Preparing for Life After Putting Your Baby In An Adoption Plan: Resources and Support

Even if you are feeling positive about putting your baby in an adoption plan and are confident that you are making the best decision for your child, it’s normal to experience a range of difficult emotions post-adoption including regret and sadness. Planning ahead of time for the emotional aftermath of adoption is an important part of any adoption plan. Leave room for the unexpected, and give yourself plenty of time to rest and process your emotions. It’s important to discuss securing aftercare support and resources with your adoption team, including therapy and self-care practices. 

The Healing Process 

The days, months, and weeks following an adoption tend to be a sensitive and emotionally taxing time. Birth mothers are healing physically as well as emotionally, and they require lots of compassionate care and support. Many mothers experience post-partum depression, whether or not adoption is a part of their birth story, so if you are feeling sadness or loneliness, know that you are not alone. Give yourself more time than you think you need, and reach out to family and friends who will be able to help support you during this vulnerable time. That can look like your support system driving you to doctor’s appointments, bringing you home-cooked meals, or just listening to how you’re feeling. 

Resources for Birth Parents

There are many wonderful post-adoption resources available to birth parents from national and local adoption support organizations, such as Brave Love, a pro-adoption movement dedicated to changing the way people see adoption. Brave Love has a comprehensive list of support groups and retreats for birth moms on their website, which can help birth mothers connect with fellow birth parents. Your adoption agency can also provide counseling sessions free of charge with an adoption therapist who can help you process and integrate your emotions while you heal and grow through this process. 

Moving Forward

Crafting a new identity and focusing on your purpose is essential for any birth mother once she has put her baby in an adoption plan. An important part of the healing process is deciding who you will be now, and what kind of life you’d like to live. Perhaps you’d like to attend college or a vocational school, finish a passion project, or start a new business.

Pursuing meaningful personal goals and dreams gives you something worthwhile to focus on, and can help a great deal with the healing process. If you have chosen an open adoption, maintaining a positive relationship with your baby and their adoptive family can be very rewarding as you see your child thrive and are able to see the positive results of choosing adoption firsthand in your daily life.

Choosing Adoption

As adoption lawyers in the state of Florida, we have years of experience with the adoption process. We are proud advocates for and sensitive to the needs of birth mothers and children, and we understand that choosing to put your baby in an adoption plan is a life-changing decision, full of emotional highs and lows. We are here to support and guide you each step of the way, whether or not you decide adoption is right for you. If you would like to schedule a consultation to find out more about adoption and the services we offer, contact us today.