The Importance of an Adoption Plan
As a birth mother choosing adoption, you have probably realized that there are a lot of big decisions you have to make. One of these decisions is to create an adoption plan. Additionally, you may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to choose the correct placement for your child.
Please know that we here at Adoption Choices of Arizona are here for you during this process. We will provide you with all the resources and guidance you need to find the best plan for your situation, and explain why an adoption plan is so important to your adoption journey. You and your baby are our top priority.
The Importance and Aspects of an Adoption Plan
To begin, let’s briefly discuss adoption itself. A common term associated with adoption is “give up.” However, you are not giving up when you are choosing adoption, you are placing your child in someone else’s care. An adoption plan allows you to control that placement. You are the only one who truly knows what is best for your baby.
An adoption plan is important for multiple reasons, it covers multiple aspects of your child’s future. Here are some aspects it covers:
- You get to Choose Your Child’s Adoptive Family
You have the ability to choose your child’s adoptive family. You can choose the couple who will raise them. Adoptive parents put together a scrapbook for you, covering details about their life.
These scrapbooks — or adoptive parent profile books — give you a glimpse into their personalities, jobs, hobbies, pets, other children and so much more. You can choose whoever you want. You have a say as to whether your child will grow up with an introverted family or an extraverted family, and whether he or she will grow up in the great outdoors or surrounded by the arts.
- You get to Choose the amount of Involvement
You can decide how much you want to be involved in your child’s life. Involvement levels vary from situation to situation. Do you want an open or closed adoption? Do you want to attend special events in person, or just receive updates in the mail? You can even choose to have no contact at all. The choice is yours and we will not judge your decision.
If you aren’t ready to be in contact now, that can be written into your plan as well. You can choose a time for information to be given to your child and your family. There is no right or wrong. Only what is best for you.
This also applies to the adoptive family’s involvement in your pregnancy. You can choose whether they attend prenatal appointments with you, visit you during the course of your pregnancy, and how they are updated during the progression of your pregnancy.
- You get to Choose Your Birth Plan
It is important to remember that, as a birth mother choosing adoption, you still have the right to be in control of your birth plan. While your birth plan covers traditional aspects of birth like a medicated or non-medicated birth, it also has additional factors as a result of adoption.
You can choose whether you’d like your child’s adoptive parents to be present at the time of birth and in the delivery room, or if you’d prefer they wait in the lobby until afterwards. If you invite them into the delivery room, you can decide who gets to cut the umbilical cord — your child’s adoptive parents or the nurses. You can also choose whether you would like them to hold your baby first, or if you want to. It’s all up to you and in your control.
- Other Great Benefits
From start to finish, your adoption journey and how it plays out is up to you. Having a plan, even a tentative one, is also extremely helpful if you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol or drugs. This will keep Child Protective Services (CPS) from becoming involved and choosing where your baby goes for you.
That said, even if you are not struggling with an addiction, having a set plan is still helpful. It will acquaint you with the adoption process and begin emotionally preparing you for the adoption to be finalized. Having a plan in place will also make the pregnancy and labor process easier on all parties involved due to the fact that everyone will have an idea of what to accept as the adoption process progresses.
Choosing the Right Adoption Plan
As you choose the right adoption plan for you and your baby, remember that you have rights. You are 100% in control, and no one can force you to do what you don’t want to do. Adoption plans are not one size fits all, every plan is different.
For adoption resources or to begin your adoption journey, birth parents can visit us at Adoption Choices of Arizona or call or text us at 1-480-900-5520. If you are an prospective adoptive family hoping to adopt a baby, please instead, visit us here!
Meet the Author: Grace Myers is a sophomore Digital Media major at North Greenville University As a firm believer that every individual has a story to tell, and a right to be properly represented, she loves meeting new people and learning their stories.
When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to music or cuddling with her dog, Sundae.
