Many women find themselves struggling to cope with life after continuing an unplanned pregnancy.
The truth is, you have options, and you can still choose a loving, stable future for your child and get support to move forward with your own life through adoption.
This is not about failure; it’s about making a deliberate choice for your future. Connect with a caring, non-judgmental adoption specialist right now to explore your options.
I Regret Keeping My Pregnancy: You Are Not Alone
This is a heartbreaking, deeply personal thought many mothers experience. You might have missed the legal window for an abortion in your state, or maybe you struggled with the decision and simply ran out of time.
For some women, the decision to continue the pregnancy was influenced by a temporary sense of hope that quickly faded once the reality of parenthood set in.
Regret often stems from circumstances that have become unmanageable and are outside of your control, such as:
- Unanticipated financial devastation.
- Severe, prolonged postpartum depression or anxiety.
- The sudden departure of a partner or lack of reliable support.
- The realization that your child needs a level of stability and opportunity that is currently out of reach for you.
Whether you’re 8 months pregnant or your baby is two months old, we want you to know your feelings are valid, and seeking support is a sign of strength.
Adoption is Still an Option if You Regret Keeping Your Pregnancy
The power in this moment is knowing that adoption remains a loving, available option for you, regardless of how far along you are.
When considering adoption, you are in control of the entire process, whether you are early in your pregnancy or even after your baby has been born.
Choosing adoption is not a last resort. It is a thoughtful solution where you decide what the rest of your child’s life looks like, and what the rest of your life looks like, too.
How to Cope with Postpartum Regret and Shame
You’re not alone in how you’re feeling, and there are reasons why you might feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure about your current situation. These are heavy emotions, and carrying them alone can be isolating and overwhelming.
Our agency offers free, 24/7 counseling to every woman considering adoption.
This support is completely confidential, available to you whether you choose adoption or not, and focused purely on helping you process your feelings and make the best choice for yourself and your child.
Steps you can take today to begin coping:
- Acknowledge the Pain: Name the feelings of regret, isolation, or sadness without judgment. It is okay to be honest about your limits.
- Reach Out: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or one of our counselors. Sharing the burden immediately lessens its weight.
- Prioritize Basic Needs: Try to secure basic necessities like enough sleep, nutritious food, and small moments of rest whenever possible. Stress relief is crucial for clarity.
- Explore Options: By researching options like adoption, you are taking back control of your future, which is a powerful way to combat feelings of being trapped.
What Is Private Adoption and How Does It Work?
Choosing private adoption through American Adoptions means putting your needs and your baby’s best interests at the center of the plan. The process is straightforward, confidential, and moves at your pace.
Step 1: Reach Out to An Adoption Specialist
This is the first step. You connect with one of our specialized adoption counselors, who offers free, objective information and emotional support without pressure. They will be your guide and a source of constant support.
Ready to take control? Contact us now to start your free, confidential conversation.
Step 2: Create an Adoption Plan
You’ll work with your specialist to determine everything: the amount of contact you want with the adoptive family, the type of family you’re looking for, and your hospital plan. Your plan is entirely yours.
Step 3: Choosing a Family
You gain access to extensive profiles of waiting, screened families who are ready to love and provide for your child.
You select the family, and you can get to know them before placement. You can start browsing family profiles right now.
Step 4: Receive Financial Support
State laws allow expectant mothers to receive financial assistance for living and medical expenses related to the pregnancy and adoption. This can cover rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and medical costs.
Step 5: Birth and Beyond
You have the option to maintain a relationship with your child and the adoptive family through an open adoption, ensuring you never have to wonder about your child’s well-being.
I Chose to Parent But Now I Regret Keeping My Baby
It is incredibly common for mothers who initially chose to parent to struggle, especially after several months when the initial “baby blues” turn into prolonged financial or emotional stress.
When you work with us, your adoption specialist can help you create an adoption plan for your baby even if they are several months or up to 2 or 3 years old.
The process is similar to a prenatal adoption, but it moves quickly because many of the initial medical and legal steps are complete.
We handle the necessary counseling, legal paperwork, and placement, ensuring you are supported at every turn without being rushed into a decision.
What to Expect When Choosing Adoption After Birth
If you choose adoption for an older infant or toddler, the process follows the same steps outlined above, but with a few key differences:
- Faster Timeline: Since your baby is already born, the placement can often happen sooner, reducing the time you spend in limbo.
- The Same Control: You still create the adoption plan, choose the adoptive family, and decide on the level of openness. The fact that the baby is already here does not mean you lose control over the process or the decision.
- Counseling: The decision to place an older baby requires immense strength. We provide free, 24/7 counseling to help you process the grief and feel confident in your choice, ensuring it is the best possible path for everyone involved.
You can be certain that every family you view has been thoroughly screened and is ready to provide your child with a life of opportunity and unconditional love.
Adoption is a Loving, Empowered Choice for Your Baby
Choosing adoption gives you the power to direct your baby’s future. It allows you to select a loving family who has met rigorous standards (including a detailed home study) and can provide the life you dream of for your child.
When you choose adoption, you are not giving up; you are creating opportunity by giving your child a life of security, financial stability, and access to resources that might currently be out of reach.
You are also regaining your life, redirecting your energy back into your own goals.
Adoption is a strength-based solution that benefits both you and your child.
Staying Connected: What Open Adoption Really Looks Looks Like
When you make the selfless decision to choose adoption, you do not have to lose contact with your baby. Open adoption directly addresses this fear, giving you the power to define the level of ongoing contact that works best for you and your child.
“Open” doesn’t mean co-parenting; it means maintaining a relationship tailored to your comfort level. This can include:
- Photo and Letter Updates: Receiving ongoing letters, photos, and milestones from the adoptive family throughout your child’s life.
- Scheduled Visits: Arranging annual or semi-annual in-person visits to see your child and the family.
- Digital Communication: Communicating directly with the adoptive family via email, phone calls, or video chat.
You choose a family who is excited about an open relationship, ensuring you can always know that your child is happy, healthy, and loved.
How We Support Expectant Mothers Who Choose Adoption
At American Adoptions, our services are designed to support and empower you throughout this difficult time:
- Financial support that can be used to cover living expenses, legal fees and medical costs depending on your state’s laws.
- 24/7 Counseling and emotional support for postpartum recovery and long-term mental health.
- Professional guidance for finding vetted and waiting adoptive families.
- Postpartum support resources and assistance.
You don’t have to face this alone. Reach out to us today to connect with a caring adoption specialist who is ready to listen without judgment and find a solution that’s right for you.
