Pregnancy E-Magazine, June 2012
Pregnancy Announcements
Introducing our new Unplanned Pregnancy Community website. Find support and informative articles about unplanned pregnancy.
Blogging: Interested in Blogging? We're currently looking for volunteer bloggers for the following categories: Unplanned Pregnancy and Birth/First Parent.
Choosing an Adoptive Family
No matter if you're a teenager or an adult, choosing adoption can be a difficult choice to make. One of the next hardest decisions you'll need to make is choosing the adoptive family with which to place your child. Even if you're still exploring your options and haven't yet decided to place, it can still be helpful to narrow down what you're looking for in an adoptive family. If at any time you start to feel overwhelmed with this difficult process, take a break and then continue to move forward one step at a time.
The easiest way to find the right adoptive family for your child is to compile a list of attributes--both physical and personality--based-that you're looking for. If you need help coming up with some, take a look at the small list below.
- Height and weight
- Ethnicity
- Hair, skin, and eye color
- Occupation
- Education level
- Current family size
- Desired family size
- Interests and skills
- Languages spoken
- Hometown
- Religious and social beliefs
- Type of adoption wanted - open, semi-open/semi-closed, or closed
All of these may be very important to you. Don't feel hesitant if you want to specify an ethnicity or religious affiliation. If having your child grow up in a home where s/he looks like others in the home, there is nothing wrong with that. If you are of a certain faith, or appreciate and respect a different faith, it's perfectly acceptable to dictate your preferences.
Once you have compiled your list of preferred attributes, skills, and beliefs, it's time to prioritize them. While you may be able to find one match with everything on your list, chances are you'll have to compromise on some of them. So, in order to be prepared, rearrange your list in order of importance. Mark the ones that you won't budge on. And then mark the ones that you'd like, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker if the adoptive family didn't have a certain item on the list.
Now that you're organized, it's time to start your search. First, reach out to your friends and family members. They may know someone who is hoping to adopt that will be a good match for you and your baby. Once you've done that, you can begin searching online. You can search through hundreds of sites that showcase profiles of hopeful adoptive parents. Make sure the sites you use are free and keep your information private. The third thing you can do to find the perfect adoptive family is to use an adoption agency or other type of adoption professional.
A word of caution, however--before you begin working with a professional or an agency, thoroughly research them. Because adoption is a sensitive subject and experience, it can be easy for others to take advantage of the emotions that naturally accompany such a decision. So, it's best to protect yourself. Work with someone who will be your advocate, watch out for you. Just because you're considering placing your baby with an adoptive family doesn't mean you can't be selective. This decision was about doing what's best for the baby, right? So why would you settle now?
You may find the right family tomorrow or you might come across them a few months from now. No matter how long you search, know that you can make the tough decisions while putting your parental rights to good use. If someone tries to force or pressure you into a decision, walk away from them and never work with them again. This is your decision; remember that. You need to feel good and confident about your decision. Otherwise, it may be harder to emotionally heal and move forward. Protect yourself and your baby by starting on your plan of finding the right adoptive family, but do it on your own terms.
Howdy! We are so happy that you are considering us to be the adoptive parents of your baby. Being a mother and father are the most important things to us, and we are devoted to creating a loving, nurturing home for our children. [more]
We are Molly and Zan. Thank you for taking the time to get to know us, and see how much we love each other and our families. The plan you are making for your child is a very courageous, selfless and loving one. [more]
Welcome to our family: Ron, Elizabeth, & Michael! We are already praying for you as you face very difficult decisions, and we hope the best for you and your child. We value love, education, friends & family, and will include your hopes for this child. [more]
We are a family of two looking for number three! We have so much love to give and can't wait to grow our family through adoption! [more]
The information and links displayed above relate to profile posting services provided on the ParentProfiles.com web site, which is a service of Adoption Profiles, L.L.C., who sponsors this section and is solely responsible for its content.
Pregnancy Blogs from AdoptionBlogs.com
On Health and Well-being
More often then not many women are diagnosed with pregnancy diabetes. With both my son's I was diagnosed with it, the last pregnancy actually requiring medication in order for my blood sugar to be under control. This is a really hard thing for me to think of right now, but I did not take care of myself. [more]
Health Risks of Abortion Vs Childbirth
If you have an unplanned pregnancy and are considering whether to abort or give your baby up for adoption, it is important to know the health risks of each. Being aware of the physical and emotional consequences abortion and childbirth can be helpful in making your decision. [more]
Pregnancy Community, News & Events
Birth Mothers Support - I'm due in a few weeks and the adoptive parents are making me crazy! Help!!
Birthparent Support - Contact with baby's birthfather-after 17 years!
Disappointing Reunions - Has anybody survived failed reunion then had a second chance?
Add your non-marketing adoption related event at no cost. Get started today by registering for an account.
Pregnancy Tip of the Month
Telling the father of your baby that you're pregnant can be stressful. If it's an unplanned pregnancy, discuss and research your options together. It can help keep the situation at a calm level instead of becoming explosive.
In Your Words
Share Your Thoughts with Us
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