What Is Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption?
Adoption has changed a lot within the past few decades. Closed adoption used to be the norm, but that has now given way to open adoption. But, what is open adoption in Iowa, and how does it work? We’re here to answer that question and many more.
From a general standpoint, open adoption is when the adoptive family and birth parents exchange identifying information. This includes names and a method of contact so that you don’t have to speak with each other through an adoption professional. But, you may still feel unsure whether you want to pursue an open, semi-open or closed adoption.
To help you determine if open adoption in Iowa is right for you, we’ve created this comprehensive guide. If you have any questions while you’re reading along, please contact us online. We’ll connect you with an Iowa adoption agency that can help.
What Is an Open Adoption in Iowa [And How Does It Work?]
As a prospective birth mother, you could be wondering, “What is open adoption in Iowa?” It is when the adoptive family and birth parents maintain open communication throughout the adoption directly. Also, the child grows up understanding their story and knowing who their birth parents are. In other words, it helps forge a lifelong bond.
The vast majority of adoptions in Iowa (and nationwide) are open, and there are many benefits of open adoption in Iowa. It can be especially helpful for the child, and we understand that you simply want to do what is best for your baby.
Below, we’ll go over a few open adoption benefits:
- You can get to know your child’s adoptive family. When you pursue an open adoption in Iowa, you will communicate often with the adoptive family and you can begin getting to know them better. Many prospective birth mothers feel that they gain new extended family members through adoption, and this is part of what makes it so beautiful.
- You can watch your child grow up happy and healthy. Another one of the benefits of open adoption in Iowa is that you can watch your child grow up in a loving home with an adoptive family of your choosing. You can directly watch your baby grow up happy and healthy when you pursue open adoption. It’s reassuring to know that your child is loved in their home because of the selfless, heroic decision you made for them.
- You can give the adoptive family access to your child’s medical history. This may be one of the open adoption benefits you didn’t initially think about, but this is an important one. With open adoption, the adoptive family can have access to the child’s medical history, which could come in handy if any health issues come into the picture. Your child will also appreciate knowing their medical history once they are older.
Open vs. Closed Adoption in Iowa [What Is the Difference?]
Though there are many benefits of open adoption in Iowa, it is ultimately your choice to decide what is best for you. For instance, maybe you are interested in a semi-open or closed adoption. Most people choose open adoption in Iowa, but we recognize that closed adoption is the right path for some people. But, what is open adoption vs. closed adoption?
Closed adoption is when the birth parent and adoptive family are confidential. They share no identifying information or contact before, during or after the adoption. This used to be the standard, and it may be what you think of when you think about adoption. But, around the 1980s, adoption shifted toward more openness.
There is also semi-open adoption, which lies somewhere between closed and open adoption in Iowa. This is also known as mediated adoption, meaning that an adoption professional mediates all contact between birth parents and adoptive families. This preserves identifying information, but it ensures that you receive updates about how your child is doing, and you can rest easy watching them grow up happy and healthy.
There are pros and cons of open adoption, semi-open adoption and closed adoption. So, it is up to you to mull over each of these options and choose the path that is best for you and your child. Only you know what is right for your circumstances, so don’t let anyone else try to tell you what you should do. Listen to your gut and consider what is best for your child.
Choosing an Adoption Agency to Work with [for Your Open Adoption in Iowa]
When you decide to pursue open adoption in Iowa, the first thing you’ll want to do is choose an adoption agency to work with. Selecting an experienced adoption agency can be an important part of a successful open adoption because there’s a lot of education involved for both the adoptive family and birth parents.
After you choose your adoption agency, you’ll begin forming your adoption plan with guidance from your adoption professional. Think of this as a basic outline of all your wants and needs throughout your adoption process, and your adoption professional will ensure that everything goes according to this plan. Open adoption agencies in Iowa can help you complete your adoption from start to finish, and they’ll be there to help you every step of the way. Here are some adoption agencies you can contact:
- American Adoptions
- Alliance for Children
- Bethany Christian Services
- Gladney Center for Adoption
- Lifetime Adoption
With an open adoption in Iowa, you and your adoption professional can also discuss what kind of pre-placement contact you are most comfortable with. This is the method of communication that you’d like to use to keep in touch with both your child and their adoptive family. For instance, you can choose:
- Phone calls
- Texts
- In-person visits
- Emails
- Handwritten letters
- Zoom or Skype
- Or whatever you feel comfortable with
The beauty of adoption is that you can adjust everything to your liking. As the prospective birth mother, you are in 100% control of your adoption journey from the beginning to the end. Your adoption professional should accommodate your every need. If you have any more questions about open adoption in Iowa, then contact us online today.