Important Pros and Cons of Closed Adoption as a Pregnant Woman in Texas

If you are currently facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering adoption, you probably have some questions about what the adoption process will look like for you and your child. You may be wondering whether or not you will be able to maintain contact with your child after their placement, or if you even want to. As the birth mother, these decisions are ultimately up to you, and so it is good to be aware of your options.

At Adoption Choices of Texas, our Texas adoption center is here to help you make many of the necessary decisions that go into making an adoption plan. Our adoption counselors and caseworkers will be with you to help throughout your adoption journey and to answer any difficult questions, no matter what adoption path you choose.

Cons of Closed Adoption in Texas

• Lack of Contact. The most important thing to keep in mind with a closed adoption is that there is no contact between birth mother and child. This means that you will not be able to communicate with your child or receive updates on your child’s life from the adoptive family. If this is something that you struggle with, you may want to consider making your adoption arrangement more open.
• Less Access to Family History. While the most important details of your family’s history and medical information may be shared prior to your child’s placement, a closed adoption can often make it difficult for your child and the adoptive family to access your family history. This may become important if your child develops any health condition or receives treatment that may be affected by yours or your family’s medical history.
• Limited Flexibility. In choosing a closed adoption arrangement, you will have less flexibility if you decide later on that you want a relationship with your child. As your child grows up within a closed adoption arrangement, birth mothers and adoptive families often move on with their lives, making it difficult to reconnect later on. It is also important to remember that you may only make contact with your child in a closed adoption if the adoptive family agrees.

Pros of Closed Adoption in Texas

• Privacy for You and Your Child.One of the biggest benefits of a closed adoption is that it gives you and your child a sense of privacy by keeping the identities of everyone involved confidential. This means that the adoption record will be closed to both your child and the adoptive family, and there will be no contact between you and your child or the adoptive family. Having privacy may be important to you as the birth mother if you have concerns about yours or your child’s health and safety, or if you are worried how others may react to your decision.
• A Sense of Closure. Many birth mothers find it difficult to move on after placing a child for adoption. While this journey is never easy, a closed adoption can give you the space you need to close the door to this chapter of your life. This is especially important if you are struggling to cope with any difficult circumstances surrounding your pregnancy, as maintaining a relationship with your child may serve as a reminder of your own past experiences.
• Clearly Defined Boundaries. The adoption process can be very confusing for birth mothers who have difficulty understanding their role in their child’s life. If this describes you, you may find it easier to make a closed adoption plan, as this can protect you and your child from the confusion of undefined roles and boundaries that often come with other forms of adoption. It is important to remember that adoption is not the same as co-parenting, and if this is something you struggle with you should consider a closed adoption.

Is Closed Adoption Right for You and Your Child?

There are many important decisions that go into making an adoption plan, and it is important to remember that you are not alone. At Adoption Choices of Texas, we want you to feel confident and informed along every step of your adoption journey, and we will work with you to create an adoption plan that works for you and your child.

Adoption Choices of Texasis here to answer any of your questions. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have questions about the pros and cons of closed adoptionor the adoption process in general.

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: Jennie Knuppel is a student at the University of Texas at Austin studying English Literature. She is currently enrolled in the English Honors Program, for which she is writing a thesis in comparative literature prior to graduating in the spring of 2022. Jennie has previously taken courses in literature and both creative and technical writing, and she spent four years working in her high school’s journalism department. 

Jennie is also currently working as a barista, and, in her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family and pets.