Considering Adoption During Quarantine in Texas

An unplanned pregnancy in Texas is already a difficult and nerve-wracking experience without the weight of a pandemic looming over everyone. If you have found yourself pregnant during COVID-19, a question has probably entered your mind: can I still place my child for adoption during quarantine? 

The short answer is yes! Adoption Choices of Texas has remained open and fully functioning throughout this pandemic and will continue to do so. While the adoption process has remained the same, some changes have had to be made to keep not only you, but also your child safe. 

If you are considering adoption during quarantine, we understand that you are still experiencing fear, anxiety and nerves about going through the process with a pandemic raging around. While we may not be able to fully quench your anxiety, we can reassure you that throughout every step of this process your health and safety are at the utmost importance. 

The Anxiety of Adoption during Quarantine 

During this time, there is a lot of fear and anxiety about keeping oneself safe and healthy. If you have found yourself unexpectedly pregnant, that fear and anxiety will understandably become heightened. Adoption Choices of Texas wants to reassure you that if adoption is your choice, the health of you and your child is the most important thing for us. 

The adoption process to its core has not changed due to COVID-19, but certain elements of how each step of the process is carried out have had to evolve. An example of this is meeting with your chosen social worker. Once you have chosen adoption and have spoken to one of our representatives, you will be matched with a social worker who will help you through this process. You will, most likely, meet with your social worker remotely using online programs such as ZOOM or Skype, or conversing via FaceTime or voice call. 

Adoptive Family Interactions 

An important part of the adoption process is the meeting of birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents. This is often a big moment for birth mothers and adoptive parents alike. But, with the onset of COVID-19 and quarantine, what kind of interaction is possible? 

As of June 1, 2020, the possibility of an in-person meeting in Texas for birth mothers and adoptive parents. For your first meeting with the adoptive parents, you will most likely be allowed to have an in-person interaction while practicing CDC safety guidelines by wearing masks and practicing social distancing. 

However, after this, it is advised that you limit your in-person interaction as much as possible. Future interactions with adoptive parents should be done remotely. Most of your relationship with adoptive parents will be done through FaceTime, ZOOM or Skype. This is not how either birth mothers or adoptive parents would want this relationship to go, but the safety of all involved is the most important thing to remember. 

Adoption Hospital Experience during COVID

A big aspect of the adoption process that has had to evolve is the hospital experience for birth mothers. This experience will be different than a delivery under normal circumstances, and can understandably cause anxiety for an unexpecting woman about not only her safety, but her child’s as well. 

All hospitals are following not only CDC guidelines, but are also implementing initiatives to keep their staff and patients safe. One of the most relevant changes to the birth experience for birth mothers that visitors are to be limited while giving birth. Hospitals all across Texas are limiting visitors to one to two. Of course, it is important to remember that each case is different. If your doctor believes that having visitors is not a safe option for you or your baby, you may not be able to have a visitor in the delivery room with you. 

While this situation is far from ideal, it is important to remember that all of this is being done in the name of you and your baby’s safety. 

Considering Adoption during Quarantine 

An unplanned pregnancy during a pandemic may seem like an incredibly difficult ordeal to get through. The idea of going through adoption may feel impossible. How can you possibly stay safe and healthy during a pandemic? You’re in good hands! Adoption Choices of Texas is here to help you through this difficult time. 

If adoption is how you have decided to proceed, we can assure you that safety is our number one priority during the pandemic and quarantine. All of our staff have and will be following CDC guidelines to keep all those involved in the adoption process safe and healthy; that includes you and your baby! 

Our procedures for adoption may have changed such as the use of masks and social distancing. But, our care for both you and your baby will not change during quarantine or this pandemic. 

Together, we will get through this difficult time! 

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: Sarah Henderson can best be described as someone with an eclectic taste in all things related to literacy and writing. She can be found reading a wide array of subjects from true crime novels to the next young adult fantasy series. Because of her love of literature, it has been Sarah’s dream to become a novelist herself. 

After graduating from college in 2019, Sarah has been spending her time planning, researching and writing for her first novel. 

When she isn’t reading or writing her novel, you can find Sarah out for her early morning run, hiking a three-plus mile hike or cooking her favorite vegan meal. She presently lives in Indianapolis, IN and is waiting for the next chapter of her life to begin!