There’s a lot to expect when you’re expecting - especially when it involves an adoption! While hundreds of adoption websites, blogs and forums articulate the ins and outs, ups and downs of the adoption process, you never really know what to expect until you’re experiencing it in real time. LifeLong Adoptions wants to help each of its birthmothers by informed them as much as possible from the get-go. If you are pregnant and considering adoption, here are some things to expect during the journey.
Emotions:
We have seen it time and time again. One day a birthmother is 100% on board with the adoption process, and the next day she has decided to keep her baby. The teeter tottering can last for the entire pregnancy - but only the birthmother can ultimately decide what to do. With that said, be prepared to struggle with emotions throughout the adoption process. Being pregnant triggers some strong and erratic moods as it is - add adoption on top of that, and it’s no walk in the park. Placing a baby for adoption is one of the most difficult things any woman can do, and the staff at LifeLong Adoptions and the adoptive parents understand that.
Diverse Adoptive Parents:
We live in a time where the conventional standards of “normalcy” aren’t what they used to be. There are thousands of same sex and single people hoping for the miracle of adoption, and many adoption agencies across the country work with these types of individuals. While LifeLong Adoptions does cater to traditional heterosexual couples, we have a vast network of LGBT couples and individuals who we love to help find their little miracle. When deciding to place a child for adoption, it’s important to have an idea of what type of family you’d like to see your baby end up with. Are same sex or single parents an option?
Post Adoption Stress:
The after-effects of the adoption process is something all birthmothers need to be aware of. After the adoption is finalized, many birthmothers feel guilt, regret and remorse. If involved in a closed adoption, a birthmother might feel the urge to contact the family or the child. On the contrary, an open adoption situation might result in a birthmother overstepping her boundaries. If at any time a birthmother feels stress after the adoption has been finalized, there are plenty of great resources she can turn to, including the help of the warming staff at LifeLong Adoptions.
While there is no way to completely avoid these common post-adoption emotions, there are ways to help lessen them. Before your delivery date, make a mental list of some of the things you want to accomplish after the adoption. Do you need to finish school - or start school? Are you going back to work? Is there a new career you would like to pursue? Embarking on a new endeavor will help ease you back into everyday life, and take your mind off of the adoption.
If you have more questions about what to expect during your adoption process or seek additional information about infant adoption, our caring and knowledgeable staff is here to help. Feel free to contact us anytime. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
