Personal Adoption Story

Angela's Adoption Story

I had just turned thirty when I found out I was pregnant. I was already a single parent with three kids at home and about to have my sixth kid and I was scared. I knew I would not be physically, emotionally, or financially able to support yet another child. So I started searching the web for other options and I found American Adoptions. I got a wonderful caseworker who was able to understand my thoughts and feelings and who didnt judge me for choosing to place my daughter up for adoption.

I had several problems finding the right family when I started looking through profiles. For one reason or another, it just never worked out. I think it was my fourth or fifth choice that finally was the charm. And my adoptive couple were wonderful; they really were.

It was very nerve-wracking meeting my adoptive couple, but they lived fairly close; only six hours away, and I invited them to come to my hometown for several doctor's appointments. They came here and stayed in hotels while they were here; going to three or four appoinments with me.

When it came close to my due date; which was in July of 2003, the adoptive parents came here and stayed in a hotel totalling a duration of three weeks or so. I was alone in my home with my other three kids and had to find someone to take them while I went to the hospital. I drove myself to the hospital and tried for several hours to get in touch with the adoptive parents. I couldn't reach them at their hotel room phone or reach my adoption caseworker. I was afraid that they had come all the way to town and spent all this time here only to miss the birth of their child. Luckily, I had not delivered by the next morning and called the hotel front desk and the adoptive parents were able to make it to the hospital on time. This was very much their baby from the beginning; from the minute I chose them, I began to think of them as my baby's parents. They were in the delivery room the whole time I was in labor, and he got to cut the cord and she got to hold the baby skin-to-skin; even before I was able to see her.

Even to this day; almost a year later, I am still in contact with my adoptive parents through e-mail a couple times a month. I had such a strong support system throughout this whole decision; even my kids were able to help me through this that I still feel to this day that I made the right decision. I still love my baby, but I know that she will always have a better life with someone who can take better care of her than I could have.

(The best times to contact me are on Saturday or Sunday any time or after 5 during the week. I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and I would be very willing to meet with anyone in this area if you would like me to. I'm very happy with my whole adoption process.) My email address is hardly_charmed@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Angela