons to consider putting your baby up for adoption.

How Adoption Works – Open, Closed, and Semi-Closed

When you contact Adoption Choices of Missouri, we will begin the adoption process by helping you make an adoption plan. This plan will cover all the resources you may need to help you adopt out your baby. We may offer medical care, financial compensation, counseling, and/or safe housing.

Did you know that the type of adoption is not set by the adoptive family? Despite common misconceptions, the birth mother sets the type of adoption she wishes to place her baby in. The adoption type describes the amount of interaction the birth mother will have with the baby and their adoptive family once placed in a home. These types of adoption in Missouri are:

Open Adoption – allows the birth mother and adoptive family to stay in contact throughout pregnancy, birth, and post-placement. Personal information such as names, contact info, and phone numbers is shared. Fully open adoption also includes the option of in-person visits.
Closed Adoption – In comparison to open adoption, closed adoption ensures that the adoptive family and the birth mother never meet and know anything other than the medical history
Semi-Open Adoption – somewhere between an open and closed adoption, less personal information is shared between the birth mother and the adoptive family. This may include the exchange of things such as letters or emails and can be done through a third party.

Deciding how open you want your baby’s adoption to be is a crucial part of the adoption process. It can also heavily impact the child’s life, so it is important to be sure that you are making the decision you want to make. Nobody will judge you for your choice, and you may regret it if you let others ultimately influence your decision. Additionally, If your baby is already born, you can still put them up for adoption if, at any point, parenting does not feel like an option. Adoption Choices of Missouri comes to meet you.

Choosing an Adoptive Family

Once you are clear on the type of adoption you want for your baby, it is time to start the matching process. You can base your matching on additional factors such as the ethnic or religious background. When receiving counseling, you will be provided with profiles of adoptive families to choose from. Remember that no one will try to influence or coerce your decision in any way and that you remain in complete control during this part of the process. Once you have matched with an adoptive family, Adoption Choices of Missouri may provide you with additional resources. You may also meet with the adoptive family depending on the level of openness you want for your baby’s adoption.

Choosing Between the Types of Adoption in Missouri

With the help of our adoption agency, adoption can become a manageable and fulfilling process for the birth mother, child, and adoptive family. It is important that birth mothers know that the adoption process does not become final until they sign the legal documents terminating your parental rights. You will have ample time to make informed decisions.

If you are still feeling confused or overwhelmed, do not panic. Know that you may speak directly with an adoption counselor anytime. These calls are completely confidential and may offer you more support and comfort in navigating the adoption process.

If you are a woman considering adoption and seeking information on how to create a birth plan, 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.