Some women facing an unplanned pregnancy are worried about choosing adoption because they are worried about what their relationship will look like when it’s over.  Will they be able to see their child? Will they be able to get to know them as they grow up?

Today's adoptions are different compared to previous generations for a number of reasons. To learn more about open adoption in South Dakota, please call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time to receive free information.

What is a Closed Adoption in SD?

 In early adoptions, it was believed that everything should be discreet, and in many cases, there was little to no indication that an adoption had even occurred. This is referred to as a closed adoption, and was intended to protect the well-being of the adoptive family as well as the birth parents.

However, this amount of secrecy led to feelings of isolation and depression for everyone involved. As adoption records were closed, adopted children had almost no idea of where they came from and no way to contact their birth parents. Women who placed their children for adoption had to go through their entire lives never knowing what happened afterwards, leading to feelings of shame and resentment.

Thankfully, this is no longer the case. Open adoption facts have shown that open line of communication helps develop healthy relationships that will last a lifetime, leading to a shift away from closed adoption in South Dakota and throughout the United States. 

What is a Semi-Open Adoption in South Dakota?

Even if you know you don’t want a closed adoption, you may be in a position where you are not comfortable choosing a fully open adoption.  Semi-open or mediated adoption is an option that allows the adoptive family and the birth parents to share contact while keeping all identifying information private. Typically, you may choose to share:

• Only your first name

• The state you live in but with no mention of your address

• Pictures and letters through the agency

If you choose a mediated or semi-open adoption in South Dakota, contact will be made through a third party such as American Adoptions. You could also send your pictures and letters through an anonymous mail box. This option is great for those wanting more privacy in their adoption.

How Do We Define Open Adoption in SD?

With so many definitions, it’s not unexpected to hear the question, “What does open adoption mean in South Dakota?”

When you choose an open — also known as a fully disclosed — adoption, you have the freedom to choose what you want it to include. With this option, you can expect to share any information you are comfortable with, such as:

• Your first and last name

• The state that you live in and your address

• Phone calls, Skype, photos, and regular letters

• Visits on holidays and birthdays

• And more

Because we work with adoptive families across the country, there are plenty of families for you to choose from. This means that there will be many couples hoping to adopt who want the same level of contact that you do and who will be more than willing to share frequent phone calls, pictures, letters, and more with you. Because there is no single open adoption definition in South Dakota, you have the freedom to choose the level of contact you are comfortable with.

What are the Benefits of an Open Adoption in South Dakota?

We know about different open adoption definitions, but you might be wondering why choosing an open adoption in South Dakota is so important for everyone involved.

By choosing an open adoption, adopted children will be able to:

• Share their unique open adoption stories and connect with other adopted children

• Understand connections to their cultural and ethnic heritage

• Understand why they were placed for adoption, and develop a closer relationship with their birth parents

Some birth parents experience feelings of grief and loss after the adoption, something that is perfectly normal. Open adoption can help birth mothers alleviate this pain. As you see your child grow up in a healthy and loving environment, it will help solidify your adoption decision.

In an open adoption, birth mothers will be able to experience:

• Peace of mind once they see how their child is doing

• The ability to develop a deeper relationship with the adoptive family

• The ability to share their history with their child and the adoptive family

Some adoptive families worry that choosing an open adoption in South Dakota means that they will have to become co-parents — but this is not the case. Some of the benefits for adoptive families include:

• Improving their understanding of their child’s history

• Building healthy relationships with the child’s birth family, and getting to know the people that are making such a selfless decision

• Having direct access to their child’s birth family for any questions and concerns

To learn more about the open adoption process in South Dakota, please call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time to speak with one of our specialists. Phone calls can be anonymous, and you are under no obligation to choose adoption.

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