Pregnant and Considering Adoption
If you are pregnant and the pregnancy is unplanned, you may have a lot of questions about next steps and the options to consider. Adoption is one of them and at Hope’s Promise we work with families to help them understand how adoption works.
- Do your research: Gather information from the internet, books or trusted family members. Meet with a trained counselor to help you understand your options and the long-term implications, or talk with a licensed adoption agency.
- Explore all options: It is important that you take time to explore all your options, and determine the best options for you and your child. If possible, involve trusted family members and the baby’s father in the decision-making process. There are laws related to the father’s role and responsibilities in adoption and they differ from state to state. To learn more about the laws in your state click here.
- Selecting adoptive parents: If you decide adoption is right for you, you will have a choice in selecting the parents for your child. It is important for you to determine what type of family and home you would prefer for your child. You will be given an opportunity to look through profiles, letters, pictures and/or videos to select potential parents. You will even have an opportunity to meet the family before making your final decision. After the adoption: The type of adoption relationship you have chosen (open, semi-open or closed) will determine how much, if any, contact or interaction you will have with the adoptive family. Both families work out in advance if there will be contact, how often, who will be involved, and how the families will go about changing the arrangements if determined in the future.
- Moving forward: During and after an unplanned pregnancy, you may feel anxious, stressed, sad, a sense of grief or loss, or many other emotions. It is important for you to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Counseling through all parts of the pregnancy and adoption process with a neutral, trained professional may help you cope with the range of emotions you are going through.
We know that an unplanned pregnancy and the decisions and emotions involved with this may be overwhelming. We’re here to support you. Feel free to contact us by phone (303) 660-0277 or complete our pregnancy counseling contact form on our website.