How to Start the Adoption Process
During your adoption process, you’ll make many important decisions. Navigating these life-changing choices can be an emotional challenge. But, you are not alone.
When you work with an adoption professional, you will have the biggest supporters by your side to guide you through your emotions and the process.
To help, we’ll answer some common questions about where to begin with adoption and processing the complex emotions that come with it.
How to Get Started with Adoption [Processing Your Emotions in 3 Steps]
Adoption means something different to every birth mother, but the end goal is the same: to give their baby the best life possible.
No matter what your reason is for choosing adoption, whether you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or having second thoughts about parenting, this choice is selfless and heroic.
Everyone’s adoption journey is unique, but it’s normal for many birth mothers to experience emotions like:
- Guilt
- Loss
- Uncertainty
- Doubt
- And more
Before you contact an adoption professional, make 100% sure that adoption is the best choice for you and your baby.
Below are three steps you can take to prepare yourself for the emotions ahead.
Step 1: Understand Your Emotions about Starting the Adoption Process
Many expectant mothers considering adoption will first feel a sense of guilt.
Although this emotion is common, you should remember that you are exploring adoption to ensure that your child has a loving home where their family will care for them.
Making this decision for your child takes courage and sacrifice.
Another emotion you may feel is loss. Having carried a baby for nine months, a sense of loss is a normal, valid emotion. You have every right to mourn the loss of your child, even if the loss was a choice you made for the well-being of your baby and yourself.
But, all the emotions you feel shouldn’t be 100% negative. Similar to those who go through the five stages of grief after a loss, you should also feel at peace with your decision to place your baby up for adoption.
Step 2: Learn as Much as You Can about Adoption and Where to Begin
Adoption can be a complex process no matter how much research you do. But, knowledge is power.
Knowing what to expect during the different stages of the adoption process can help:
- Calm your fears
- Temper your expectations
- Make you feel more confident in your decision
Plus, there are many benefits of adoption for your baby, such as:
- Staying connected with you through open adoption
- A loving family who will always cherish them
- Growing up and become the person they are meant to be
Sometimes, not knowing where to begin with adoption can stir up some anxiety. But, one of the best ways to learn more about adoption is by talking to those who have been in your shoes.
Step 3: Build an Adoption Support System
Adoption is a personal choice, and it’s hard to understand if you have not experienced it yourself.
If you feel guilty about your decision to place your baby up for adoption, then you might be worried about rejection from friends or family members.
No matter what emotions you feel, finding a close-knit support group goes a long way. It can help you navigate the toughest times and understand why adoption was the best choice for you.
Once you build a solid team of compassionate friends and family members, you should feel a lot more prepared for the emotions of adoption. Your support group is there to lean on in your times of need.
Professional help is always one call away, too. As a prospective birth parent, you can get immediate, free counseling 24/7 when you call 1-800-ADOPTION any time.
