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"Happy, Healthy and Well-Loved" - How Erin Gave Her Baby the Best Life

Erin is a brave birth mother who chose adoption to give her baby a life full of love and opportunities. If you feel inspired by her story, contact us today or call 1-800-ADOPTION to get free information about the adoption process. 

As soon as I knew I was pregnant, I knew I wasn't in a position to give my baby the life they deserved. I contacted American Adoptions, and after I filled out some paperwork, they began to send me information about potential families.

My boyfriend and I decided on important qualities and keywords, and our search became much more specific. We had a small pile of "maybes," but as soon as I read about Adam and Suzanne, I knew they would be the perfect parents for my child. They seemed like a combination of all the best aspects of my boyfriend's family and my family. I wanted to contact them right away, but we still hadn't told our parents yet that I was pregnant.

I drove home for the weekend and gave my father some surprising news for his birthday, but both our parents were very loving and supportive of my decision. After we told our parents, I was ready to tell Adam and Suzanne that they could expect a beautiful baby girl in six short months. They were overjoyed, and we slowly got to know one another over email and phone calls.

I wanted to meet Adam and Suzanne prior to the birth, so they flew to Pensacola about three months before the baby was due. We spent the weekend talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. They were able to attend a doctor's appointment with me on Monday before their flight left, and it was wonderful to see how emotional both Adam and Suzanne became upon hearing her heartbeat for the first time and watching her squirm on the monitor. After we said very tearful goodbyes, I knew they were the parents I wanted for my child, and I felt very comfortable knowing my daughter would be loved immensely by these two wonderful people.

Three months later, I was attending a play at a local college with my boyfriend one Saturday night when the cramps I had been feeling all day became much worse. It was ten days before my due date, so we went home, where I labored until about midnight when I felt certain the baby was coming and it wasn't merely false labor. We went to the hospital, and six hours later, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. My first call was to Adam and Suzanne. They arrived the next day and were overjoyed when I placed Vivian in their arms. I signed the papers and left the hospital a few days later. My parents arrived with my brother and grandmother and were able to meet Adam, Suzanne and Vivian before the new family went home to Pennsylvania.

It was very emotional, but I knew I made the right decision for my daughter. She will have a life far better than any I could hope to provide, and she has loving, supportive parents who will nurture and guide her. It has been over a year since I placed my daughter with Adam and Suzanne, and the updates I receive reassure me that she is happy, healthy and well-loved.

Ready to find out what adoption can do for you and your baby? Contact us today at 1-800-ADOPTION to get free information and support. 

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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.

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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.

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