What is open adoption in North Dakota?

The open adoption definition describes an adoption relationship that involves a child’s birth parents and adoptive parents exchanging identifying information and maintaining contact to develop a relationship that lasts for the rest of their lives. By exchanging identifying information like last names, phone numbers and addresses — which is only done in an open adoption — this allows birth parents and adoptive parents to directly contact each other without the help of an adoption professional.

If you feel that you’d like to remain in contact with your child and his or her adoptive family, your adoption specialist can help you to begin an open adoption in North Dakota. In the beginning, he or she will help you to develop the relationship — whether that happens via emails, letters, phone calls, in-person meetings or other contact. The more comfortable you become with the adoptive parents you’ve chosen, the less the adoption professional’s help will be necessary. Eventually, you can begin to interact with them and develop your relationship on your own!

What is semi-open adoption in North Dakota?

The semi-open adoption definition describes an adoption relationship that involves a child’s birth parents and adoptive parents exchanging limited updates with the help of an adoption specialist as a mediator. In a semi-open adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents do not exchange identifying information or directly contact each other without an adoption professional’s involvement. In some cases, this is also referred to as a mediated adoption.

Many women feel that semi-open adoptions in North Dakota are ideal, because they allow you to have the reassurance of knowing your baby is happy and healthy while still providing a sense of closure after placement occurs. If you're interested in semi-open adoption, your adoption specialist will explain what this looks like and what your options are moving forward.

What is closed adoption in North Dakota?

The closed adoption definition describes an adoption relationship that involves absolutely no contact between a child’s birth parents and adoptive parents after placement. If you opt to have a closed adoption, you will not receive any updates about your child after placing him or her with an adoptive family, whether through an adoption professional or otherwise. This is the least common type of adoption, mostly because women today value the ability to make sure their children are living happy, healthy lives.

However, every adoption situation is different. If for any reason you feel like a closed adoption in North Dakota may be best for you — whether that’s to move forward with your life or due to something else — your adoption specialist will explain your options to you. You can even still choose your child’s adoptive family with American Adoptions if you wish to have a closed relationship.

Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption in North Dakota

Because North Dakota open adoption and closed adoption relationships are so different, it can be hard to compare them. Where the differences really matter, though, are in terms of the benefits that at least some degree of communication brings to the entire adoptive triad — birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children alike. The following are a few extremely important positives that come with an open adoption in North Dakota:

• You get the ability to explain your adoption decision to your child in your own words. Your child will never have to wonder why you chose adoption or whether or not you loved them, because you’ll be able to tell them in your own words exactly how much love led you to this decision.

• You get to develop a relationship with your child’s adoptive parents. Your child’s adoptive parents will become family to you as well. Not only will you be able to feel reassured that you have chosen the right people to raise your child, but you’ll get to develop a relationship with your child’s entire adoptive family in the process.

• You get to watch your baby grow up happy, healthy and safe. You won’t have to wonder how your child is doing, because you’ll have access to updates that ensure you he or she is thriving. You’ll get to watch your child get every opportunity they deserve and grow up in a safe, loving home, all because you made the selfless decision to choose adoption.

• Your child’s adoptive parents will have access to you in the event of medical emergencies. It may seem like most benefits of open adoption only apply to the birth parents and the adopted child, but this isn’t the case at all. For adoptive parents, having access to you can be invaluable in instances where a biological parent’s medical and family history is necessary. Plus, they want to get to know you, too!

To learn more about open adoption in North Dakota and whether or not it’s right for you, contact American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION. 

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