The Two Major Benefits of a Semi-Open Adoption

As you already know, there are three main types of adoption for you to choose from: open, semi-open and closed adoptions. Open adoptions typically involve the highest level of communication and updates in the adoption triad, whereas closed adoptions may not have any communication and not much information in the adoption process is known. 

As a birth mother considering adoption, you may feel that neither of these types of adoption will work out best for you. You are honestly looking for something in the middle. The good news is that the middle option exists! Semi-open adoptions have plenty of great traits about them, and today we would like to share two major benefits of a semi-open adoption with you. 

Benefit #1: You May not Feel as much Pressure 

Consider this scenario: a birth mother who is expecting enters her pregnancy with her heart set on placing her baby for adoption. However, she only sees that adoptions are either open or closed, rather than being informed of an “in-between” adoption type. She alerts her family of her options, and her family tells her to go one way or another. None of the birth mother’s family members suggest a semi-open adoption to her, which puts extra pressure on her. But, then the birth mother reached out to Adoption Choices of Missouri , who said: 

“You do not have to choose between an open or a closed adoption. There is another type of adoption that exists that has traits in between the two, which may be a perfect fit for you! This is called a semi-open adoption. We would love to tell you more about it!”

Now that this birth mother has been informed, she knows that she has a third type of adoption to consider. She decided to look into a semi-open adoption and was able to allow her adoption process to go at her pace. 

Now, for you, you may be wondering: What exactly does a semi-open adoption entail? What makes a semi-open adoption the perfect balance? We will have to take a look! 

Benefit #2: Semi-Open Adoptions Allow For a Perfect Level of Communication!

What thoughts were going through your head with this scenario? Did you personally know that a semi-open adoption is not only a wonderful type of adoption to choose, but it could also be perfect for you with regards to communications? It’s true! 

As we discussed in our scenario, birth mothers feel a lot of pressure with thinking that their adoption can either be open or closed. For an open adoption, a birth mother could feel the need to have extremely frequent check-ins. Sure, she wants to check in on her baby, but she does not want to have to feel like she has to every single day. An open adoption could also mean that you may need to continuously need to make an effort to maintain good communication with your baby’s adoptive family.  With a closed adoption, though, the birth mother may feel like she may never be able to connect with her baby, forcing her to constantly have to worry about him or her. 

With a semi-open adoption, communications are typically somewhere in the middle. You may desire to check in with your baby a few times a year, just to see how things are going. You also may want to have a ZOOM call with your baby and his or her adoptive family. Lots of birth mothers consider semi-open adoptions, because the level of communication that they desire is perfect for them. Communication is steadily maintained, and can be as frequent or as infrequent as you want. Maybe you just want to communicate on holidays or for special events and occasions. Semi-open adoptions are perfect if you are looking for that perfect level of communication with your baby’s adoptive family. At the same time, however, you are not looking for something so frequent that you develop FOMO (the fear of missing out). 

Is a Semi-Open Adoption Truly Beneficial?

Absolutely! As we discussed, two major benefits of a semi-open adoption are that birth mothers may not feel as much pressure, and that the level of communication maintained within the adoption triad could be the perfect fit for you! Even though there are countless examples of other benefits in regards to a semi-open adoption, like the number of possible visitations, the level of communication is really what may convince a birth mother to select a semi-open adoption over an open or closed adoption. 

Birth mothers do not want to feel stuck and a semi-open adoption may truly be the best fit for them, given possible personal preferences. To learn more about the amazing benefits of a semi-open adoption, feel free to contact your caseworker at Adoption Choices of Missouri  directly below. We wish you the best of luck with your adoption. We hope that you will take the time to look into semi-open adoptions and their countless number of benefits.  

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: Jason Legasse is a rising senior English major studying at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. He hails from the Albany, New York area, but has plans to relocate to sunny Venice, Florida with his mom come Fall. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Jason plans to study General Special Education at Meredith College, where he will earn a Master’s degree and use that to teach middle school Special Education.

Jason is a self-proclaimed introvert with Asperger’s who really enjoys writing. He has a huge passion for helping others, specifically those with disabilities. He is very excited to be working with Adoption Choices over the summer, and looks forward to learning more about the adoption process!