While Considering Adoption

A woman may have many questions about adoption. Although the decision to place a child for adoption is a very personal one, talking about her feelings, questions, and concerns can be empowering. Keep in mind, women have time to gather information, talk to knowledgeable people and think everything over. A woman needs to not feel rushed or pressured to make a quick decision.

The Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic has staff available to answer questions and provide resources that will help in the decision-making process. Call (360) 671-9057 or stop in during office hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm.

She may also wish to hear other women’s stories about creating adoption plans and the choice they made to place for adoption. Most adoption agencies can arrange for this information, or may have DVD’s of women telling their stories. The public library may have these types of resources and books about adoption as well.

Making a choice about an unplanned pregnancy is difficult, and a woman may feel stressed and tired. As she takes the time to learn more about adoption, here are a few ideas of how she can care for herself emotionally:

• Make a pros and cons list.
• What are some of the positive aspects of placing a child for adoption?
• What would be the difficult aspects of adoption?
• Write in a daily journal. Jotting down thoughts and feelings, writing poems or songs, or even doodling will clarify a woman’s feelings. At the end of the week she can review and reflect on her entries.
• Make a blanket or quilt. If she likes to sew, a woman could choose the same fabric or pattern and make a blanket for herself and one for her baby. If she chooses adoption, she will have a keepsake to remind her that she is always connected to her child.
• Stay physically healthy! Eat balanced nutritious meals and get regular exercise.
• Set goals. Make a list of goals to accomplish over the next year, 5 years, and 10 years.
• How will adoption help her reach these goals?
• How could she reach these goals while parenting?
• Write to her child. Whether a woman has already made the decision to place the child for adoption, or she is still weighing the options, writing a letter to her child is a wonderful way to document her feelings. She may or may not choose to ever share the letter with her child.