7 Benefits of Semi-Open Adoption with Adoption Agency in Nevada

If you are considering baby adoption in Nevada, you might find the privacy of closed adoption to be appealing, but perhaps you don’t like the idea of permanently closing off contact with your birth child. On the other hand, you may be drawn to the hope of reuniting with your birth child offered by open adoption, but the frequent and direct contact with the adoptive family may seem too overwhelming. Fortunately, there’s a third option, known as semi-open adoption, that falls somewhere between these two types of adoption that can provide the benefits of both. 

If you find that open adoption and closed adoption will not likely meet your needs as a birth mother, then semi-open adoption might be right for you. If you pursue this path, Adoption Choices of Nevada wants you to know the benefits of semi-open adoption, so that you can make an informed decision.

1. Semi-Open Adoption can Provide Privacy  

When you pursue semi-open adoption, Adoption Choices of Nevada will not disclose any of your identifying personal information to the adoptive family and your birth child, and you will not have access to their information. This can be reassuring to you if you are concerned about your birth child being exposed to individuals you know personally who may compromise the child’s safety. Additionally, you simply might not be comfortable interacting with the adoptive family directly, and you may want to respect their privacy as well. 

2. Semi-Open Adoption Gives a Birth Mother Space to Heal

The privacy that semi-open adoption offers can provide you with distance from the adoptive family and your birth child, so you can more easily move on with your life. Some birth mothers find that frequent contact with the adoptive family and birth child can be upsetting, especially in the early years after placement. Such contact can serve as a painful reminder of losing a child, even if adoption was the best decision for both the birth mother and the baby. By limiting contact, the birth mother has an opportunity to mentally step away from her emotional adoption experience, gain some perspective, and focus more on other aspects of her life.    

3. Semi-Open Adoption Establishes Clear Roles and Boundaries 

Since the contact between you and the adoptive family is mostly indirect and minimal in a semi-open adoption, there is much less risk of confusion over your role in the child’s life as a birth mother. If you and adoptive parents aren’t directly interacting, then there is little room for your roles to conflict with each other. Adoptive parents may appreciate this dynamic as well if they prefer minimal input or other interference from the birth mother.

4. Semi-Open Adoption may Alleviate Some Feelings of Guilt

Even when you know that adoption is the right choice for you and your birth child, it’s not uncommon for birth mothers to feel some level of guilt from time to time. You might fear that your birth child will feel abandoned when he or she learns they are adopted. Although contact between a birth mother and birth child is limited in a semi-open adoption, it just might be enough to put some of these fears and uncertainties at ease. 

5. Semi-Open Adoption can Provide Reassurance over Your Choice

It isn’t easy to watch someone else raise your baby. On the other hand, knowing that they are providing your birth child with a loving, stable, and supportive environment can give you some peace of mind over your choice. By receiving updates of the child as they grow into the person they were meant to be, you get to enjoy the fruits of your loving choice. These updates can help remind you why you chose adoption in the first place if you ever find yourself doubting your decision.

6. Medical Information is Still Accessible in a Semi-Open Adoption

Having some means of communication with the adoptive family is crucial if you need to pass on newly discovered medical information about yourself or your family. By making them aware of any health conditions that the child might be at risk of developing, they will be better prepared to manage them if they come up. 

7. Semi-Open Adoption Offers Hope for Reunification 

While the complete separation that comes with closed adoption might be the right choice for some birth mothers, the finality of complete separation is unbearable for many. At the same time, a birth mother might not be ready to maintain a relationship with the adoptive family, but she still wants the chance to reunite with her birth child in the future. This hope for reunification can absolutely be fulfilled through semi-open adoption. It also keeps the opportunity open for the birth mother to explain to her birth child why she chose to pursue adoption, so the child can know that they are truly loved. 

How will You Benefit from Semi-Open Adoption?

When determining if semi-open adoption is right for you, try to envision yourself as a birth mother under this type of adoption. Do you see yourself experiencing these benefits of semi-open adoption? What challenges will you need to overcome before and after placement? Will the benefits outweigh the challenges? 

Adoption Choices of Nevada can help you work through all these and more questions you have to ensure you make the best decision for you and the baby you carry. Adoption Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. You can also call us to speak to someone now. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno) | 775-738-4673 (Elko) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).

Meet the Author: Mary DeStefano is an Ohio native currently living in northern Virginia and works in the litigation consulting industry where she has experience in antitrust, product liability, and mass torts matters. She holds a B.A. in Economics (‘15) and an M.A. in Applied Economics (‘16) from the University of Cincinnati. 

Mary is passionate about empowering and supporting those involved in the adoption and surrogacy processes. She finds great meaning in wielding the written word to develop impactful narratives and to help people stay informed. In her spare time, Mary can be found beachcombing and going on other adventures with her dog along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. She also has an affinity for antiquing and loves a good 80’s movie marathon.