Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Adoption

How do I know if adoption is the right choice for me?

Making the decision to place a baby for adoption is one of the most important choices you will ever make, and an incredibly selfless act. A birthmother who decides to place her baby for adoption is not only choosing to give life to her child, but is choosing to give her child important things that she may not be able to provide herself - such as a two-parent family, or financial and emotional security. She may also feel as though she is simply not mature enough or in a stage in her life where she can provide a secure home for her child.

The wonderful thing about adoption is that everybody wins. The birthmother can feel peaceful about her decision knowing that her baby is going to be loved and well-cared for, while the adoptive parents' dream of being parents and having a family comes true.

An important thing to know is that you, the birthmother, will be the one to choose the family who will raise your child. You can meet the family and have an opportunity to get to know them personally.

How do I go about choosing the adoptive family for my unborn child?

To begin the process, we will introduce you to an adoption agency. They will discuss with you the characteristics you are looking for in adoptive parents. Once they have a good idea of this, they will provide you with letters and photos of families whom they think would be an appropriate match for you.

After this "match" has been made, there are many arrangements to make such as whether you will need financial help throughout the remainder of your pregnancy, where you will deliver your baby, and what kind of contact you would like to have with the adoptive family after the baby's birth. The adoption agency will help with all of these arrangements.

Can the adoptive family help me with my living expenses?

Yes. Most likely, the adoptive parents can assist you by paying your reasonable living expenses such as rent, utilities, transportation, maternity clothes, medical costs, etc. if you cannot pay these things yourself.

May I choose an adoptive family that lives in a state other than my own?

Yes. Adoption agencies work with families from all over the country.

Can I relocate for the birth of my child?

Yes. Sometimes a birthmother feels that she needs to get away from her current living situation, wants to be able to spend more time with the adoptive family she has chosen, or just wants a fresh start. For these reasons and others, it is sometimes best for a birthmother to relocate to a different state before the birth of her child.