Placing your baby for adoption has life-long repercussions not only for you, but also for your baby, the baby’s father and your family members.
As a result, no matter how confident or secure you are with your decision now, it’s important to get as much counselling and support as you can to help you done the run.
A crisis pregnancy expert, adoption agency worker, or social worker can give you a good idea about what to expect in 5, 10, 20 and 30 years.
They can explain your alternatives and walk you through the process and explain the nuts and bolts in a non-partial, confidential, no-pressure manner.
They can also explain the pros and cons of placing him with an adoptive family versus raising him yourself or having him cared for by family members.
Among other things meeting with a counsellor will help you get a better understanding of:
- what is adoption
- the difference between open and closed adoption
- how the process works
- your rights and responsibilities
- the rights and responsibilities of your baby’s father
- the rights and responsibilities of the adoptive parents
- what a closed or open adoption could look like
- what to do at the hospital
- the type of relationship and contact you can have with your child and his adoptive parents after the adoption is approved
As part of the process, you’ll go through a series of face-to-face meetings. You’ll also be asked to provide information about your family, including your medical and social hisory. This information will be shared with the adoptive parents so that they have a better understanding of any potential medical conditions your child may have down the road. Having this information can help them make an informed decision. And it could also be beneficial to your child.
You’ll also be asked to provide information about the father of your baby. Birthfather rights are complicated. You may not know who the father is or may not be involved with him. It doesn’t matter. He still needs to be informed about your decision. But his actual rights and involvement in the process will vary, depending on where you live and the nature of your relationship.
A counsellor, and an independent legal expert, can explain this issue in more detail.
As an expectant mother considering adoption, you have the right to make an informed decision, without pressure or coercion. And all of your counselling is free of charge, whether you decide to go through with your plan or not.
