If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you’re probably considering your options. As soon as you saw those lines on your pregnancy test you likely started running through all your options, only to come to adoption and think, “Oh, I definitely wouldn’t choose adoption.” Like a checklist in your brain. Parenting? Maybe. Abortion? Possibly. Adoption. Oh no, definitely not.

A quick read of this blog isn’t a commitment. But it could assure that you understand the option you’re writing off your list. And it could make sure you’re making a decision based on accurate information. That’s important – and worth your time.

People often look at adoption as a problem, like there’s something wrong with adoption. But here’s the thing – most people don’t know the facts about adoption. There are a lot of assumptions and negative associations surrounding adoption. These ideas – though inaccurate – may keep people from even considering whether they should choose adoption for an unplanned pregnancy.

Unfortunately, many people assume that adoption is “giving their baby away” like a discarded object, without deep thought or emotion. We’ll talk about this misconception later.

But first, we need to tackle the false assumption that people who choose adoption for their child are unloving or irresponsible. That is not the case for most biological parents. Thanks to modern adoption practices, biological parents are encouraged and supported throughout the adoption process. Biological parents meet, interview, and select a parent or parents for their child. This is a decision based on deep love and a strong desire to provide the best possible care. So, these biological parents are being good parents, by choosing good parents for their child.

Negative associations around foster care have also stopped people from considering whether they should choose adoption. Some people think adoption and foster care are the same, incorrectly believing that what’s wrong with the foster care system is what’s wrong with adoption.  But adoption and foster care are not the same.

It is no secret that the foster care system is flawed. Unfortunately, the foster care system has failed many children. Children have suffered due to constantly being reassigned to multiple foster homes and/or the lack of supervision of those homes.

But here is one major difference between foster care and adoption: adoption is not a temporary placement. When you choose adoption it is a permanent decision, making a child a part of a family forever. Another difference is that the chosen adoptive parents go through extensive evaluations before the adoption begins and then supervisory processes after the child is received into their home.

Now, back to the notion that a person who chooses adoption is choosing to “give their baby away.” That phrase is just simply not a true representation of the emotional, psychological, or monetary costs of adoption. It is a phrase that falsely implies something is wrong with adoption. Although biological parents feel relieved that they have made the best possible parenting choice for their child, they may experience temporary sadness as they adjust to life without their little one. While biological parents experience emotional costs, adoptive parents bear the weight of the monetary costs. Private adoptions are the most expensive. There are a lot of fees that must be paid. The average cost of private adoptions in the United States ranges from $20,000-$50,000.  Adoptive parents are financially committed to this process.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, it’s important that you take time to learn about all your options; this includes considering if you should choose adoption. Don’t let false assumptions and negative associations prevent you from making a fully informed decision. Reach out to us at Alcove Health Women’s Clinic. We’re here to help you. We’ll provide a free pregnancy confirmation and options consultation. You may just find out that adoption is RIGHT for you. It may be just the choice you’re looking for. CALL us today or click HERE  today for your free and confidential appointment.