If you are a pregnant teen, giving your baby up for adoption may be a difficult decision, but it may just feel right. Thousands of couples are unable to conceive and need women like you to make the decision. Still, pregnancy is difficult, and adoption is not without its drawbacks. Carefully consider all your options before moving forward.
Significance
Nearly two-thirds of the young women who become pregnant under age 18 and more than one-half of the young women pregnant between ages 18 and 19 are facing unwanted pregnancies. Approximately 4 percent of these decide to give their child up for adoption. Adoption allows infertile couples to become parents.
Types
The two main types of adoption are an open adoption, where you maintain contact with the child and the adoptive parents, and a closed adoption, where you maintain your anonymity. In a semi-open adoption, the birth and adoptive parents know some information about each other, but maintain contact through a third party, such as the adoption agency. Many adoptions go through private agencies, and some will allow you to choose the adoptive parents.
Benefits
If you feel that abortion is morally wrong, but you are not able to raise your child on your own, adoption presents a alternative. Infertile couples must often wait several years before their name comes up, and they are able to adopt a child. Usually, this means that your baby is very wanted in their home, and they can provide your child opportunities that you may not be able to provide.
Effects
As you go through your pregnancy, you’ll develop a bond with your baby, even though you want to give her up for adoption. After signing the papers, you may feel depressed–counseling can help you work through your emotions. Though you may know that it was the best decision for your child, you will still feel a sense of loss.
Considerations
You may want to stay in contact with your child and his adoptive parents, but as the child grows, he may not want to stay in contact with you. Once you’ve given your child up for adoption, you have signed over all rights, and you should respect the wishes of the child and the adoptive parents.
Photo Credit
- birth of a baby image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com
