Adoption doesn’t mean saying goodbye to your baby forever. Instead, it can be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Not only can you stay up to date with your child’s milestones, but you’ll also gain an extended family.

Through open adoption, you can build a lifelong relationship with the adoptive family, knowing your baby will always be taken care of.

You can contact an adoption agency today to learn more about the many benefits of open adoption and get free adoption information now.

1. With an Open Adoption, Do You Have to Pay?

No, you never have to pay for any aspect of the adoption process. When you pursue an open adoption, you can stay in touch with your child without paying anything. The beauty of open adoption is that you can choose how much contact you’re comfortable with.

2. Is Open Adoption Co-Parenting?

No, open adoption does not mean you’re co-parenting. When you sign your consent for adoption, you will no longer have parental rights. This means you can watch your child grow and thrive without worrying about paying anything.

According to American Adoptions, a licensed national adoption agency, if you’re not sure how much contact you want, you can take things slow until you decide how much contact makes sense for you. There is no set rule on how much interaction you’re supposed to have when pursuing adoption.

You can always contact an adoption agency to learn more about the open adoption process.

3. How Does Open Adoption Work?

Open adoption for birth mothers is the second most common type of adoption relationship. It allows you to have open lines of communication with the adoptive family you select. By choosing open adoption, you can stay in contact with your child for years to come.

The amount of contact will depend on your comfort level. But, it generally consists of communication via:

• Email
• Text
• Phone calls
• Video chat
• Or whatever you feel comfortable with

Birth mother Caitlin chose an open adoption and felt like her baby’s adoptive parents were the perfect fit. They’re her extended family, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I was never sad about what had happened or anything like that,” Caitlin says. “He gets this family who can take care of him and do everything I couldn’t. I had a purpose for him, and it was meant to be.”

4. What Are the Effects of Open Adoption on a Birth Mother?

There are many benefits of choosing this type of adoption relationship. In the past, closed adoptions were far more common and led to many adoptees questioning their identities. With open adoption, your child will grow up knowing their adoption stories.

The effects of open adoption on a birth mother have been positive because they are in full control of the process. You’re not obligated to choose an open adoption, and your birth parent specialist will never push you into making a decision you’re not comfortable with.

Angelica, a birth mother who pursued an open adoption, developed a strong bond with her baby’s adoptive parents, Keith and Jen. The relationship she built with them is one she will cherish forever.

“She was no longer mine, but I knew in my heart that everything would be OK,” Angelica said. “Seeing how happy she made them and their family and seeing how happy their family was just reassured me that I had made the right decision.  I don’t ever want anything to stand in her way, and I know she has two people that she can look up to.”

5. How Can I Begin the Open Adoption Process?

The process of pursuing an open adoption can vary, but in general you can expect it to consist of five steps:

• Step 1: Connect with an adoption agency and meet your birth parent specialist.
• Step 2: Work with your birth parent specialist to create an open adoption plan.
• Step 3: Find an adoptive family that wants to pursue an open adoption.
• Step 4: Build a relationship with the family.
• Step 5: Complete the adoption placement and continue your relationship with the family.

Through open adoption, you’ll always have a place in your baby’s heart. The ability to share milestones and experience in-person connections makes open adoption special.