top

close menu

Idolene's Adoption Story

So it all started out six months into to pregnancy. I had regular menstrual cycles, no movement from baby, and not a lot of weight gain. All in all I didn't know I was pregnant. When I felt little Barrett kick for the first time, I was in shock and disbelief. So I called the doctor and set up an appointment, and that's when the doctor conformed indeed I was pregnant.

After finding out I went to my mother and spoke with her. At that time she told me I had three choices; to keep him, Give him up, or Abort. Well, I knew at that time keeping him and aborting him were out of the question. So that's when I decided to give him up for adoption. Not telling anyone about the baby, I decided to leave the state and stay with some family to make it a little easier. It was a lot harder pregnancy after that- Crazy emotions, crazy thought and the hardest thing to deal with is putting my child up for adoption. I had no means to support little Barrett. I could barley take care of myself as I was still a child myself, at the time.

I found the perfect adoptive parents not to long after moving down to the states. Clint and Adrienne, they had everything I wanted to give Barrett but could not do it myself. They had stability, careers, a home, no struggling to make ends meet and of course all the love in the world.

After a long wait, on July 9th, 2007 the doctors decided to induce me. Unfortunately there was a complication with the induction, mine and Barrett's heart rates were dropping and an emergency C-section was preformed. I will never forget his cry and my aunt looking over at me and telling me how beautiful he is!

So it was Barrett and I in the hospital for five days. During that time I struggled between wanting to keep him and doing the right thing, continuing with my adoption plan. It was nerve racking being able to feed him and care him, and know that the time was growing near to a final decision. The night before I had to make my final decision Clint and Adrianne wrote me a letter expressing their thoughts and feeling about everything. At that moment I looked at Barrett and told him we would meet again soon, but for now you need to go with your family. The next day at noon, it came time to sign papers and get things on the roll so my aunt and uncle stood by me for support and for witnesses. I held Barrett in my arms and signed my name on the last line. After that they took him to the nursery and I left my room in a wheelchair. At the exit Clint and Adrianna were there to send me off. I flew back to Alaska soon after that to recover with my more immediate family. I got a job working for REI, started counseling, and most importantly kept in contact with the family, since we had an open adoption. Now I am on way to gaining a career of my dreams and succeeding in anything I put my mind to. Barrett is doing wonderful. He is walking, talking, smiling, and being just the greatest little character out there.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

Request Free Information

View Waiting Families
Want to speak to someone who has chosen adoption?
Meet Michelle — A Proud Birth Mom
Ask an Adoption Question
View More Waiting Familes
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.

Read More

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.

Read More