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| Why choose Adoption Links Worldwide?
We understand the emotional and therapeutic needs surrounding adoption. We have assisted birth families in finding adoptive families for their children since 1993. Regardless of your decision to parent or choose adoption, we are here to listen, care and support you. Our experienced, professional therapists will help you sort out your feelings and empower you to make your own plan for your child.
We understand that the first phone call can be difficult. We welcome your questions and enjoy sharing information over the phone, via email, or in our relaxed private setting. We can also help with referrals to qualified and sensitive physicians, childbirth educators, housing and public assistance all at no charge.
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| 2. |
Are there any costs to me?
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There is no cost to you. Adoptive parents pay for legal fees, medical bills not covered by insurance, consulting and counseling fees.
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| 3. |
Why choose adoption?
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There are many reasons why birth parents choose adoption. Most women contact us because they realize that they are not ready to be the kind of parent they want for their child at this time in their life. A single mother may want her baby to have two stable parents, a couple may feel they don't have the financial resources to raise a child or more children. Others need to complete their education or are in the midst of relationship difficulties. Adoption is a loving decision. It takes a great deal of love and sacrifice to even consider it. We want to help you explore parenting and adoption and let you determine what is right for both you and your child at this time in your life.
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How are adoptive families screened?
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Every adoptive parent is thoroughly evaluated through an Adoptive Home Study process conducted by Adoption Links Worldwide. The Home Study process includes assessments of their character, marital stability, financial situation, lifestyle, and medical history. We run background checks to verify there is no record of criminal activity or child abuse. Their home will also be inspected by a social worker to ensure it is a safe environment for a child. We require education on adoption and parenting. Following the placement of a child into an adoptive home, the social worker will continue to monitor and supervise the family. We go to great lengths to make sure the families we offer you are going to be excellent parents to your child.
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| 5. |
Can I be involved in choosing the family for my baby?
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Yes! We would encourage you to choose your adoptive family from the pool of families that Adoption Links Worldwide has approved. We will assist you in the initial contact with them. If you want to, you can spend time with them on your own to get to know them better. Many birth parents meet for dinner, go to obstetrical appointments together, talk on the telephone and/or write to each other. You decide how open or private you want your relationship to be.
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| 6. |
What is open or semi-open adoption?
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In open adoption, birth parents continue to have a relationship that includes face-to-face contact with the adoptive family and their child, throughout the child’s lifetime. Oftentimes, adoptive families and birth families get together for outings, holidays, and to share special events in the child’s life such as soccer games or school programs. Birthparents play a significant role in their child’s life, not as a parent, but as an important member of their child’s extended family.
Semi-open adoption may include the exchange of letters and pictures between the adoptive parents and birth parents until the child is grown. As birth parents, you will decide on the amount of contact you wish to have with the adoptive family. Some birth parents request just letters and photographs. Other birth parents may want visits or telephone calls, while others may want no contact at all after the adoption is finalized. Ultimately, the choice is up to the birth parents.
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What if I deliver and haven't created a plan? Can you work with me from the hospital?
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Yes. It is not all that uncommon that we receive calls from birth parents that are already in labor or have had their baby and are in the hospital. Once we receive your call, we will make arrangements to meet with you as soon as possible. We will work with you on creating a plan for discharge that will best meet your needs and that of your child. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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| 8. |
What rights does the father of the baby have?
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He has the right to know about the pending adoption plan and it’s our legal responsibility to notify him of his rights. Regardless of your relationship with the father, we find that they often support the mother in her adoption plan when they are also lacking the resources to parent. We will include him in the process to the degree that he and you are comfortable. We will speak to him for you if you would prefer and advise him of his rights and responsibilities and execute the necessary paperwork. If he is not available, we have a legal process to handle that situation as well.
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| 9. |
If I choose adoption, when is my decision final?
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Under Nebraska law, birthparents must wait to sign relinquishment and consent to adoption papers at least 48 hours after their baby is born. It is your choice when to sign these legal papers. We would encourage you to take as much time as you need to be sure of your decision, before signing adoption papers. After signing, the decision is final and permanent.
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| 10. |
If I do make an adoption plan, will the sad feelings ever go away?
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We at Adoption Links Worldwide acknowledge that, inherent in adoption, there is significant loss for birth families. Even open adoption is not painless, and birthparents will experience a grieving process for sometime after their child is placed for adoption. However, over time, most birth parents report feeling less sadness and more at peace with their adoption decision. Ongoing contact with the adoptive family helps to reassure birth parents that they made the right choice for their child.
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