Month: July 2019

My birth date is coming up! What should I expect after the adoption?

Every adoption story is unique in itself; nonetheless, there are similar aspects that most—if not all— birth mothers experience. The effects of adoption on the birth mother are far-reaching, but there are a few common effects that those placing their child should expect. Continue reading to learn what effects to expect on the birth mother.

Effects of Adoption on the Birth Mother and How to Deal With Them

There are many effects of adoption on the birth mother. The effects listed in this article a few of the possible effects on birth parents. Nevertheless, the following effects are reported by Child Welfare Information Gateway in their Impact of Adoption on Birth Parents report.

Grief

Without a doubt, grief is one of the most common effects that a birth mother may experience. Deciding to place a child for adoption can be a stressful situation. During that time, the birth mother can create an action plan with their adoption specialist for postpartum. However, nothing can prepare the birth mother for relinquishing their parental duties. Read more to learn how to deal with this normal reaction.

How to Deal With Effect: Grief is a normal effect! Nevertheless, a professional can provide meaningful help. Seek the guidance of a counselor or adoption specialist to deal with separation anxiety or grief.

Guilt and Shame

Because of the stigma of adoption, guilt and shame can be a common effect of adoption on the birth mother. Often, adoptions are presented as a rare event that is shrouded in shame and guilt. In reality, about 135,000 adoptions occur each year. In fact, according to Texas adoption statistics, many adoptive children and families are happy and thriving. All in all, each adoption story is different and presents its unique challenges.

How to Deal With Effect: As said before, the guilt and shame that birthmothers feel are commonly caused by the stigma surrounding adoption. To ease this shame, the birth mother may seek ways to de-stigmatize adoption. Techniques include—but are not limited to—viewing movies about adoption for birth mothers, seeking out adoption success stories, and reading birth mother blogs.

Identity Issues

An unexpected effect of adoption on birth mothers is identity issues. Once a child is adopted, the birth mother must determine how the child fits into their life. In addition, the birth mother must figure out who the child will be in their lives. Even more, the birth mother may encounter further identity issues when interacting with the adoptive family.

How to Deal With Effect: Practices like journaling, support groups and more can ease identity issues. Ultimately, seeking professional help to resolve these feelings can be the most helpful. In this case, a counselor or therapist can work with the birth mother over an extended period to proactively tackle identity issues.

Talk to a Professional

All in all, the effects of adoption on the birth mother are common and can be combatted with the proper knowledge and support. For this reason, Texas Adoption Center and their team of qualified adoption specialists have the appropriate resources to help birth mothers. Texas Adoption Center provides extensive counseling services to its patrons!

Even more, Texas Adoption Center provides financial and medical services. By and large, the Center creates a safe and secure environment for birth mothers and providing the needed postpartum services for them to thrive.

If you are considering adoption, seek the help of Texas Adoption Center to face potential issues head-on. Call 512-983-7943 to begin the adoption process.

Help! I’m pregnant. Should I have an abortion?

If you’re pregnant and don’t want to be, abortion may be on your mind. But, because abortion ends the pregnancy, you may wish to consider all your other options first. That way you can be sure you’re making the best possible decision for your situation. Here are a few things to consider before deciding to get an abortion.

3 Things to Consider Before Committing to an Abortion

Is parenting an option?

Parenting a child is rewarding, but it can also be a huge responsibility. With a strong support system, parenting can be a wonderful option for many expectant mothers. The mother-to-be should consider several factors before making the decision to parent. A few factors to think about might include:

• Can you continue to work while being a new parent?
• Do you have family support and/or support system to help?
• Are you able to afford raising a child?

No single factor may determine the final decision. But, all factors weighed together can help you decide.

Would I consider adoption?

Adoption is an option for women who are not quite ready to commit to parenting or terminating the pregnancy through abortion. The process of placing a baby for adoption can be simple with the right help. For example, adoptions through an adoption agency are handled by knowledgeable adoption specialists. A specialist can walk the expectant mother step-by-step through the process. This step ensures that the expectant mother is aware of the process and can actively participate in every step of the adoption.

