The open adoption definition is this: it’s an adoptive relationship in which a child’s adoptive family and birth parents exchange identifying information and remain in contact throughout the child’s life. In Washington, open adoption is quickly becoming the most common type of adoptive relationship, and it is strongly recommended for pregnant women who are considering adoption in Washington but want to have a lifelong relationship with their child. If you want to get more information now, then you can contact us online to learn more about open adoption in Washington.

Open adoption stories begin with a pregnant woman and the adoptive family she chooses getting to know each other throughout her pregnancy. Once you choose an adoptive family with American Adoptions, you’ll begin the relationship with a conference call arranged by your adoption specialist. If you wish, you can then begin to independently get to know the adoptive family through phone calls, emails, texts, or in-person meetings. An open adoption in Washington is a relationship just like any other; it can evolve and change along with your comfort levels over time.  

When you go to the hospital to have your child, it’s likely that you will want the adoptive family present in an open adoption. Once your baby is born and placed with the adoptive family, the level of contact you have with them can change over time. At first, you may want a little space to grieve your loss, but as you get more comfortable, you may opt to have in-person meetings with your child to see how he or she is growing. You might also prefer to exchange regular emails or phone calls. In an open adoption in Washington, your communication with your child’s adoptive family can be whatever you want it to be!

Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption in Washington

If an open adoption is an adoption situation in which a child’s birth parents and adoptive parents exchange contact and identifying information, then the closed adoption definition is the exact opposite. In a closed adoption in Washington, no identifying information is shared and little to no communication takes place between the two parties, either before or after placement.

Because most women feel strongly about knowing how their child is doing after placement, closed adoption is the least popular type of adoption today. However, if for any reason you’d like to place your baby for adoption and move on to the next chapter in your life, this is an option for you.

What does open adoption mean for everyone in the adoption triad?

To define open adoption is one thing, but to understand the benefits is also very important to deciding how you’d like your adoptive relationship to go. An open adoption in Washington allows for the following possibilities:

• You get to watch your child grow up. Most adoptions used to be closed, and women didn’t have the comfort of knowing how their child was doing. This is no longer the case. Open adoptions in Washington allow you to get regular updates on your baby and know without a doubt that he or she is happy, healthy and loved.

• You get to know your baby’s adoptive family. If you do choose adoption, it’s because you want to do everything you can to give your child the best life imaginable. An open adoption in WA allows you to verify that that’s exactly what happens. You’ll be able to develop a relationship with the family you’re choosing to raise your child, and you’ll grow to trust that you’ve given your child a happy life with endless opportunities.

• You will be able to explain your adoption decision to your child. Many women who choose adoption for their babies wonder how their child will know how much love went into that decision as they grow up. If you choose open adoption in Washington, you’ll one day be able to explain that decision yourself. You’ll be able to look your child in the eyes and explain that you chose adoption to give them the best life possible, and they’ll understand the pain and sacrifice that went into that choice.

• Your child will be able to have a relationship with you. An adopted child is always going to have questions about their birth parents and where they came from. Not only does having a relationship with you mean there’s another source of love in their life, but they’ll be able to ask you any questions about their adoption story and never feel like they were “given up”.

• Your child’s adoptive parents will be able to get to know you. Sometimes people forget to consider how open adoption benefits a child’s adoptive parents. Not only will they get to develop a relationship with you and add to their family, but they’ll also have access to you in the event that any medical issues arise with your baby. It can be invaluable to have access to a child’s biological parents’ medical history.

For more information about open adoptions in Washington and how to develop a healthy relationship with your child’s adoptive parents, please call American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION. 

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