Choosing an Adoption Agency as a Birth Mother in Texas
You have so many thoughts running through your head the moment you find out you’re pregnant, and just as many questions that you don’t have the answers to. Your first instinct is probably to gather up as much information as possible, so you Google it with every combination of words to get as much information as you can.
One option you may be thinking about is adoption and where to start with that. We understand that this can feel overwhelming, as there are many factors to the adoption journey. But don’t worry! You are in good hands! We suggest you begin by researching local adoption agencies in your area. If you live in the Austin area, or live in the Lone Star state, we recommend checking out Adoption Choices of Texas. We are here to support you in any way we can, and are happy to answer any of your questions about how to go about choosing an adoption agency.
If you need help now, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here.
Does the Adoption Agency cover Birth Mother Expenses?
One of the first things you may look for in an adoption agency is if they help cover the financial costs of placing your baby for adoption. While you do not get paid for choosing adoption, you can receive financial assistance. The first financial cost you might think of is the medical bills. These can quickly ramp up when you’re pregnant.
Another cost could regard housing, if you are in need of a place to live during your pregnancy. You may already have a place for you and your baby, but your circumstances may not be safe, healthy or stable. So, you’ll want to look for an adoption agency that can ensure your basic needs are met. You have the right to shelter and a safe place of your own.
What Types of Adoption does the Adoption Agency Offer?
Another thing you may be concerned about does the adoption agency offer open or closed adoptions. Why would this be something you are considering? Well, this directly influences your future. You may not even realize that there are options when it comes to the type of adoption. Adoption Choices of Texas is there for you with this.
An open or closed adoption also influences your relationship with the adoptive parents. The adoption agency acts as a go between and becomes your advocate throughout the adoption journey. . It’s imperative that you are comfortable working with the adoption agency you choose, and that it offers the type of adoption you are looking for..
Does the Adoption Agency keep your Information Confidential?
In the age of technology, it’s always prudent to be aware of who or what has your information. If you don’t feel comfortable with giving any information about yourself to an agency — like medical or health history — that may not be the adoption agency for you. Ask questions on how the information you give is stored, who has access to it.
This is a great time to ask any other questions you have for the adoption agency. Be sure to do your research and come prepared with a list. Ask how long the adoption agency keeps your information. How the adoption process works, and if you have control over anything. Find out if your information is used for anything other than the adoption. All answers around your information should be as transparent as possible.
Does the Adoption Agency Offer Counseling?
This is very important, as it is directly related to your mental and emotional health. If you need to process how you think and feel about placing your baby for adoption, are there trained counselors on staff who can help you with this? Do the counseling services cost anything? Is there a set number of sessions that you are allowed? Is anything and everything you say kept confidential?
At Adoption Choices of Texas, you can recieve free counseling. All sessions are private, safe and confidential. You are free to speak your mind about how you are feeling about the adoption process, and to address any and all concerns you have. Our adoption counselors are compassionate and nonjudgmental. They are not the stereotypical person with a clipboard asking, “how does that make you feel?” Rather, they are very trustworthy and genuinely want to help you make the best decision you can for both you and your baby.
Seeking counseling does not mean you are weak or troubled. It takes some of the strongest people to actually seek counseling. It takes a lot of strength to be aware that you might need help to figure out anything. A very brave person is required to take that first step. You may not see a brave and strong person when you look in the mirror but you are. Even just reaching out to an adoption agency is a brave action.
Counseling can be terrifying as well because you feel like you are bearing your soul to someone who is being paid to listen. The image most people have of a counselor is some faceless person nodding behind a clipboard and asking, “And how does that make you feel?” You may get asked that a lot as you and your counselor build up an adoption plan, but it is important that your adoption plan matches your needs perfectly.
One thing you may be worried about is how available your counselor is. At Adoption Choices of Texas the counselors are available for you 24/7. Your adoption counselor is both your biggest support and greatest advocator. They want to help you create a plan that is centered around you and your needs. If you have a new concern or question every hour and want to pelt them with that, you have the power to do so. They are there for you and to be available for your needs.
If you need help now, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here.
Choosing an Adoption Agency
There are going to be many questions you have when it comes to your search for an adoption agency. Each and every single one of these is valid. Always keep asking questions. Do your research. If something feels slightly off to you, or you’re unsure of something, ask. Knowledge is only gained by asking questions, and the right adoption agency will have the means to answer everything you want to know.
An adoption agency and the adoption process should be as transparent as possible. The websites should be easy to navigate with information at the ready to start narrowing down the amount of questions you may have. Trust yourself as you know what’s best for you. No adoption is just copy and paste. Each birth mother has her own unique circumstances that influence an adoption. The right agency will work with you, not against you.
Please check out Adoption Choices of Texas to see if our local adoption center in Texas the best fit for you and your baby.
As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!
Meet the Author: Courtney Moore was born in Huntington Beach, California. She is currently attending college for English with a minor in History. Her love for writing started at the age of 11 when she won a class competition for a personification of candy in a short story. In her junior year of high school, she was an editor for her school’s literary magazine. In her senior year of high school, her then English teacher told her that she should pursue a career as a literary scholar. The main reason she decided to not pursue that path is that her passions lied more in the creation of writings than the review of it.
She currently lives in Las Vegas with her very spoiled cat Abby, who she happily adopted from the local animal shelter. Courtney has been a supporter of animal adoptions her whole life.
Her interest in child adoptions began at the age of 14. It was at that age that she learned of how many children were in the foster system. Her own childhood was very unstable; however, she was able to stay with at least one of her parents for a majority of it. As she got older, her interests in adoptions grew. Her hopes are that, one day, the foster care system is fixed and is treated as it should be.