By Megan Kostraba 

Choosing adoption as a life-long decision is incredibly difficult, especially for a teenager. Dealing with the panic and stress that comes from an unplanned pregnancy is challenging for any birth mother. As a teen, it can be even harder to find support for yourself. 

There are a lot of misconceptions out there that stereotype teen pregnancy and adoption as a whole. It can be hard to advocate for yourself when dealing with the judgment of your peers or even your family. 

At Adoption Choices of Nevada, we want our younger birth mothers to recognize that we are here for them! We’ve worked with women who have come from all walks of life, and we understand that every birth mother has a unique experience. With us, you do not need to feel concerned about being judged. You can find a community of birth mothers who have experienced the same exact thing you are going through. 

You might also wonder if you are eligible to choose adoption.

Some of our younger birth mothers have concerns about considering adoption and if parent permission is necessary. When you become pregnant, most states acknowledge your right to choose what you want for yourself and your child. Even as a teenager, you have the ability to make your own choices and choose your adoption plan. Our adoption specialists can help answer your questions about your situation and provide clarity to any of your concerns. 

Our agency will advocate for you, and we will listen to your wants, wishes, needs, and concerns. Even at a young age, teen birth mothers have the right to be involved in every aspect of the adoption process. Let’s talk about the adoption process and how we can guide you through it.

The Adoption Process 

The adoption process is a very personal and unique one that changes for each birth mother. The first thing to discuss with your adoption specialist at your agency is if adoption is the right option for you. When facing an unplanned pregnancy, you deserve to know every option you have available! Your adoption specialist will lay out all of your potential options, and then together, you can choose the best plan for yourself and your child. 

You might find yourself needing a lot of assurance during your decision-making process, and that’s okay! Our world has had a skewed view of adoption, and only recently has the concept become more modernized. A lot of people make assumptions about your choice, one of them being that you are “giving your baby up for adoption.” This could not be further from the truth! Adoption as a whole is a selfless act, not selfish. Choosing adoption is prioritizing your baby over yourself and thinking of their future. It can be difficult to disregard these kinds of misconceptions, but also remember that your reasons stem from the unconditional love you have for your child. Choosing adoption is not giving up, but is actually persevering! 

During the adoption process, you and your adoption specialists will talk about all of the concerns and wants you have. You might discuss future events and steps that will come with the process and even talk about what kind of family you want to raise your child. With this might also come some new information for a birth mother—there are different types of adoption to choose from! 

Choosing a Type of Adoption 

The type of adoption you choose depends on the kind of relationship you may want with your child. The choice is also yours! No one can influence your choice but yourself, as our adoption agencies will respect your decision. 

One type of adoption is a closed adoption. This is where the identity of the birth mother will be hidden from the adoptive family. Both parties, the birth parents and the adoptive parents, do not share full names. With a closed adoption, you will not communicate with the adoptive family at all. There is also no future communication with you and your child. This is an option for birth mothers who may want full closure and privacy. 

Another option, which is common between birth mothers, is an open adoption. With an open adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents share contact information and know one another by name. Open adoption means that a relationship can be formed between the birth parents, adoptive parents, and child. If you want the chance to communicate with your child in the future, an open adoption is probably your best choice! Common ways adoptive families and birth parents interact include: 

• Letters 
• Email
• Digital communication: texts, video calls, etc.
• Social media 
• Photo sharing 

With open adoptions, you may be able to find extra support from the adoptive family! Whatever your preference is, our adoption agency will support you and your wishes. Your type of adoption is something you will discuss and plan out with your adoption specialists. We can help guide you through every aspect of your adoption and create an adoption plan that works for you. There is no need to feel alone with an agency by your side! 

Teen Pregnancy and Choosing Adoption in Nevada  

Choosing adoption at a young age can feel very intimidating. You may question your decision, your choices, and yourself at different times during the adoption. With adoption comes a lot of difficult feelings and emotions! As an agency, we do not want any birth mother to feel like she is going through this process alone. Age is just a number to us—what we care about is supporting you on your adoption journey. 

If you are thinking about adoption for your child, consider adoption in Nevada. We can help you get through this one step at a time!