Open Adoption Pros and Cons [The Benefits for Everyone Involved]

Open adoption is the most common type of adoption because it allows you and the adoptive family to develop a lifelong relationship and maintain a connection with your child. As with any major decision, it’s important to know the pros and cons of open adoption. If you need immediate information, call 1-800-ADOPTION now.

In today’s adoptions, it is highly recommended that the adoptive family and the prospective birth parents be as open as possible with one another. But sometimes, both parties can feel uncomfortable with the idea, or they don’t know what to expect from their interactions.

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, you might even be wondering if this is the best idea for you and your baby and are weighing different open adoption pros and cons. 

We’re ready to help you learn more about open adoption, how you can find the perfect adoptive family and begin developing a lifelong relationship. To get more information on open adoption, call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak to one of our adoption specialists, or visit us online. 

It is always up to you to decide what type of relationship you want to have with the adoptive parents and your child. As you think about your options, here are some of the pros and cons of open adoption to consider: 

Open Adoption Benefits 

There’s no denying it: having an open adoption will not only do wonders for your well-being but your child’s, as well.

Some of the benefits of open adoption include: 

• Your child will be able to understand their background and history and can come to you to ask any questions. 
• You may have better peace of mind once you see how they’re doing. 
• Receiving pictures and letters from the adoptive family will allow you to watch your child grow and thrive in their new environment. 
• If there’s ever an emergency, you can provide potentially life-saving medical history information. 
• By sharing your history, your child won’t have to struggle to open their adoption records, which can be difficult depending on which state they’re in. 
• Choosing an open adoption means that you’ll be able to talk to your child and even see them in person. As long as you and the adoptive family agree on the amount of contact, you can see each other as often as you would like. 

Many women that go through an adoption grieve after being separated from their child. This is a completely normal experience.

Having an open adoption can help you cope with the pain that you’re going through. Grieving can make you feel unsure of your adoption decision, but getting to know your child through post-placement contact can help soothe your pain. 

Jennifer, a birth mother than placed her child for adoption, saw a family’s adoption profile and instantly connected with them. Because she chose to have an open adoption, she not only got to know the adoptive family, she knew they were the perfect parents for her child. 

“I fell in love with Brad and Diane instantly. I wanted to talk with them. They were kind, compassionate, non-judgmental and understanding. They called me their angel. We shared family stories. Our families were so similar. When I hung up the phone, I knew this was the family who was going to raise my baby,” Jennifer said. 

It is up to you to determine how much openness you want in your adoption. Your adoption specialist will help you find the perfect adoptive family that is comfortable with the amount of contact that you choose before and after the placement. So, no matter what your situation, you’ll be able to find an adoptive family that meets your needs. 

By calling 1-800-ADOPTION, you’ll speak to an adoption specialist and get more information on open adoption, its benefits and the types of communication you can utilize to stay connected to the adoptive family and your child. 

Disadvantages of Open Adoption 

While there are many benefits of open adoption, it might not be the best solution for everyone.

Some women find post-adoption contact with the adoptive family and their child to be a painful reminder of a difficult time. These women may choose a closed adoption because they believe it will be easier for them to find closure and move forward after adoption, and that’s okay. 

Additionally, you might decide to choose a closed adoption if you have trouble establishing boundaries with the adoptive family.  Communication is one of the most important aspects of any open adoption. But a lack of communication, or not feeling ready for the challenges that come with it, can cause some open adoption problems.  

However, these problems are something that you and the adoptive family can work through with some patience and honest conversation. Remember to talk to your adoption specialist if you have any concerns about the potential cons of open adoption. 

Advantages of Closed Adoption 

While it is encouraged that you consider an open adoption, it is always up to you to decide what type of post-adoption relationship you want to have with the adoptive family and your child.

There are some advantages of a closed adoption for some women, like: 

• If you don’t want to share any personal information about yourself with the adoptive family or your child, choosing a closed adoption may be the best way to protect your privacy. 
• Some birth mothers believe that choosing to have a closed adoption will allow them to close this chapter of their lives. You might choose a closed adoption if you think it will make it easier for you to heal and find closure after the adoption. 

While these are potential advantages of closed adoption, there are many things you should think about beforehand, just like you would with open adoption. Here are the answers to some questions you may have about open vs. closed adoption:

“If there is a closed adoption, can the adoptive family contact the biological mother?” 

Choosing a closed adoption means that the adoptive family will have a harder time contacting you if their child experiences a medical emergency. Generally, it is much easier to reduce contact in an open adoption than it is to increase contact in a closed adoption. So if you think you may someday want more contact with your child, talk to your adoption specialist about options for keeping the lines of communication open.

“If I have a closed adoption, can I be guaranteed complete privacy?”

In the age of social media, at-home DNA testing services and Google, maintaining complete privacy is virtually impossible. If you choose a closed adoption, your adoption specialist will respect your wishes and take every possible measure to ensure your privacy is protected. However, it’s important to be aware that your identifying information could be discovered accidentally by the adoptee or adoptive family. It’s not uncommon for adult adoptees in closed adoptions to conduct searches and reach out to their birth parents later in life. 

“Can a woman that’s giving her baby up for adoption choose both open and closed adoption?” 

If you’re looking to share only a small amount of information about yourself, but you want to remain in your child’s life, there is a great option for you — a semi-open adoption. With this option, American Adoptions can help you mediate contact with the family through pictures and letters. 

“Can my child find me later in life?” 

Even if you choose to have a closed adoption, your child can still search for you later in life. Most states require that your child be at least 18 before they can request their adoption records and search for you. 

You are in Control of Your Open Adoption 

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to contact for your adoption. It’s important to take care of yourself, and do what’s best for yourself and your family.

To get more information on open adoption and the relationship between you and the adoptive family, call us at 1-800-ADOPTION. 

You can also ask Michelle, a birth parent specialist and a birth parent herself. She can answer any questions you have about putting a baby up for adoption and developing a relationship with the adoptive family.             

“I am available to answer any questions that arise, particularly from birth moms, as I have been in your shoes and know how you are feeling.” 

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