For many women, an unplanned pregnancy means facing difficult decisions – especially if you don’t feel ready or able to raise a child. If you were considering terminating the pregnancy, last year’s overturning of Roe v. Wade makes it even more challenging. With abortion no longer an option for many women in 2023, you may be asking “What can I do?” In Texas, you have two alternatives: parenting or adoption.
Parenting
Becoming a parent means committing emotionally, physically and financially to raising a child for the next 18 years. That might sound overwhelming, but it’s also one the most rewarding experiences you can have. Many Texas communities offer resources that can help if you want to parent your child, but are struggling financially. Your counselor can also help you make an parenting plan, so you can make the best decision for yourself and your baby.
Adoption
With adoption, you choose another family to become legally and permanently responsible for raising your child.
There are three main types of adoption – open, semi-open and closed – that allow you to have varying levels of participation in planning for your child’s future and maintaining contact with the adoptive family.
Open Adoption: An open adoption is one where you build a relationship with the adoptive family. You exchange personal information, and communicate directly with each other. Research shows that open adoption can benefit everyone involved, especially the adopted child.
In most open adoptions, the adoptive family will provide pictures and updates of your child. Many also have ongoing communication through phone calls, text messages, social media, and even in-person or Facetime visits. Every open adoption looks different, but you and the adoptive family will decide together what yours should be.
Open adoption is an informal agreement based on trust and respect, but cannot be legally enforced in the State of Texas. That is why we educate our adoptive families to respect the bond between your child and you, and to understand the importance of your child knowing his or her beginnings. Chances are that you will choose a family who you like and trust, and they will be committed to honoring their agreement with you.
Semi-open adoption: You can still receive photos and updates on your child, but all communication will go through the adoption agency and your personal information remains private.
Closed adoption: There is little to no contact between you and the adoptive family, and no personal information is exchanged. No communication happens after the baby has been placed with the adoptive parents.
Every adoption plan looks different, but you will always be in control of the choices you make, including whether or not you want to select the adoptive family and enter into a relationship with them during and after the pregnancy.
See step-by-step how to make an adoption plan
It’s important to know that, per Texas law, you won’t sign the legal paperwork relinquishing your rights until a minimum of 48 hours has passed since the birth of your child. Until that time, you have only made an adoption plan. You are free to choose parenting even if you have matched with an adoptive family or taken financial assistance from an adoption agency.
Your Next Steps
There’s no rush to make a decision about your unplanned pregnancy. Take the time to learn more about your options and explore what each could look like. Talking to your partner, friends and family members can provide support and insights that make your decision clearer. You can also choose to speak with a professional such as your pastor, a school counselor or an adoption specialist.
Have questions about adoption? We’re here to answer them. Call us at (512) 477-1122, text (512) 270-8415 or request a free Guide to Making an Adoption Plan.
