How Adoption Counselors Can Help You

Having a baby is a major life event, and if it is one you aren’t prepared for, it can be scary. For women facing an unplanned pregnancy, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and not know who to turn to for support. That is where adoption counselors can help.

Adoption counselors are there to help you think through all the factors you need to weigh as you decide what is best for you, and your baby. Some questions adoption counselors can help you consider and guide you through answering for yourself include:

Am I emotionally ready to be a parent?

Making the decision to raise a child is not a decision to be taken lightly. A child is a life-time commitment, and if it’s one you know you aren’t able to make, for whatever reason, it can be comforting to know that there are loving families out there who would be very happy to give your child a loving home.

Do I have a good support system in place?

You may have heard the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Essentially this means that it’s not just the parents that care for, teach and raise a child, it’s all the people in the parents immediate circle, and in the community who help. If you don’t feel that you have a healthy support system in place and people you know you can count on to help when you need it, then parenting at this time in your life may not be the right choice for you, at least right now.

Can I afford to take care of my child?

Babies need diapers, formula, clothing, a crib, blankets, visits to the doctor, and so on. Raising a child is expensive to say the least! If you are not in a financially stable situation, the added cost of a baby could simply be more than you feel you can handle.

By working with an adoption counselor, you can begin talking through all of these issues, as well as any other worries and you may have. You tell the adoption counselor how you are feeling and what your questions and concerns are, and it is their job to help guide you in the decision-making process. An adoption counselor will never pressure you into placing your baby for adoption – that’s a decision only YOU can make. It’s their job simply to listen, give advice and make recommendations based on your unique situation.

Should you decide that adoption might be the best option for you, adoption counselors can help make arrangements to ensure that your medical needs are met, you have somewhere to live and can pay your bills and afford groceries. They will also work with you to learn more about the kind of family you would like for your child, and provide profiles for you to look at, as well as discuss the type of adoption you would like: open, semi-open or closed.

Deciding whether or not adoption is right for you and your baby is a big decision, and one you should not have to make on your own. Working with adoption counselors like the ones at Birthmother’s Choice will provide you with the support you need during an emotionally difficult time so you can feel confident that the decision you ultimately make is the right one for you – and your baby.