What If I Contact an Adoption Agency and Change My Mind?
Maybe you’ve thought about contacting an adoption agency but haven’t because you’re afraid of what happens next.
Will they expect you to choose adoption? What if you talk with someone and then change your mind? What if you simply aren’t sure yet?
Reaching out does not mean you have everything decided. In fact, many women contact Forever Bound Adoption because they don’t know what they want to do.
You can ask questions first.
Does contacting an adoption agency mean I’ve chosen adoption?
No.
Contacting an adoption agency can simply be a way to get information.
You may be considering adoption after an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy. Perhaps you’re searching for unplanned pregnancy help because you aren’t sure what options are available.
Either way, asking questions is not the same as making a final decision.
If you want to explore your options privately before reaching out, you can start on our I’m Pregnant page.
What happens when I reach out?
Your first conversation can be simple.
You might ask about:
- How the adoption process works
- What open adoption looks like
- How adoptive families are chosen
- What support may be available
- What happens at the hospital
- What happens after placement
You can also talk about your own situation and concerns.
Most importantly, you don’t need to know whether adoption is right for you before having that conversation.
What if I change my mind about adoption?
Your feelings may change as you gather information and think about your future.
That’s why learning comes before making major decisions.
You may discover that adoption isn’t the path you want to pursue. On the other hand, learning more about the process may help you feel comfortable continuing to explore it.
Either way, getting information can help you understand your choices.
If you’re worried about committing too soon, What Does an Adoption Plan Actually Include? explains how an adoption plan can develop as you learn more.
Can I learn about families without making a final decision?
Learning about prospective families can also be part of exploring adoption.
For example, you may want to know what kinds of families are waiting to adopt. You may also have questions about their values, parenting styles, or hopes for an open adoption.
Our article Can I Meet the Adoptive Family Before I Decide? explains more about that process.
Taking another step to learn does not mean you have to know exactly what you want.
What should support from an adoption agency feel like?
You should be able to ask honest questions.
Good support should help you understand your options rather than make you feel rushed toward a particular choice.
At Forever Bound Adoption, our goal is to listen, provide information, and help you understand the adoption process in Utah and Idaho.
If you’re deciding which agency you feel comfortable contacting, you can read Why Work With Forever Bound Adoption?.
Forever Bound Adoption is licensed in both Utah and Idaho.
You can start with one question
You don’t need to call with a complete adoption plan.
You don’t need to know which family you would choose.
You don’t even need to know whether you want adoption.
Your first step can simply be:
“I have some questions.”
That is enough.
For additional information about adoption, the Child Welfare Information Gateway provides educational resources for individuals and families learning about the adoption process.
You can take this one step at a time
Considering adoption can bring up complicated emotions, especially when you’re already trying to understand what you want for your future.
Gathering information gives you something valuable: a clearer picture of your choices.
You can ask questions. You can take time to think. You can continue learning.
Then, you can decide what your next step should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I contact an adoption agency just to ask questions?
Yes. You can contact an adoption agency to learn about your options and ask questions even if you have not decided whether adoption is right for you.
Does talking to an adoption agency commit me to adoption?
No. Asking questions and learning about the adoption process are not the same as making a final adoption decision.
Can I ask about open adoption before deciding?
Yes. Learning how open adoption works can help you understand what your relationship with your child and the adoptive family could look like after placement.
For more information call or text Forever Bound Adoption at (801)-821-1354 or email [email protected]