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Adoption Today

Today 60 – 70% of adoptions in the United States are considered open adoptions. This is a welcome change from the days when adoptions were primarily closed adoptions where the birth parents did not know who adopted their child, and they never received any further information on their child. In addition, adoptive parents had no medical or hereditary background to share with their pediatrician and no information on the birth family to share with their child.

Now, open adoption comes in many different forms. From a woman that is experiencing an unexpected pregnancy that chooses adoptive parents for her baby to a mother who cannot care for her child or children and decides to place them with an adoptive family, open adoption is generally the ideal situation. The birth parents choose the adoptive parents, and together they all decide on what type and how much contact to have after the adoption is final. A birth mother may just want some pictures and updates a couple of times a year, or she may want updates monthly and visits on a regular basis. The birth parents know that their child is happy and healthy, giving great peace of mind to them.

Birth mom with child and adoptive mom

Open adoption today is an honest, loving journey for everyone involved.

For adoptive parents today, they have the benefit of knowing their child’s medical background and have birth family history they can share with their child. They usually know about both the birth mother and the birth father, and may even have communication with other relatives, such as birth grandparents. As things arise, they are able to ask questions of the birth family or even secure specific information on the rare chance that a severe medical conditions arises.

Most important of all, the child knows where they came from. They understand why they were placed for adoption, they know they are loved by their birth family and their adoptive family, and they can get the answers to any questions they have. Today children know from the beginning that they were adopted and it is an open conversation in the adoptive family. This results in a child with a better sense of who they are and higher self-esteem.