Of course, it may be natural for expectant mothers to have questions about whether it is the right decision for them. There are several comforting adoption statistics to help inform you. National Survey of Adoptive Parents (NASP) reports that:

• at least 85% of adopted children are described as being in “excellent” or “very good” health
• at least 81% of adoptive parents surveyed say their relationship with their child is “very close”
• 73% of adopted children are told stories or sung to every day

With this information, you can see why so many expectant mothers choose to place their child for adoption. Even so, the mother-to-be should speak with an adoption specialist to make an informed decision. Keep reading to learn how to contact an adoption specialist.

Should I consider abortion?

As said before, abortion is a choice that many women choose depending on their situation. In fact, in 2014, approximately 19 percent of pregnancies ended in abortion. With this said, it’s not an uncommon decision.

In this case, it is important to contact a professional to speak about the process. Also, it may be valuable for the woman to contact counselors to discuss feelings on the matter. Even more, it may be helpful for the woman to tell their family about the unexpected pregnancy.

Seeking the professional opinion of a doctor or counselor can help you decide. But in the end, this is only a decision that the expectant mother can make.

You Are In Charge

Take charge of your unplanned pregnancy by informing yourself of all options. Texas Adoption Center’s specialists can answer any questions about adoption. They will provide expert advice, nonjudgmental support, and a strong support system.

Give Texas Adoption Center a call at 512.893.7643 or send a text to 361.461.3742 to talk to an adoption specialist and inquire about the adoption process.

Pregnancy is a deeply personal experience for not only the mother but also the father of the child, wondering, “How is my girlfriend pregnant?”

While each situation is unique, unexpected pregnancy is not uncommon. According to a Guttmacher Institute study, nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States were unintended in 2011. There are several options available to expecting parents who aren’t prepared to keep the baby in the grand scheme of things.

So, if you’re one of the many concerned partners asking, “My girlfriend is pregnant. What do I do?” Rest assured because we are going over a few tips to guide you through an unexpected pregnancy.

5 Tips for Partners With Pregnant Girlfriends

Be Attentive

For couples that don’t want to keep the baby, this can be an especially difficult process. Be attentive to one another and communicate your expectations. In the end, it is important to understand each other’s point of view to have a constructive conversation about the options available to you.

Consider All Options

Today, there are a wealth of options available to expectant couples. Common pregnancy options include parenting, adoption and termination. Consult with a professional that can assess your situation and explain every option that applies to your situation. At the end of the day, the more knowledge you have, the more informed your final decision will be. Also, be prepared if the expectant mother chooses the decision that makes the most sense to her.

Tell The Family

While this step is not necessary, a couple may decide to tell the family about an unexpected pregnancy. Couples may tell their families for many reasons, including religious obligations, cultural expectations or to receive emotional support. Whichever the reason, this should be discussed beforehand.

Acknowledge the Present Relationship

As with any relationship, a difficult and emotional event like this can change the dynamics of the relationship. In this case, finding out your girlfriend is pregnant is a defining moment in a relationship. Check-in with your partner frequently and communicate feelings as they come. Ultimately, when thinking, “How did my girlfriend get pregnant?” may leave a relationship frayed. However, with proper communication, it can remain intact.

Discuss a Prevention Plan for Later

Above all, discuss a prevention plan after the fact. Dealing with an unwanted pregnancy is a jarring experience for both parents. To prevent similar occurrences down the line, a proper prevention plan should be discussed. Options include condoms, birth control, abstinence and more. At the end of the day, a pregnancy prevention plan should be established to prevent your girlfriend from becoming pregnant until you are ready for a child.

Consult with the Professional

Don’t deal with this on your own! Consult a professional who can provide you with the information you and your partner need to make an informed decision.

The adoption specialists at Texas Adoption Center have the knowledge and resources to help you decide if adoption is the appropriate decision for you and your partner. Their experience has prepared them to handle various situations, even one where an anxious partner with inquiries like, “My girlfriend is pregnant. What do I do now?”

In a confidential meeting, a specialist will explain the adoption process. They will also assess your unique situation and circumstances to determine if adoption is a viable solution for you. To talk with an adoption specialist, contact Texas Adoption at 844-893-7943.