An expectant mother might place a baby for adoption for several reasons

The reasons why an expectant mother decides to place a baby for adoption are often misunderstood. Many people assume it is because she is too young to parent. Although this is a common scenario, there are dozens of other reasons why a woman might place a baby for adoption. Legacy believes it is important to understand what the reality of an unplanned pregnancy means for the women we serve.

Four reasons why an expectant mother might place a baby for adoption

It’s not just because she is too young to parent. The following are some reasons why a woman might place a baby for adoption.

1. She is not financially prepared to become a mother. The average cost of raising one child in the U.S. is $14,000 annually. Millions of Americans are living near the poverty threshold. This means an individual income of $12,500 or $15,500 for a couple. For many single women, couples living together or those who are already parents, it is financially impossible to feed and care for a baby in their current circumstances.
2. Her living situation is up in the air. She may be in a tumultuous relationship with her child’s father, have a strained relationship with her parents, be living in an abusive situation or be in the middle of a major life transition. She may decide that her life’s circumstances are not a peaceful place for a baby right now.
3. She does not feel ready to become a mother right now – or again. Some women already have one or more children, and do not feel they can provide for another. Their time and resources may already be exhausted. They may have become unexpectedly pregnant later in life and either feel their family is already complete, or do not have the resources for a new baby. A woman may decide to place a baby for adoption because she has a different focus for her life right now, such as a growing career or finishing her schooling. She may know that her child will flourish in a home solely dedicated to the addition of a new baby.
4. She is struggling with an addiction or is in recovery. It is estimated that 3.5 million women in the United States misuse prescription drugs, and 3.1 million regularly use illicit drugs. An expectant mother may need to place her child for adoption because she has not yet overcome her addiction. At Legacy, the well-being of the women we serve is our priority. We do all that we can to support the recoveries of our expectant mothers suffering from substance abuse.

Contact us at (817) 784-7641 if you would like to learn more about the reasons why an expectant mother might decide to place a baby for adoption.