Choosing adoption for your baby can be a very difficult decision. There’s a lot of emotion that comes with it, and it’s a decision made out of love. Even though adoption can be a beautiful journey that creates an opportunity for your baby to grow up in a loving family, there is still personal loss involved.

But there’s good news: goodbye doesn’t have to be forever when you choose adoption.

Now more than ever before, open adoption in Delaware is a possibility for you. You may not know much open adoption — the idea may even seem a little intimidating. Once you hear more about open adoption in Delaware, and some open adoption facts, this will fade away.

Many birth mothers can tell open adoption stories that show how beautiful this ongoing relationship can be. For many women considering adoption, this brings a sense of peace and confidence about choosing adoption. We hope the same can be true for you as you consider adoption for your baby.

As you’re reading this guide to open adoption in Delaware, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out this online form at any time to speak with an adoption specialist about specific questions you may have. The big takeaway is this: open adoption in Delaware is a possibility for you, and it can be a great choice.

Open, Semi-Open and Closed Adoption in Delaware 

When thinking about the future relationship between yourself, the adoptive family and your child, there are basically three options. You could choose an open, semi-open or closed adoption. Each choice has its advantages, and you have the power to choose what will be best for your unique journey.

• Open Adoption: An open adoption in Delaware means that you and the prospective adoptive family will share identifying information — like phone numbers or email addresses — and have direct contact during pre-placement and post-placement. Within Delaware open adoption, the type of communication can vary. Based on what is best for you, you may exchange emails, speak over a phone call or have in-person visits. After placement has occurred, some open adoptions consist of photo and letter updates, while others include in-person visits and a more direct relationship.

• Semi-Open Adoption: This is the most common type of open adoption in domestic infant adoptions. Semi-open adoption in Delaware is like open adoption, except that it is mediated by an adoption professional. There are varying degrees of contact in semi-open adoption in Delaware. Many prospective birth mothers and adoptive families appreciate the structure and boundaries of a semi-open adoption, which provides confidence while also maintaining the important connection between yourself and the adoptive parents.

• Closed Adoption: When most people think about what adoption is like, they are most likely thinking about closed adoption. However, the truth is that closed adoption in Delaware is the least common type of domestic infant adoption that occurs today. In a closed adoption, there is no exchange of identifying information between the prospective birth mother and the adoptive family, and there is no contact after placement occurs. While some may find this route preferable due to the protection of privacy, many others find the communication with an adoptive family to be a better option.

When you work with American Adoptions, you adoption specialist will help you weigh all three choices and guide you toward the best decision for you.

Open Adoption in Delaware Then

It wasn’t always like this. Until only a couple decades ago, adoption was associated with secrecy and shame. This was the result of a poor cultural understanding of adoption, and it meant that an expectant mother choosing adoption felt pressure to keep it a secret. Mothers had very little control over the choices of their adoption, and “goodbye” was often permanent. This process, which did not have nearly enough respect for expectant mothers, ultimately caused additional harm to women who were already going through something difficult. In this climate, open adoption in Delaware or anywhere else was nearly impossible.

Open Adoption in Delaware Now

Thankfully, things have changed. As a society, we have gained a much better understanding of adoption. A mother choosing adoption is not “giving up” her baby — she is making a brave choice to give a chance at life. An expectant mother choosing adoption deserves respect and the power to set the terms of her own adoption plan. This perspective has increased the prominence of open and semi-open adoption. Today, more than 90 percent of all domestic infant adoptions are at least semi-open.

Benefits of Open Adoption

Open adoption in Delaware can be beneficial to the prospective birth mother, adoptive family and child. By creating ongoing connection, open adoption helps bring confidence and comfort to the adoption process. Some benefits of open adoption in Delaware are:

• A sense of control over the adoption process

• More certainty through relationship

• A sense of confidence from getting to know the adoptive family

• An ongoing connection to your baby

• The chance for your baby to know they are loved by their adoptive family and birth mother

There are sure to be many other benefits of open adoption in Delaware in your specific situation. Your adoption specialist will help you understand all of these open adoptions facts and then create an adoption plan that works best for you.

Beginning Your Delaware Open Adoption

You can call 1-800-ADOPTION today to speak with an adoption specialist about open adoption in Delaware. If you are thinking about adoption for your baby, open adoption can be a great opportunity for you. 

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