I Gave My Baby Up for Adoption, Now What?

By Kaitlyn Chrisemer

Going through the adoption process during an unplanned pregnancy can be jolting when the adoption is finally complete. You’re likely feeling many different emotions after putting your baby up for adoption. Since adoption is one of the main unplanned pregnancy options, many women experience this. 

If you’re still going through your adoption with our adoption centers near you, you may be wondering what comes after. We have tips on moving forward with your life after your adoption is finalized. Adoption Choices of Texas is here for you to help with all things adoption in Houston and beyond. 

Evaluating and Understanding Your Feelings

Emotional well-being is one of the most important things to focus on after choosing adoption as your unplanned pregnancy option. During and after your adoption journey, you’ll experience many different emotions. It’s important to know that anything you feel during this time is okay. Your feelings are always valid, and you should never be afraid of expressing your feelings. 

After you give birth and the adoption is finalized, you should keep track of and note your feelings. It can be startling to suddenly have time to focus more on your feelings than your pregnancy and adoption plan. Your emotional health is important; you can suffer during this hard time if you aren’t attentive. 

Let yourself feel whatever comes naturally. Don’t force yourself to feel something because it’s what you think you should be feeling. Birth mothers have all different types of emotions after the adoption placement. Sometimes these feelings seem to contradict themselves, like relief and guilt, but it’s normal because humans have complex emotions. Consciously make an effort to acknowledge, understand, and evaluate your feelings as they arise before moving on. 

Additionally, Adoption Choices of Texas recommends that you surround yourself with loved ones you can talk to. Although these feelings can be difficult to share, a support system is important throughout and after an adoption. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your feelings on this sensitive subject with your loved ones, contact us. 

Adoption Counseling and Support Groups

If you need more support following your adoption in Houston, contact us. We can connect you with a specialized counselor who can help you work through your feelings one-on-one. Every individual adoption is a unique situation with unique feelings attached to it. Our counselors are well-versed in the adoption world and can be trusted with your feelings on this delicate subject. 

We can also connect you with a support group if you think you would benefit from it. Seeing and talking to other people who are in a similar situation to you can sometimes help you understand yourself. In addition, you may see yourself and your issues reflected, making you feel less alone. 

Mental Health Tips for Birth Mothers in Texas

We also recommend that you prioritize your mental health during this time as an act of self-care. Making sure that your mental well-being is taken care of will help you ease back into the world. This will help you move forward and get back to living your life rather than wallowing in your feelings. In addition, taking care of your mental health will help you move on faster after placing your baby for adoption. 

We recommend a few things to ensure you’re looking after your mental health. Firstly, you may find it helpful to keep a journal throughout your adoption process and/or after. This can serve as an outlet for your emotions and help you make sense of them. In addition, putting thoughts on paper can get them out of the loop in your mind and allow you to evaluate them better. 

We also suggest that you try to keep busy with things you enjoy. For example, you could pick up or return to hobbies you’ve been thinking about throughout pregnancy. Spend time outside and take walks or visit friends. Keeping yourself busy will give your mind less time to run wild and overthink. An overthinking mind can bring to light problems that previously wouldn’t have existed. 

Accepting Your Decision to Choose Adoption

You must be able to accept your decision to give up your baby for adoption. Remember that you’re giving your baby a chance at a better life than you could’ve given yourself. To move on from your decision to choose adoption, you need to accept it. 

If you need assistance with anything involving adopción en Texas, let us know.  Podemos ayudar a hispanohablantes también.

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!

Adoption Choices of Texas es la única agencia de adopción con servicios completamente en esapñol en el estado de Texas. Si está embarazada y necesita ayuda, llámenos o envíenos un mensaje de texto y uno de nuestros especialistas en adopción podrá ayudarlo. Podemos ayudarte con la adopcion de niños. Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de adopción como una mujer embarazada o una madre biológica, comuníquese con Adoption Choices of Texas. Para español llamar: 888-510-5029