Introduction to Adoption for Pregnant Women in Florida

By Erin Jones​

For women who’ve become unexpectedly pregnant, the subject of adoption can be intimidating. With so much information about adoption out there, it can be difficult for a birth mother to determine whether or not adoption is the right fit for both her and her child, or if there’s another option out there that may be a better fit. Before diving deeper into the world of adoption, Adoption Choices of Florida has prepared a brief “adoption 101 blog” for the birth mothers out there who are still considering their options, who have committed to adoption and are just beginning their research, or simply need an introduction to adoption.

To begin, we’ll start by answering one of the most frequently asked questions by birth mothers — what exactly is adoption?

Introduction to Adoption for Birth Moms

What is Adoption?

Put simply, adoption is the journey in which a birth mother chooses to place her baby for adoption and selects her baby’s adoptive family. Birth mothers placing a baby for adoption can choose from three types of adoption — to be discussed further below — which means that each birth mother’s adoption experience will be unique. The adoption process certainly has its ups and downs, but most find the experience to be a life-changing, yet rewarding, one.

What does Adoption Offer?

As a birth mother, you have a lot of options within adoption. As aforementioned, there are three types of adoption — open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption. 

• Open adoption, which is one of the most common types of adoption today, allows for the most communication between a birth mother, her child, and the adoptive family. 
• Semi-open adoption is similar to open adoption in that it allows for communication between the adoption triad, however, the adoption agency usually meditates that communication. Communication in a semi-open adoption includes but is not limited to letters and photos, phone calls, text messages, and/or emails. 
• The last option is a closed adoption. Closed adoption allows for little-to-no communication between the adoption triad, usually because the birth mother and/or the adoption family wishes to remain anonymous. Closed adoption isn’t uncommon, however, both open and semi-open adoptions are the more preferred types of adoption today.
• To learn more about each type of adoption, please read Adoption Choices of Florida’s blog on the three types of adoption.

Most adoption agencies offer a variety of support resources to birth mothers including: financial services, prenatal and medical care, housing and transportation options, emotional support and therapy services, and so on. If you’re curious about whether or not an adoption agency has a specific resource, it doesn’t hurt to reach out and ask. In fact, it’s actually a great idea for you to explore your options and gather as much information as possible about the adoption process and your support options. You shouldn’t have to go through the adoption process alone, so it’s extremely important for you to make sure that the adoption agency you choose is going to be with you every step of the way.   

So, How do I Get Started with Adoption?

If you’ve become unexpectedly pregnant and are considering placing your baby for adoption, your first step is to do research about the adoption process and find an adoption agency that you feel is right for both you and your baby. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you’re gathering information about adoption and adoption agencies near you, so it’s important for you to give yourself a break every now and then, and know when it’s time to reach out to ask questions. Remember, adoption agencies, professionals, and social workers exist for a reason — to help you by answering your questions and addressing your concerns, and to support you.  

Reaching Out to Florida Adoption Agencies for Guidance

We’re hoping that our rendition of Adoption 101 has answered some of your most common adoption questions. However, if you’re feeling even more confused than before you started your research, don’t worry! It’s very common when gathering information on a new subject to leave with more questions than answers. Again, there’s a lot of information about adoption out there, which can make it extremely difficult to determine whether or not adoption is right for both you and your child. 

If you’re at a loss for what to do next, it may be time to reach out to an adoption agency for assistance. Locate the adoption agencies within your area and find some more introductions to adoption. Don’t hesitate to reach out! Remember, you don’t have to stick with the first adoption agency you call! Above all, it’s most important for you to choose an adoption agency that you feel is going to take into consideration the best interest of both you and 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