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:

1. You want to give your child better opportunities in life
2. Do you have religious or moral beliefs concerning pregnancy
3. You want to give an adoptive family a chance to become parents
4. You want to feel in control of an emotionally trying and stressful situation
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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.