I am Pregnant and Considering Adoption for my Baby, Where Can I Find Help in Missouri?

Where do I begin when considering adoption for my baby? 

It can be overwhelming for a birth mother when searching for information about adoption. Google will bring up various adoption agencies. The wonderful thing about Adoption Choices of Missouri is that we are local. As a birth mother, you can meet and spend time with your adoption specialist. You will probably not have this experience if you choose a national adoption agency. 

If you are Considering Adoption for my Baby and looking for information about adoption in Missouri, we are here to help.

Adoption Support Available

• Financial assistance with living expenses and other pregnancy needs
• 24/7 support and help throughout your pregnancy
• Select a loving family who can provide a stable and secure environment
• You will create a personalized adoption plan
• Get free medical assistance, check-up, and counseling
• Face-to-face services (or virtual). We can also meet you where you are
• Non-judgemental environment, compassionate to your situation
• Not religious affiliated or faith-based

What Does Giving a Child up for Adoption in Missouri look like?

Every adoption plan is unique. Here are a few tasks you can expect when planning to place your baby for adoption:

• Contact a Missouri adoption agency like Adoption Choices of Missouri
• Schedule your initial meeting
• Create your custom adoption plan
• Review and select the adoptive parents
• Make your hospital and birth plan
• Continue with the post-placement and any support you may need

It is important to note that the process may involve legal and emotional complexities, and therefore, seeking guidance from professionals is highly recommended for anyone considering adoption in Missouri.

How does the adoption agency a birth mother chooses affect the adoption process?

The adoption agency that a birth mother chooses certainly has a significant impact on the adoption process. A birth mother may want to consider agencies that thoroughly vet and screen potential adoptive parents to ensure they are truly capable of providing a loving and stable home for the child.

The reputation and track record of an agency also matters, as birth mothers may feel more reassured working with an agency known for its success in facilitating adoptions and supporting birth parents.

Furthermore, the support and counseling services offered by an agency can greatly influence a birth mother’s emotional well-being throughout the adoption journey. Ensuring that the chosen agency provides comprehensive support, guidance, and post-placement resources can make a significant difference in the birth mother’s overall experience and peace of mind.

Ultimately, the adoption agency a birth mother selects plays a crucial role in shaping the adoption process and should be carefully considered to ensure the best possible outcome for all involved parties.

Let’s examine at a few different options:

Local vs. National 

• Most importantly, a local adoption agency offers the ability to meet with your birth mother specialist in person and as often as you need
• A local adoption agency will have experience in Missouri adoptions

Private vs. Public

• Private adoptions are voluntary
• A private adoption agency allows the birth mother to choose the adoptive family
• With a public adoption, the state takes custody of the child and places the baby with a family

Licensed adoption agency

• Understands the requirements for an adoption in Missouri
• Knowledge of the benefits a birth mom is eligible for in her state of residence

Our adoption agency, Adoption Choices of Missouri, is local, private, and licensed!

I have an unplanned pregnancy. Can you help?

• YES! 
• We have helped numerous women who have chosen adoption. 
• Our agency walks with, on average, 100 women annually through their adoption journey. 

What are elements I should think about if I am pregnant considering adoption?

1. Type of Adoption – Secondly, you need to consider the level of openness you desire in your adoption plan. This involves deciding whether you prefer an open, semi-open, or closed adoption, as well as determining how much contact you would like to have with the adoptive family and your child in the future.

• Open Adoption – the birth mother will have a direct relationship with the adoptive family and child through in-person visits, phone calls, emails, etc.
• Semi-open Adoption – usually involves the exchange of letters, photos, etc. Generally, there is not a direct relationship between the birth mother and the child
• Closed Adoption – confidential; no information will be exchanged except the birth mother’s medical history; no relationship

2. Hospital/Birth Plan

• Where will you have the baby?
• Who will be in the delivery room and at the hospital?
• Time spent with your baby following the birth while at the hospital

3. Home Study

• All adoptive families at Adoption Choices of Missouri will undergo a Home Study 
• The adoption agency completes a thorough background check
• For more information, here is a Home study checklist

Additionally, exploring the options for selecting and evaluating potential adoptive parents is vital. Taking the time to thoroughly review profiles, conduct interviews, and participate in the decision-making process can provide you with peace of mind.

By thoroughly evaluating these elements, you can make well-informed decisions throughout your journey of considering adoption while pregnant.

Page content prepared by Jan Douglas