Adoption after Unplanned Pregnancy: Top 10 Things to Consider when Choosing a Forever Family

Women with unplanned pregnancies may feel alone and think that their lives are out of control. You’ve taken the first step in a solution by exploring your options. Legacy Adoption Services works with many women in your shoes, and our empathetic licensed social workers want to help you make the best decision for the years ahead.

Right now, you’re in control of your life, even after unplanned pregnancy. If you choose to pursue adoption, you can be involved in choosing your child’s future family. Think about the following 10 questions if this is a path you are considering:

1. What are your adoption plans? Choose from an open adoption, with ongoing communication, or a closed adoption.
2. Does race or cultural background matter? You may want the baby placed with a family that looks like him or her.
3. Does the marital status of parents matter? Do you care whether the adoptive parents are married or single or just that they have love to give a child?
4. How will someone support or care for the child? What are the careers of the couple or individual that you are considering? Is it important that one parent plans to stay home with the baby while the other works?
5. Are there siblings or extended family? Will he or she be an only child or be part of a big family? Do you want to know about grandparents and others who will play a role in your child’s life?
6. Do you have common interests and life experiences? How do you picture daily life in the adoptive parents’ suburban, country or big-city home? Do you share any of the same interests or talents?
7. What are their educational experiences? Does it matter whether your child attends public or private school? Did the adoptive parents attend college?
8. What role will religion play? It is important to some birth mothers that their child is raised in a specific faith, with observations of religious holidays and traditions.
9. Do they have personalities that can adapt to parenthood? Do the prospective parents seem flexible or have a sense of humor? Are they people you can talk to?
10. Where do they live? If you have chosen an open adoption, do you want to be able to see your child on occasion, or are letters, pictures or calls OK? Legacy Adoption Services offers options to be as involved as you wish during this difficult process after unplanned pregnancy. Contact us or call us at (817) 899-5000 to talk with one of our licensed social workers and we’ll work with you to make plans for the future.