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“If I Choose Adoption, Will I Be Abandoning My Child?”

Are you unexpectedly pregnant and wrestling with the question of which pregnancy decision is best for you?  This can be a difficult choice, as each of your options (abortion, adoption, and parenting) may include unique challenges.  Perhaps you feel unprepared to be a mom, but abortion doesn’t feel like the right decision either.  Could adoption be a good fit?  Many women have mixed emotions about adoption.  You may be wondering if forming an adoption plan could feel like abandoning your child.

At Avenue Women’s Center, we’re committed to providing reliable information about all your pregnancy options. We’re here to engage in authentic conversations about your hopes for this season of pregnancy and beyond.  If you’re considering your options, including adoption, we’re here to walk you through your questions and concerns.  All of our services are completely confidential and offered free of charge!

Call, text, chat, or email today to schedule an appointment at one of our six Chicagoland locations!

Adoption is Not Abandonment

Let’s take a moment to explore the key differences between adoption, a caring and workable option, and abandonment, which is anything but.  Abandonment may be described as giving up control or influence, or as removal of support.  The word has a negative undertone.  To some people, the act of forming an adoption plan may sound a bit like desertion.  The truth is that a woman who pursues adoption is never guilty of abandonment. Instead, she is actively laying foundations for a positive future.  By recognizing that this isn’t the right time to parent (if this is true of her situation), and by preparing another more supportive opportunity, she is demonstrating kindness.  The child’s needs will still be met, just by someone else who feels ready to accept this responsibility.

Creating a Customized Adoption Plan

The adoption process has changed so much over the years!  Women have the ability to create their own custom adoption plan.  If you decide to form an adoption plan, there are typically three types: open, semi-open, or closed adoption.  An open adoption allows the birth parent(s) and adoptive family to determine the level of communication and involvement they would like going forward.  In a semi-open adoption, communication with the adoptive family can go through a 3rd party adoption professional, and information can be shared as you request.  For those who prefer to remain anonymous and have no interaction with the adoptive family, closed adoption is another option.  Selecting the adoptive parents is also a possibility, regardless of which adoption plan is chosen.  The process can be tailored to your unique wishes, empowering you to remain involved as much (or as little) as you desire to be.

Help is Here!

For many women, adoption is both an emotionally painful and emotionally healing journey.  Receiving support both before and after any pregnancy decision is crucial.  Consider connecting with a faith leader, compassionate medical professional, or pregnancy consultant as you contemplate the future.  Although Avenue Women’s Center is not an adoption agency, our knowledgeable pregnancy consultants are available to process all your pregnancy options with you, including adoption.  We welcome your questions and would love to offer resources and referrals to help meet your specific needs.  Additionally, Avenue provides practical services like medical-grade pregnancy tests and limited medical ultrasounds so you have all the facts you need to make an informed decision.  Whether you choose to move forward with adoption or one of your other pregnancy options, there may be some challenging days on the road ahead.  But there is hope available as well, often in the form of caring support.

At Avenue, our goal is to create a safe space where you feel comfortable exploring your options and resources free of pressure.  Services are completely confidential and offered at no cost because we believe in making accurate information accessible to every woman.  We’re here to equip you to take your next steps into a bright future, feeling supported all along the way. 

Schedule a visit with our expert staff!  We’ve been walking beside women on their pregnancy journeys since 1981, and we’d love to partner with you too.

 

 

The information provided here is general in nature.  It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center.  If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention.  Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.