A Sensible
Choice
 1. How can adoption be a good choice for my baby
and me?
If you are not ready to be a parent, you
can still give your baby the gift of life and choose adoption. You can
plan your baby's future by selecting a stable, loving family to care for
your baby and be proud of your decision. At birth you can see your baby,
name your baby, love your baby. If you so choose, you can get updates on
your child's progress while you continue your education and career goals.
Finally, you avoid the trauma and heartache of abortion.
2. Can I
place my baby with a family of my choice?
YES!
With most agencies
you can choose a family friend, acquaintance, or someone who has been
recommended to you even in another state. Or you can choose from parents
screened by your adoption agency who have been waiting to become
parents.
3. How much
contact can I have with my baby after birth and after
adoption?
You may have as much
contact with your baby at the hospital as is comfortable for you. You can
choose an open adoption that allows ongoing visits, or
you can choose a less open adoption where your updates
come through your letter and pictures arranged through your agency.
Adoptive families respect your need to know your child is well cared
for.
4. How
soon after birth can my baby go to the parents I choose?
This depends on:
your choice of when
this should happen
the legal aspects of
the adoption
The cooperation of
the birth father
Many birth mothers
want their baby placed by the time they leave the hospital. Some prefer to
place their baby in interim care while they think through their adoption
decision.
5. How
much will my child know about me?
We
encourage you to pass on medical and social history to your child. You may
choose to share your identity and where you live with the adoptive family.
Or, if you have an open adoption, your child and adoptive
family can have ongoing access to you and what's happening in your
life.
6. Does
the father have any rights?
The birth father's rights are equal to yours. If you disagree on
adoption, or you no longer have a relationship with him, your agency will
work with the court to determine if his rights can be
terminated.
7. Will
my child have information about her/his birth father?
This depends on his cooperation with you and the
adoption agency. Some birth fathers give full social and medical history,
realizing how important it is for your child to have this. At other times,
only the information you give will be passed
on.
8. Can
my child find me if he/she wants to search someday?
At
the time of the adoption, you can choose to have an open
file to your child. If you do, he/she will have access to your
identity and your agency will assist in the search. If you choose a
closed adoption, your identity will remain
anonymous.
9. How
can I be sure my child will not be abused or neglected?
Adoptive families approved by an agency must meet
standards that will be shared with you. In an open
adoption you will see for yourself how well your child is valued and cared
for.
10. Do I
need an attorney or do I pay my agency to assist me with the
adoption?
You do not need an attorney and there are
no costs to you. Your adoption agency handles all legal details on your
behalf. Most important, your agency knows your decision was not an easy
one to make and will continue to be available to you if you so
choose.
For more information
on adoption you can contact
Bethany Christian
Services.
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