Open or Closed Adoption in Missouri
As you consider building your family through adoption, you might be curious about open vs. closed adoption in Missouri.
Throughout the adoption process, you’ll have to make a lot of decisions, including whether you feel an open or closed adoption in Missouri is right for you and your family.
There are both pros and cons when it comes to open and closed adoption in Missouri, so it’s important to carefully consider all of your options during this time.
You can keep reading to learn more about open or closed adoption in Missouri or reach out to our team at 1-800-ADOPTION today to speak with us about your options.
Steps of Adoption [Open vs. Closed Adoption in Missouri]
When it comes to open adoption vs. closed adoption in Missouri, it’s important to understand the steps of adoption and how your desire for closed vs open adoption in Missouri can impact your adoption experience.
A few of your adoption steps, such as completing your home study and creating a waiting family profile, will be the same regardless of whether you opt for open adoption vs closed in Missouri.
Some of your adoption steps will be very different depending on what you choose.
Here’s what you need to know.
Meeting Your Child’s Birth Mother
When it comes to the types of adoption open and closed in Missouri, one of the biggest differences is with the way you’ll communicate with your child’s birth mother.
With open adoption, you and your child’s birth mother may be able to talk or even meet in person prior to your child being born. Some adoptive parents attend doctor’s appointments with their baby’s birth mother. In some cases, you may even be able to be present for the birth.
With a closed adoption, this generally is not a possibility due to privacy.
Placement
For many adoptive families, placement is one of the most exciting parts of the adoption process. After all, this is when you’ll meet your baby, and they will be placed in your arms.
The way that placement works may vary depending on whether you pursue open vs. closed adoption in Missouri.
With an adoption open in Missouri, your child’s birth mother may place your child directly in your arms. For many adoptive families, this is a very special and symbolic moment that they will cherish forever.
With closed adoption, your child’s birth mother may prefer to have your child placed in your arms by a social worker, especially if the birth mother does not want to meet face-to-face.
Post-Placement Communication
One major difference between closed and open adoption in Missouri is what happens after the adoption is finalized.
When you have an adoption open in Missouri, you will keep in touch with your child’s birth parents. You’ll send cards and letters. You’ll email or call them. You will likely have in-person visits sometimes, as well. This type of adoption means that your child will have the chance to get to know everyone involved in their adoption.
As you consider closed adoption vs. open adoption in Missouri, it’s also important to realize that if you have a closed adoption, your child will not have the opportunity to get to know their birth parents as they grow up. This can be very difficult for adoptees to deal with, as they will likely have a lot of questions about their birth parents.
Open vs. Closed Adoption in Missouri: Who Decides?
As you prepare for adoption, you might be wondering who gets the final say when it comes to closed adoption vs. open adoption in Missouri.
While each adoptive parent should be prepared for the possibility and likelihood of an open adoption, the final decision is up to the birth mother and what they feel is best for them.
While open adoption has many benefits, some birth mothers feel that a closed adoption would be best for their current situation.
This is their choice and should be respected by everyone involved.
Birth mothers may choose closed adoption for different reasons, including wanting privacy. Other birth mothers may be in an unsafe situation and not want anyone to know about their baby. Both of these reasons are completely valid.
If your child’s birth mother considers closed adoption vs. open adoption in Missouri and opts for open adoption, it’s vital that you respect this, too.
Take the time to send your child’s birth mother letters, cards and emails, so they never have to worry about how their child is doing – they’ll know.
Communicating with your child’s birth mother after placement is one of the greatest gifts you can offer your child’s birth mother since this communication allows them to watch their child grow up.
Preparing for Adoption
If you’ve been considering closed adoption vs. open adoption in Missouri and you’re ready to take the next steps and start the adoption process, call us at 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our online contact form so we can help you get started.
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