If you’re considering adoption, you deserve clear information and support without judgment or pressure. Talking with a trusted adult like a parent, counselor, medical provider or adoption professional can help you understand your options and decide what feels right for you. Finding out you’re pregnant can bring up a lot of emotions, especially if you’re still figuring out what you want for your future.
What is Adoption?
Adoption is a legal and social process where a person continues their pregnancy and makes an adoption plan for another person or family to become the child’s legal parent(s).
Choosing adoption does not mean you have to figure everything out by yourself. An adoption professional can help explain the process, answer questions, and help you understand what choices you may have.
If you’re a young person, laws about adoption can vary depending on where you live. If you’re in California, ask a qualified adoption professional or healthcare provider about your specific rights and what support is available to you.
One important thing to know is adoption isn’t just one type of arrangement. Depending on the adoption plan, you may be able to decide how much contact you want with the adoptive family and, in some situations, what type of relationship you want after the adoption.
Types of Adoption:
- Open Adoption
In an open adoption, identifying information is shared and there may be ongoing communication between the birth parent(s) and adoptive parent(s).
Communication might include:
- Texts, calls, or other direct communication
- Photos and updates
- In-person visits
- Sharing identifying information
For some people, ongoing contact can help them stay connected and informed about the child’s life.
- Semi-Open Adoption
In a semi-open adoption, communication may happen through an adoption agency or other professional rather than directly between the birth and adoptive parents.
This might include:
- Photos
- Letters
- Updates shared through an adoption professional
This option may allow someone to receive updates while maintaining more privacy.
- Closed Adoption
In a closed adoption, there is generally no ongoing contact or exchange of identifying information between the birth parent(s) and adoptive parent(s).
The amount of information available later can depend of the laws and policies where the adoption takes place.
Minor Rights
If you continue a pregnancy and make an adoption plan, you can still have a voice in your healthcare and birth experience. In California, young people may have access to pregnancy related healthcare and can ask their healthcare team about available support, including doulas or midwives.
Your healthcare provider or adoption professional can help you understand what choices are available to you and what may require a parent or guardian’s involvement.
There isn’t a right way to feel. If you need support talking to someone who will listen without trying to make the decision for you. Adoption laws and policies can vary, so make sure you’re getting information specific to where you live. Take your time and get informed.
-RJ Intern 💚
Resources
- Childwelfare.gov
- Planned Parenthood
- Adoption Connection
- Pact: An Adoption Alliance
- All Options Talkline: 1-888-493-0092