Pregnant Women: Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT MAKING THE DECISION
How do I know if adoption is right for me?
What if I haven't decided about adoption?
ABOUT ADOPTION PATHS
How can Adoption Paths help me?
Can Adoption Paths help me if I live in another state?
ABOUT THE ADOPTION PROCESS
Can I get financial help during my pregnancy?
If I choose adoption, can I select the family I want to raise my child?
How will I know how my child is doing after placing with an adoptive family?
ABOUT MAKING THE DECISION
How do I know if adoption is right for me?
An unplanned pregnancy is one of the most difficult life crises any woman can face, and most women need help with their choices: parenting your baby, abortion, or placing your child for adoption.
Having worked with hundreds of women in life crisis, Adoption Paths is here (without judgment or pressure) to help you ask yourself the hard questions, such as: Am I in a stable relationship, with the support I need to parent? Do I have enough money to raise a child, or another child? Is it important to me that the baby I’m carrying survive to live in a loving, stable home? Am I emotionally ready to give my child a better life than I’m able to provide at this time in my own life?
In our experience, adoption allows you to choose a loving family eager to parent a child, with the option that you may maintain a relationship with your child through open adoption. We consider adoption to be one of life’s greatest acts of love -- an extraordinary gift to the birth parents, the adopting parents, and the child. However, only you can decide what’s best for you and your baby.
What if I haven't decided about adoption?
No problem. We don’t expect you to make such an important decision quickly or easily. We’ll be glad to help you sort through your questions and concerns.
Until the time that you sign relinquishment papers, you may change your mind about placing your child. We encourage you to think things through very carefully and thoroughly before making the commitment to place your baby with a family anxious to become adoptive parents. At Adoption Paths, we can help with the very important decision that changes lives – not just yours.
ABOUT ADOPTION PATHS
How can Adoption Paths help me?
When you contact us, we are ready to help you work through your feelings to make a decision that’s right for you and your baby. If you choose to pursue adoption, we’ll help you create your adoption plan for the kind of family you’d like to raise your child, the kind of contact you want to maintain, and how you want to go about giving birth and placing your child. We’ll help you select the best possible family to raise your child. We’ll also connect you with all the resources you need to prepare for the adoption – legal, medical, and emotional. Our services to birth parents are always free.
Read more about Adoption Paths.
Can Adoption Paths help me if I live in another state?
Yes. Though Adoption Paths is registered as an adoption facilitator in California, we work with birth parents and adopting parents outside this state. We also work closely with adoption agencies and attorneys nationwide who can help you with your adoption process at no charge. The adoption laws in each state vary, and we will make sure you talk with an adoption professional who advises you of your rights based on the laws in your state.
ABOUT THE ADOPTION PROCESS
Can I get financial help during my pregnancy?
We work with some families who are willing to help you with your financial needs. These families are prepared to help with maternity-related expenses, such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, and medical care not covered by private health insurance or by your state’s medical plan. Though the laws about payments for pregnancy-related expenses vary from state to state, most states permit some expenses to be paid to pregnant women who make adoption plans. Also, you can receive legal services and counseling support and no cost to you.
If I choose adoption, can I select the family I want to raise my child?
Yes, we’ll help you identify what sort of life you want your child to have, and to help you find the family (anywhere in the country) that best meets your priorities. The families we have access to are very open to talking with you on the phone and (if you like) meeting you in person so that you can get to know them better. The choice of where your baby goes is up to you.
How will I know how my child is doing after placing with an adoptive family?
Through open adoption, after you place your child with the family you select, you may receive photos and updates regularly, and you also have the option of visits with your child and his or her adoptive parents. We have adopting families who are committed to maintaining the relationship between birth and adopting families for the benefit of the child. We’ll be glad to talk with you about the options for open adoption before and after your child is born. The choice is yours.
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