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Katherine's Adoption Story

The summer of 2008, as a single parent of four beautiful teenage children, I found myself in a devastating position…pregnant. I was ashamed and scared. I didn’t know what I was going to do or how I would make it through. I called the father of the baby. He felt very strongly that abortion was our only way. He was not ready to raise a child with me. After failing to make the first abortion appointment and at the insistence of the baby’s father, I made a second one. Sadness overwhelmed me and I felt I could tell no one. I heard an ad for adoption on the radio. The next day one of my clients told of their adult children’s wonderful new baby they adopted. She told me how they had waited for 13 years and how happy they were. I had a co-worker confide in me her abortion story and after years she still mourns and wishes she would have chosen life for her baby girl. The next week I had a new client actually bring her newly adopted 7 month old baby boy to her hour long massage appointment. He was the happiest and most content baby I have ever met. But what captured me the most was the way he looked at his mother, he knew her, he loved her, he trusted her! I had my answer, Adoption! I wanted to give my little baby life. I wanted what was best for this precious life and for my four teenage children. The first adoption agency did not work out. I knew of a couple in my Sunday school class who had adopted two children. They gladly shared their stories and gave me the name of American Adoptions. What an encouragement this adoptive couple was and still is to me. American Adoptions was very easy to work with. The paperwork was understandable and everything I was told was true. Lizzie was my adoption specialist and I am thankful for all the work she did. I am also thankful for the help and encouragement she gave me. Meanwhile my baby was growing and moving and I loved him.

Picking parents was difficult and emotional. My children and I spent hours reading and discussing. To make my long story a little shorter we picked Todd and Jackie. I spoke with them on the phone and they were the right match. It was now the end of March 2009. My due date was May 1st and I usually deliver early. April 18th , 2009 at 1am my water broke. At 2am I called my friend Shelby, then the midwives, then Todd and Jackie. By 3am I had had only a few contractions but knew it was time. Samuel was born at 4:16am. He was a beautiful, perfect, very healthy baby boy! Todd and Jackie arrived safely. My children and I welcomed them into our home. The more we spent time together the more we liked them. For four beautiful blessed days I held and nursed Samuel; so much sadness and happiness all at the same time.

The day of court, as I knew it would be, was extremely hard. I kissed and hugged Samuel one more time and told him I loved him one more time. Todd and Jackie came into the court room and I handed them their new baby boy. They thanked me and promised again to keep in touch and send pictures to me. Samuel is three months old now and looks so cute, happy and healthy in the pictures that they send. I am thankful for the wonderful parents that Todd and Jackie are. I will always and forever hold Samuel in my heart. I am looking forward to the day we will meet again.

I thank God first and foremost. I thank my best friend, Shelby, my adoption worker Lizzie, my friends, Matt and Angie (the adoptive parents) for all of their help and support. Without them I don’t know how I would have made it through.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

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Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

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