If you are pregnant and are considering the selfless, life-changing choice of adoption for your baby, you will want the best agency by your side every step of the way. But, with so many options available and different places to research, you may be struggling with the best way to choose an adoption agency.

You are not alone. There are many prospective birth parents who share the same difficulties of knowing how to find the adoption agency that is best for them.

Don’t worry, we are here to help!

Although there is not exactly a foolproof method set in stone for choosing an adoption agency, this guide will explore some helpful techniques. Finding an agency that will provide the services you need throughout your pregnancy, while putting your experience and needs first, is necessary when it comes to keeping you on track toward a successful adoption.

Keep reading for helpful information on choosing an adoption professional for you and your baby.

Researching your Options Online

Seeing how you have found your way to our page, you probably already understand the important role the internet plays in researching adoption services. But where do you look, and how will it help you in choosing an adoption service provider?

When searching for information online, adoption agency websites are a great place to start. Whether you are dealing with a local or national adoption agency, they internet is full of useful information as you research your options.

Agency websites should provide you with helpful information, such as educational resources, a list of the services they offer, a way to contact an adoption professional at their agency, and more. Each site’s design and content will vary, but the general concept should remain fairly similar. Ideally, an adoption agency website will give you a feel for the agency and help you determine whether or not you should proceed to the next step in your research: contacting the agency.

The internet is also a great place to find reviews and testimonials from previous birth parents who used a specific agency for their adoption. Reviews provide firsthand examples of the service other birth mothers received while using the agency. Reading reviews can provide you with insight of actual experiences, pros and cons, and patterns in strengths and weaknesses of an adoption agency.

Keep in mind not everyone will write a review. Given the personal and emotional nature of adoption, the reviews may be fairly subjective. Also, people have been proven much more likely to write a negative review than positive, so sometimes these reviews can skew the actual experience and service provided. Regardless, agency reviews are a useful tool, and one of the many things to consider when choosing an adoption agency.

Oftentimes, agency websites will have their own review or testimonial section, but reviews may also be found via Google, on adoption support groups, social media or other various websites related to adoption. When you take the next step and contact an agency, you may consider asking them directly if they are able to provide any references from previous clients.

Researching adoption through the internet allows you to compare agency websites and comb through reviews. Seeing how one agency stacks up against another will help narrow your list when choosing an adoption professional to help you throughout your adoption journey. For clarification on something you may not understand or have concerns about, you can always contact an adoption professional from the agency to answer any questions.

Adoption Services: What is Important to You?

We have referred to adoption agencies as service providers, and we are sure you’re aware that the goal of an adoption agency is to help your complete your adoption. But what services should you be looking for when choosing an adoption agency?

The answer is completely up to your needs and wants for the way you envision your adoption. As a prospective birth mother, you should look for some basic services an adoption agency should offer you. Services like:

• Counseling and support services, preferably available 24/7
• Adoption and hospital planning services
• Financial assistance
• Legal representation references
• Educational services
• Contact mediation

These are just a few of the key services you should look for as you are choosing an adoption agency. The adoption agency you choose should make your needs, comfort level and overall experience their top priority. Keep in mind, this is your adoption, and you are in charge of the decisions.

Having a list of what you consider to be the most important services during your adoption is helpful to your decision-making process. The agency’s ability to provide these services is one of the questions to ask when choosing an adoption agency. Although most adoption agencies are fairly similar, the services offered will vary.

When you contact an agency you are interested in, be sure to discuss the services they are able to offer for prospective birth mothers. This will help eliminate any confusion or misconceptions, while also determining if the agency aligns with your goals for adoption.

Narrowing Your Adoption Agency Options

When choosing an adoption agency, one of the best things you can do to help narrow down your search is create a list of the agencies you are interested in. You will want to weigh the pros and cons of each agency and eliminate those that do not match your preferences. Once you feel comfortable with the list of agency candidates, you will want to contact each agency individually.

The agency you choose will ultimately impact your entire adoption experience.

Speaking with an adoption specialist from the agencies you are interested in will not only give you a feel for the personalities and professionalism of the agency, but it also gives you an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. Asking the right questions is crucial, as you do not want to have any misunderstandings when it comes to such an important decision of choosing an adoption agency.

Ask about the services provided, ask about references and the placement process; any questions you have, do not hesitate to ask. It is an agency’s responsibility to make sure you are fully educated and aware of the adoption process and the steps involved in placing a baby for adoption. There are no limitations on how many questions you can ask or how many times you contact an agency.

Your needs come first. Whatever needs to be done on your part to make you feel the most confident toward making a decision, do it.

Your Next Steps

Once you have researched online, weighed the pros and cons, made your list, and contacted the agencies, it’s time to choose an agency. Although pregnancy does expedite the process a little, take your time. This is something you want to be fully certain about, not just for you, but also for your baby. It is not something you rush.

An unplanned pregnancy can be a lot to handle, especially if you’re attempting to do it alone. Adoption agencies ensure you don’t have to. Choosing an adoption agency is important to your overall experience and success.

If you have any questions about how to choose the right adoption agency, contact us for free, unbiased information from an adoption professional.