Birth Mothers: Navigating the Beginning Stages of the Florida Adoption Process

Written By: Erin Jones

For women going through an unplanned pregnancy and who have chosen adoption, nothing is scarier or more stressful than navigating the beginning stages of the adoption process. With so much information about adoption out there, it’s easy to become confused or overwhelmed very quickly. To relieve some of your fear and anxiety, Adoption Choices of Florida has created this blog to help you begin those nerve-wracking first few steps in the adoption process, so once you get farther along in your adoption journey, you’ll be prepared to take on whatever the process throws your way!   

Considering Adoption? Here Are Your First Three Steps!

Find an Adoption Center that Offers Resources for Birth Mothers

The first step for birth mothers considering adoption is to find an adoption center that offers special resources for birth mothers going through the Florida adoption process. Birth mothers who choose adoption shouldn’t have to worry about medical expenses, adoption-related costs, and so on, so when searching for the right adoption center, make sure it offers the following resources:

• General information about adoption and the adoption process
• Financial assistance
• Medical and prenatal care
• Safe housing and residency options
• Supportive and emotional counseling

Most adoption centers in the state of Florida offer the resources listed above to birth mothers experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption and some centers may offer more. If you’re unsure of which adoption center you want to work with or are torn between several different agencies, take all the time you need to do a little bit more research. It can be very stressful to choose an adoption center with so much else going on in your life, but remember, only you know what’s best for yourself and your child! Trust your gut, but don’t hesitate to reach out to adoption centers in your area for more information. 

Choose the Type of Adoption You Want and Create an Adoption Plan

Choosing which type of adoption you want and you feel is best for your child is also an important step in the beginning stages of the adoption process. There are three types of adoption to choose from — open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption — all of which have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Determining which type of adoption you want all depends upon how much communication you want with your child and their adoptive family once the adoption has been finalized. Open adoption allows for the most communication, semi-open adoption typically allows for some mediated communication, and closed adoption does not allow for any sort of communication. Today, open and semi-open adoptions are the most preferred types of adoption amongst birth and adoptive parents alike, however, closed adoptions are not uncommon. For more information on the three types of adoption, please visit our website’s blog on understanding the three types of adoption[1]  or feel free to reach out today!  

Determine What Qualities You’re Looking for in an Adoptive Family

Part of creating an adoption plan for your child is determining what qualities you’re looking for in an adoptive family. Not long after you choose which type of adoption you want and begin creating your child’s adoption plan, you’ll most likely be asked by your adoption center or team of adoption professionals to review potential adoptive families for your child. Before that happens, you might find it helpful to create a list of qualities you’re looking for in an adoptive family. Qualities on this list might include, but aren’t limited to the following:

• Careers of you child’s adoptive parents
• Sexuality of your child’s adoptive parents
• Race and/or ethnicity of your child’s adoptive parents
• Religious beliefs/views of your child’s adoptive family
•  Do you prefer your child to grow up in a one or two-parent household?
• Do you want your child to grow up with siblings and/or pets?
• Do you have a preference regarding where your child grows up?
• Any other qualities or preferences you may have regarding your child’s future adoptive family!

It’s important for you to note that you’re not required to have preferences regarding your child’s adoptive family! Some birth mothers do, but most only wish for their child to grow up in a happy home with a loving and supportive family. That said, if you do have specific preferences, be absolutely sure to include that in your adoption plan and to communicate those preferences with your adoption team, so they can help you find the right family for your child.

Ready to Begin Your Adoption Journey in Florida?

Committing to the adoption process is a major, life-altering decision, but if placing your child for adoption is in their best interest, hopefully you feel more confident doing so now that you’ve gotten a better understanding of the beginning stages of the adoption process. If you’re still feeling hesitant to commit to the adoption journey, it may be time to reach out to an adoption center near you for more information. Most adoption centers in Florida — including Adoption Choices of Florida — are more than willing to help you in any way possible because just like you, we  want what’s in the best interest of your child!    

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption, and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678