When you think about adoption, you may picture scenes from old movies where a baby is placed on a doorstep. However, this is far from what adoption looks like today.

With modern adoption, you get to decide the kind of future you want for your child, and you can decide if you want to remain in contact with the child and adoptive family.

If you’re considering adoption for your pregnancy, it’s important to learn all you can to ensure that you’re fully informed. While we don’t provide adoption services, we can refer you to a reputable adoption agency in the area.

An adoption agency will pair you with an adoption coordinator who will explain the process and give you the space to explore what adoption might look like for you.

Adoption Plans

If you decide adoption is the right choice, you will work with the adoption coordinator to create an adoption plan. This plan is customizable depending on your goals and desires, but it takes one of three forms:

• Open Adoption: This type of adoption plan is the most flexible and gives you the most options, and most adoptions in California are open. With open adoption, you get to decide the future you want for your child by choosing the adoptive family. Do you want your child to have siblings? Live in the country? Have pets? The adoption agency will help you find the perfect family for your child. You also get to decide if you’d like to remain in contact with the adoptive family and child and in what ways you’ll communicate (over the phone, in person, etc.).
• Semi-Open Adoption: This is similar to open adoption, but all communication is mediated by a third party, like the adoption agency. For example, you can write a letter or email to the adoptive family and child, but the adoption agency will send it for you. This protects your information.
• Closed Adoption: This is the most restrictive adoption option. With closed adoption, you will remain anonymous, which means you and the adoptive family and child won’t know anything about each other. However, in California, closed adoption is not encouraged.

Is Adoption right for me?

Adoption is a big decision, and it can be difficult to know if it’s right for you. However, asking yourself the following questions can help:

• What might my life look like if I choose adoption?
• How might I feel if I choose adoption?
• What are my biggest concerns with adoption?
• What questions do I still have about adoption?

While only you can decide whether adoption is right for you, sometimes talking about it with a neutral third party can help. At Care Net Pregnancy Center of Paradise, we’re here to listen.

We can provide information about each of your options and the essential services you need to protect your health. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.