top

close menu

Advantages of Adoption for Pregnant Women

How Adoption Benefits Everyone Involved

Adoption is a beautiful decision because it can change your whole life, the life of your baby, and the lives of two hopeful parents. If you have decided that adoption is right for you, the advantages of adoption can be significant. When you make the call to begin your adoption, just a few of the advantages you will have are:

  • Adoption allows you to continue working toward your personal goals

  • Most modern adoptions are open, allowing you to remain an important part of your child’s life

  • There is no financial cost to you throughout your adoption

Those who work at American Adoptions and other adoption agencies are able to see the advantages of adoption for themselves every day. But women facing an unplanned pregnancy are often unaware of these adoption advantages — at least at first.

Before going any further, you should know that you can call the American Adoptions hotline 24/7 to speak with an adoption specialist about your situation and get emotional support and guidance. You may be feeling a lot of anxiety or fear, and that makes it difficult to see the advantages of adoption. We’re here to help.

Even though things may seem difficult right now, there are real adoption advantages for pregnant women, the children they place for adoption and the adoptive families who are grateful for the opportunity to become parents. To get more information about the advantages of adoption for pregnant women, reach out to an adoption professional today or call 1-800-ADOPTION.

Advantages of Adoption for Women

An unplanned pregnancy may halt a woman’s education, career and other goals she wants to accomplish before raising a child. To make things more complicated, she may not have the finances necessary to care for a child or a partner to help raise the child. Many women can’t imagine getting an abortion, but they also know they aren’t ready to become a parent at this point in their lives.

By choosing adoption, a woman can have a chance at receiving her education, beginning or continuing her career, or even getting married, all while ensuring that her child will be raised by loving parents. For most women, knowing that their child is safe and happy is the most important advantage to adoption of all.

A 1998 study reported that unwed mothers who chose adoption had more success later in life than women who chose to be single parents. Women who chose adoption:

  • Were more likely to finish school

  • Were less likely to live in poverty and receive public assistance

  • Were more likely to marry and less likely to divorce

  • Were more likely to delay marriage and other children

  • Were more likely to be employed a year after the baby was born

  • Were less likely to be pregnant again out-of-wedlock

“Ten years later, and I am now going to school to begin my career as a Medical Practice Manager, and I honestly don’t think I would be in this place if it wasn’t for the support I received from American Adoptions,” said Brittnee, a birth mother who chose adoption for her baby. “Finding them has changed my life, and the life of that 5 lb. 6 oz. little girl I delivered that day.”

If you are considering adoption, one of the biggest advantages to adoption is the ability to still be a part of your child’s life. Open adoption allows birth mothers the opportunity to stay in contact with the adoptive family and their child through pictures, letters, emails, phone calls, visits and more. Today, more than 90 percent of domestic infant adoptions are at least semi-open.

“Today, my son is almost 2 years old. He is a proud big brother to a beautiful little girl. His adoptive mom and dad became pregnant four months after adopting him!” said Kelly. “We are in constant contact, sharing emails, pictures, cards, and we even Skype. I got to share his first Christmas with him last year.”This concept may seem scary at first, but after a little research, it is clear that this is one of the advantages of adoption. Open adoption can be beneficial to you, the adoptive parents and child. As a potential birth mother, you’ll be able to see firsthand that your child is happy, and you can help reassure him or her that you chose adoption out of love.

Advantages of Adoption for Children

  • The chance to grow up in a safe, loving home

  • A life full of opportunity

  • The knowledge that both an adoptive family and birth mother love you

Children who were adopted can experience the advantages of adoption every day. Your child will have the chance to grow up in a loving family of your choice, and he or she will have opportunities and resources that you might not be able to provide at this stage of your life.

“I chose a family who will give everything that I’m unable to give right now, along with all of the love and support I could ever want for him,” said Abigail, a grateful birth mother.

Growing up in a two-parent home with parents who have been ready to raise a child for years greatly increases the possibility that your child will have a wonderful childhood full of opportunities. Research continues to show that children who were adopted grow up as well adjusted as their peers, especially when they have continued healthy contact with their birth parents.

It’s common for expectant mothers considering adoption to worry about what their child will think of them one day. As each child grows up and begins to form their own self-identity, they’ll have questions about adoption. Because adoption is more open today, there is a better chance that, as a birth mother, you can answer those questions directly. Because of this, you and the adoptive parents can help a child build a positive perspective of adoption. As this happens, a child can come to understand that adoption was chosen out of love. They can know that they are loved not only by their adoptive family, but also by their birth mother.

Advantages of Adoption for Adoptive Families

  • Fulfilling their dreams of becoming a parent

  • Developing a meaningful relationship with a potential birth mother

  • A lifelong journey with a child

Hopeful parents come to adoption for several different reasons. It’s estimated that more than 10 percent of families face infertility issues. Many spend years and thousands of dollars seeking unsuccessful infertility treatments, which can be a source of significant pain and grief. Other parents may seek adoption because they believe it is the right choice for their family. Increasingly, LGTBQ couples are choosing adoption as a way to fulfill their dream of becoming parents.

“They are a very wonderful couple and now a very happy family. I am proud to have given them the gift of life they always wanted,” said Katie, a birth mom who gave a waiting couple the gift of a family through adoption.

Whatever the reason is for choosing adoption, the first obvious adoption advantage is the chance to become parents. Parenthood is a unique joy because it is also a challenge. You appreciate it more because of the hard work it takes. And no matter how hard it may seem, it’s always worth it.

As an expectant mother, understanding the advantages of adoption for adoptive families can help you see how much a family is going to love your baby. The road most families take to adoption isn’t easy. The chance to love a child is their dream, and the opportunity to adopt your baby is what they have been waiting for.

You can find out more about the advantages of adoption with American Adoptions by calling one of our adoption specialists today at 1-800-ADOPTION, or get free adoption information.

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