If you’re a Christian with an unexpected pregnancy, you have many prayerful decisions ahead of you. If you’re thinking about adoption, one big decision you will make is what adoption agency you want to use. It’s understandable if you’re wondering how to make this decision. So, how do you know what to look for in an adoption agency?
What do I need from an adoption agency?
There’s a long list of things that you will need as you walk through the adoption. Of course, as a Christian, the first thing you probably want to do is pray for God’s help as you search for the right adoption agency. He can give you wisdom as you study different agencies. Generally, an adoption agency should provide you with four basic services:
- An adoption professional to work specifically with you to guide you throughout the adoption process
- Help to create an adoption plan that is best for you and your child
- Help and guidance to find an adoptive family
- Providing counseling before and after the adoption
Here are some specifics of each of the four essential services an adoption agency should provide for birth mothers:
Your own dedicated adoption professional to be with you through the entire adoption process
The Adoption Coordinators at Lifetime are qualified and experienced in helping birth mothers walk through the process of adoption. They offer support, guidance, and help. Your adoption coordinator is there for you to call any time of the day or night just to talk or ask questions. As you get to know your Adoption Coordinator, you will build a trusting relationship with her.
Help to create a hospital plan that is best for you
A hospital adoption plan is created by you, the birth mother. It is a detailed plan of what is important to you during labor and delivery. You have many choices, including:
- Are you OK with having the adoptive family in the hospital with you? How about in the delivery room?
- Who will cut the umbilical cord? (Some birth mothers allow one of the adoptive parents to cut it, and others prefer the doctors do this)
- Do you want any friends or family with you?
- Do you want to hold your baby? Do you want your baby in your room or the hospital’s nursery?
- Do you want the adoptive mother to care for the baby after delivery? (Some hospitals allow adoptive families to have a room on the maternity floor to care for their adopted baby.)
- When do you want to leave the hospital? Before or after the adoptive family does?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. You can choose what you think is best for you and the baby. Remember to be totally honest about what you prefer ahead of time so you won’t feel regret later.
Support and guidance through the process of finding an adoptive family
The adoption agency will provide you with profiles of adoptive families or links to adoptive family websites. You can look through these profiles to find the family you think is the best fit for your child.
If you decide to have an open adoption, you will be able to meet the adoptive family you have chosen. This helps you get to know them better and see exactly what kind of life your child will have. Many adoption agencies encourage open adoptions since they allow the birth mother to see their child grow up. Of course, open adoptions look different depending on everyone involved.
As a birth mother, you get the chance to communicate with your child in the future through various ways, including emails, letters, phone calls, and visits. A supportive adoption agency will help you find the right family and help you make an informed decision regarding what type of open adoption you want.
Being there for you when you have questions or needs, including providing counseling before and after the adoption
Part of the services that an adoption agency should provide a birth mother is constant support. They should be ready to answer your questions, provide you with information and offer you counseling throughout the entire adoption process as well as afterward the adoption.
Your adoption agency should be available to you at any time of the day. Lifetime’s adoption professionals are available 24/7. Just call or text Lifetime Christian Adoption at 1-800-923-6784. Placing a baby for adoption is a selfless, difficult decision. Getting counseling can help you through the toughest times and encourage you as you set out on your new life.
Other Tips to Help You Find the Right Adoption Support
Now that you know what to look for in adoption agencies, here are some more practical tips so that you can find the right adoption support for you:
- Ask others about their experience. Talk with other birth mothers about what agency they used and what kind of experience they had.
- Check the adoption agencies’ online reviews. Read their Better Business Bureau rating and search for reviews online to see what other birth mothers say about the agency.
- Call your top-pick adoption agencies and talk with them on the phone to learn about what they provide.
- Ask your friends, family, and pastor to pray for you as you start this journey. You are not alone, God is always with you, and He will guide you through the journey of what to look for in adoption agencies and choose the best one for you and your child.
Lifetime Adoption works nationally to provide services to expectant mothers and adoptive families across all 50 states. Lifetime is licensed and regulated in several states to ensure we operate legally and ethically. Because we work across the country, Lifetime can offer more adoptive families for you to choose from, more adoption services, and more.
Christian adoption agencies like Lifetime Christian Adoption seek to help birth mothers walk through the entire process of adoption. Our dedicated adoption coordinators are ready to talk with you. Give us a call or text us today at
1-800-923-6784.
As the Vice President (VP) of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
