In today’s culture, multiple options exist for unwanted pregnancies. Most of them put the woman’s convenience foremost in the decision.
But what about the baby? What about adoption? Let’s take a look at Hailey’s story…
“When I was 21, I found out I was pregnant. It was a real shock to me, and I didn’t know what I should do. As a Christian, I believed God would help me, but I never planned to end up in this situation. When I told my boyfriend I was pregnant, he immediately broke up with me and refused to talk to me again.
My parents wanted me to get an abortion, but as a Christian, I didn’t feel like that was something I wanted to do. At the time, I was in college, and my friends from church kept me strong on the hardest days during those first few months. I felt God was there with me, helping me make it through each day.
Thinking About Adoption
Before the pregnancy, I had many things I wanted to do with my life, like starting a business and traveling overseas. As I thought about where I was in life, I knew I wasn’t ready to raise a baby on my own. Placing the child for adoption looked like the best choice for me.
I talked to my pastors about it, and they encouraged me to reach out to an adoption agency to get more information about adoption. The adoption agency staff at Lifetime was really helpful. My Adoption Coordinator answered all my questions and gave me information. We talked for a long time, and I felt like God was leading me to choose adoption.
Open Adoption
I decided to place my baby in open adoption because I wanted to stay in contact. The open adoption gave me the ability to choose the adoptive family I thought was best.
I wanted a loving home for my baby with parents who were strong Christians. I knew they could give my baby everything I felt was important.
Choosing Adoptive Parents
Through Lifetime, I was able to choose from hundreds of hopeful adoptive parents. I looked through their online profiles, searching for just the right couple. After I picked a family, I met with them. I was nervous at first, but my Adoption Coordinator joined our first phone call to help things along. I had plenty of questions to ask the adoptive family, and my coordinator made sure I was able to ask them all. The adoptive family was friendly, and they were so excited to talk to me about adopting my baby.
After a couple of meetings, we both agreed that we felt God was leading them to be the adoptive parents of my baby. They were also eager to have an open adoption, and I felt comfortable knowing I could stay connected with them and my baby for years to come. I was happy to be choosing life for my baby.
Delivery Day
The open adoption allowed me to make an adoption hospital plan, and choose who I wanted to be at the hospital when my baby was born. I decided not to have the adoptive family involved in the delivery of my baby. In the end, I had my mom with me during the delivery.
Afterward, I held my little girl for a few minutes, and then my mom held her so we could have some time alone with her to say goodbye. It was pretty emotional for both my mom and me, but I still knew I was making the right choice. Before I left the hospital the next day, the adoptive family came to hold her and care for her.
Adoption Was Right for Me
I know adoption was the right choice for me. I knew I wasn’t ready to be a mom, and I would never have been able to provide for her. But, choosing life and adoption allowed me the chance to do the things I planned, like finish college, start a business, and travel.
Today, I visit with my little girl whenever I can. I get updates from her adoptive parents monthly, and we get together over the holidays. The adoptive couple is sweet to me and tells me all the time how grateful they are that I chose them to raise my daughter. I feel like choosing them was the best thing for her and me.
Looking back over the past few years, I see how God led me every step of the way. Being in an unwanted pregnancy wasn’t something I ever thought I’d experience, but despite that, God helped me get through. I’m so glad I chose life and adoption. It was the best choice for my daughter and me.
If you’re dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, I encourage you to choose to consider adoption as an option for you and your baby.”
Learn about the adoption process by calling or texting
Lifetime Adoption at 1-800-923-6784.
Lifetime Adoption 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.
