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Choosing Adoption After Assault

At the heart of every expectant birth mother’s choice to place their baby for adoption is the desire to do what’s best for themselves and their baby. Choosing adoption after assault is a difficult decision that no one should have to make, but can be a big step forward in the healing process.

If you’re unexpectedly pregnant as a result of assault and are considering adoption, we’re here for you. To get more information about how adoption can change your and your baby’s life, get connected with an adoption specialist today.

Choosing adoption for your baby can be an emotionally complicated journey, especially when facing an unplanned pregnancy that was out of your control. When you choose adoption, not only will you be giving your child an amazing life, but you’ll be completely in control of the process.

How We Will Support You

American Adoptions is devoted to supporting our prospective birth mothers in every way we can. We want to help you respond to your situation and give your baby an amazing life with a loving family. To that end, we work hard to provide you with the resources and services you need to have the best possible adoption experience such as:

  • Financial assistance: As an expectant birth mother, adoption is completely free to you. During your pregnancy, your financial assistance will include

    • Rent/mortgage

    • Utilities

    • Groceries

    • Medical bills

    • And more

  • 24/7 counseling: Adoption in your circumstances will come with a lot of complex emotions. Our adoption specialists are available 24/7 to support you emotionally and practically. You’ll never have to shoulder anything alone.
  • Safe housing: If you’ve found yourself in an unsafe living situation during your pregnancy, we can help get set up with safe and affordable housing options.

How You Control Your Adoption Journey

Experiencing an unwanted pregnancy after assault can leave you feeling a lack of control. When it comes to planning your adoption journey with American Adoptions, you will be in control of every aspect. Your specialist will help you create an adoption plan that meets your needs. Your plan will include choices such as:

  • Choosing the adoptive family: With the help of your adoption specialist, you’ll be able to find and choose an adoption match that fits your adoption plan. No matter where you’re at in your pregnancy or if your baby has already been born, you get to decide who raises your child.

  • Your hospital stay: You’ll get to create a hospital plan that will outline the details of your hospital stay. This can be an emotionally and physically intensive time, so we want you to be able to make the choices that make you feel most comfortable.

  • Contact with the adoptive family and your child: With an open or semi-open adoption, you’ll be able to stay in contact with the adoptive family during and after your pregnancy. The mode and frequency of contact will up to you. If you would like no contact so that you can create the space you need to move on and heal, then that is completely OK, too.

How to Choose Adoption After Assault [5 Steps]

Becoming a parent may not have been something you ever wanted for yourself, or maybe you don’t currently have the resources to raise a child. Experiencing an unwanted pregnancy after assault can add an extra layer of emotional difficulty if you feel like raising this child might hinder your ability to heal from your trauma.

Choosing adoption can help create the space to heal while giving your child a loving family.

Step 1. Consider the Benefits of Adoption and How They Could Help You

Choosing adoption for your baby is a decision that will change your and your baby’s life forever.  There are a lot of emotions that come with adoption: excitement, uncertainty, hope, fear, and more. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the conflicting emotions caused by your situation, considering the benefits of adoption can help you decide if this is the right path for you.

  • Take control of your situation:  Adoption can provide you with structure and support throughout your unplanned pregnancy.  When you work with an adoption agency, you’ll have access to helpful resources, counseling and financial assistance. In the midst of a crisis, adoption can show you the light at the end of the tunnel.

  • Give you and your baby better futures:  Adopted children get to enjoy a life full of security, opportunity and the love of their adoptive family and you.  Through adoption, you’ll be able to return to the path you had mapped out for your life and do what you need to do to move forward.

Step 2. Work with American Adoptions

With over 30 years of experience helping prospective birth mothers, we can ensure you have a safe and successful adoption experience.  We offer 24/7 services, matching services, financial assistance and help to create your adoption plan. No matter what emotional or practical issues may arise, we will offer you continuous support.

Step 3.  Find an Amazing Finally

One of the many ways you’ll be in control of your adoption process is by choosing the hopeful adoptive couple to parent your child. Your adoption specialist will help you determine what qualities you’re looking for in prospective adoptive parents. They’ll find adoptive family profiles that fit your preferences for you to look through until you find the perfect adoption match.

If you’re struggling with the idea of having to choose a family for your child, your adoption specialist would be happy to choose a family for you. You will be able to list the qualities you’d like the potential adoptive family to have, and we will find a family that matches those preferences for you.

Step 4. Create a Hospital Plan

Part of your adoption plan includes how you want your hospital stay and delivery to look. Your adoption specialist will help you create the plan and coordinate it with the hospital staff. You’ll be able to decide things like:

  • Which hospital you’ll be at

  • Who gets to hold the baby first

  • Who gets to be in the delivery room with you

  • Do you want to spend time alone with your baby?

  • And more

Know that you can have as little or as much time with your baby and the adoptive family during your hospital stay. Your adoption specialist will be there to support and uphold your decision.

Step 5. Complete the Adoption

Adoption is about you and your baby.  You deserve to feel in control of your future and to have the opportunity to give your child the best life possible.  You’ll be able to move forward with your life and heal knowing your child is deeply loved and cared for by a family of your choosing.  Your adoption specialist will be there to provide post-placement support if difficult emotions arise.

Get Started Today

If you’re considering choosing adoption after assault, we’re here for you every step of the way. You’re making a brave and selfless choice to give both you and your baby a second chance at the future you deserve. If you have questions about adoption or are ready to begin your journey, get connected with a specialist today.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

Read More

Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

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The Best for Her Babies - Why One Birth Mother Doesn't Regret Her Decision

Lindsey was already the mother to one baby with special needs when she found herself pregnant again. A single mom in the midst of a divorce, she knew adoption was the way to give both her daughters what they deserved.

Read the Story