12 Things You Should Know About Open Adoption

Are you pregnant and considering adoption for your baby or child? Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed and scared. The process can feel intimidating, but it’s not when you have someone that can share the steps to take and the facts that will help you feel more confident.

Lifetime Adoption has caring Adoption Coordinators ready to help you. They will share with you the information you need to make the best decision for you and your baby, no matter where you are and at any time. Some women call us early into their pregnancy, and others contact us at the hospital in the early stages of labor. It’s never too late to choose adoption, and so some women call us after their baby has been born. Our caring Adoption Coordinators can help you at any stage and will walk you through the steps. You can speak to them any time at 1-800-923-6784, by calling or texting.

Here are the 12 things about modern, open adoption that we feel you should know:

1. You have the final say when deciding what is best for you and your baby. You will not be judged or pressured.
2. Your privacy is important. The information you share with Lifetime Adoption is confidential.
3. You can select the adoptive parents and meet them. Lifetime Adoption has screened and safe adoptive families living all across the nation of a variety of ethnicities, and from many different backgrounds.
4. In many cases, you will be able to receive financial help with your living expenses, housing, food, maternity clothes, and transportation to your doctor’s office for prenatal visits.
5. You can typically get assistance from the adoptive parents you choose with pregnancy-related medical expenses not covered by your insurance.
6. Lifetime Adoption offers free licensed counseling, and you can speak to another birth mother through our peer support adoption counseling. This can help you sort through your thoughts and feelings as you are deciding what to do.
7. Each of our waiting adoptive parents is thoroughly screened through the FBI with background checks. They must also have a “home study,” where a social worker visits their home for interviews and inspections. After all of that, the couple is prepared to bring a child into their family and home.

8. You can view waiting adoptive families online to learn more about their lives, beliefs, occupations, and parenting philosophy. By reading their profiles, watching their videos, and viewing their photos, you can learn so much about them. If you’re interested in an adoptive couple, you can interview them over the phone, by text, or by meeting in person when you’re ready.

9. Through open adoption, you can have ongoing contact after the placement. Many birth mothers choose to receive updates through emails, photos, and posts on social media about their child as he or she grows up.

10. There are no costs to you. All our services are free. You never have to pay for any legal fees, and you don’t have to go to court.

11. You have access to Lifetime staff after the adoption for support.

12. You are eligible to apply for a birth mother scholarship through the Lifetime Foundation to help you go back to school or finish your education.

Lifetime Adoption has tons of useful resources we can share with you that are free. Just ask!

You can call or text us now at 1-800-923-6784. We’re here to help you 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Written by Heather Featherston

As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.

Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.

As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.

Read more about Heather Featherston