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Fully
Open/Fully Disclosed Birthparents
choose the adoptive family and meet them in person.
There is an exchange of full names, phone numbers, and
addresses. On-going communication. Updates and pictures
are sent directly to one another. Post-placement visits
are decided and arranged between the birth and adoptive
parents. Semi-open
Birthparents have the option to choose the adoptive
family from non-identifying profiles and both sides
could agree to meet. Only first names are exchanged.
Updates and pictures, as well as any post-placement
visits are arranged through the agency. Closed Open AdoptionsIn an open adoption, it is typical for the birthparent/s to choose the adoptive family they want to raise their child. Frequently, they will meet each other and speak prior to the birth of the child by phone, email or through agreed upon face to face visits. The birth parent/s and adoptive families may design a plan to continue contact even after the baby is born. There is usually an exchange of full names, phone numbers, and addresses. On-going communication prior to and after the birth is usually arranged upon through an agreement of the parties involved.Adoptions of this nature
will vary. The adoptive family and birth parents can
agree to periodic visits by the
birth parents as the child grows. Or as is common in
open adoptions the adoptive family will agree to mail pictures
and letters to the birth parents through the years.
Semi-Open
Adoptions
Semi-open
adoptions fall in between open and closed adoptions.
The adoptive family and birth parents usually will know
basic information about each other, such as their first
names and state of residence. Complete contact
information, such as phone numbers and addresses, are
not shared. This type of adoption is the most common at
American Adoptions. While adoptive families and birth
parents may speak to one another prior to the birth of
the child, some confidentiality is maintained. Once the
child has been placed with the adoptive family, the
birth parents may still stay in contact with the family
via letters and pictures, however
this correspondence is handled by a third party, such
as the adoption agency. American Adoptions
handles all correspondence between our birth parents
and adoptive families in a semi-open adoption. Our
agency maintains the current contact information for
each party - if the birth parents or adoptive family
wishes to send a letter or pictures to the other party,
they simply mail it to the agency. We then repackage
the letter so there is no identifying information (such
as mailing address) and forward it on to the recipient.
If you are unsure about whether or not you would want
to receive pictures and letters after your baby is
born, we will be happy to hold all correspondence for
you at the agency. When, or if, you decide you would
like to then receive the items, simply let us know and
we will forward all items to you and help you maintain
future correspondence Closed
Adoptions
Closed adoptions were extremely commonplace in the U.S. for years. Both birth parents and adoptive families had no contact prior to or after the placement of the child. All personal information was kept confidential from both sets of parents. Currently, closed adoptions are less common. However, it is absolutely acceptable for a birthparent/s to ask the agency to choose the adoptive family, and request not to receive any information about them. Our agency will honor a birthparent/s wishes and support fully with a closed adoption plan. In this model there will be no meetings between birth and adoptive parents before or after the birth of the infant. Adoptive parents will expect to receive only legally required medical and social background information on the child and the birth family. The exchange of post placement information such as pictures or letters, will always be facilitated by our agency. However,
i
Whether
you are just beginning to explore your preg One
of those options is what kind of adoption you would
like to have - all varying depending on what contact,
if any, you will have with the adoptive family and/or
your child as they grow up. Each
pregnant woman we work with is able to form her own
individualized adoption plan. Not only will you be able
to choose an adoptive family to raise your child, but
you will also have the opportunity, if you wish, to
meet the adoptive family in person, speak with them
over the telephone or e-mail, or whether or not you
want to continue contact with the family once your
child is placed with them. All
waiting families working with Adoption Journeys are
prepared, at a minimum, to send pictures and letters to
the birth parents (the biological mother and father of
the child) once or twice a year until the child turns
18. Pictures and letters are a great way for you to see
your child as they grow, to share in their birthdays,
holidays and other important life events. It's also a
great way for you to see with your own eyes that the
family you chose for your child really is providing the
life you dreamed of for them. In
addition to pictures and letters, a majority of our
birth parents even speak to the adoptive family they
select via conference calls with our agency or meet at
the hospital during the birth of the child. However, if
you want a more open relationship, which could include
ongoing phone calls and e-mails after you place your
child with the adoptive family, we will work with you
to find a family that will honor your wishes. If you
change your mind about how much contact you desire
during the adoption process, that's OK, too. As a
matter of fact, many of our adoptive families and birth
parents decide they want more contact once they
meet/speak to one another. If you don't want to have
any contact with the adoptive family, we'll also honor
that wish - we'll support whatever contact arrangement
you desire. It is your baby, your choice,
your adoption plan. Note:
While every adoption professional has a different
interpretation of what a closed, open or semi-open
adoption entails, the following is a description of how
American Adoptions
defines each type of adoption.
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