By Kelly Paczkowski

If you are a woman considering adoption, you might feel a little hesitant due to the thought of adoption guilt. You might ask will I feel guilty for placing my baby for adoption? The answer to this question is going to be probably. There is no easy answer to this question. There are so many emotions that go with an unplanned pregnancy, and each birth mother goes through them differently. People associate the word guilt with wrong. If you feel guilty about something, then it must have been wrong. That is not necessarily the case. Placing a child for adoption is one of the most selfless things you can do for your child. Realizing that you may not be in a place to parent a baby on your own and doing what is best for them is putting their needs before your own. We at Adoption Choices of Nevada are here to help you throughout your adoption process.

What other emotions may I feel when I place a child for adoption?

As previously stated, there are so many emotions that you will feel after the process. Placing a baby up for adoption is never an easy decision to make, and many emotions will come to the surface.

Some of those emotions can include:

• Fear
• Sadness
• Regret

You may fear your child will grow up to hold a grudge against being adopted. You may think they will grow to hate you and fear you will never see them again. However, some types of adoption will allow you to communicate between you and your child. Open or semi-open adoption will allow some form of communication to be established through you, your child, and your adoptive family. This may ease the feeling of fear that you felt settling in.

Sadness is an emotion that you may feel during and after your unplanned pregnancy. You feel sad that you are giving your baby away. Your adoption counselor will ensure you are as much part of the adoption process as you want. You can even choose the adoptive family you feel best suits your baby. You can select a family that matches your morals and the parenting style you feel most comfortable with. 

Regret is a common emotion you can also come across on your adoption journey. You may regret your pregnancy or even placing your baby for adoption. This is okay to feel this way. These feelings are normal, and you do not need to feel ashamed. If you have any feelings that you need to go over, talking with an adoption counselor may ease your mind, and they will be there to support you every step of the way.  

What Can I do about the guilt I feel?

While it is natural to feel this way about your adoption in Las Vegas, holding it in is not. Make sure you are doing your best to take care of yourself. You need to forgive yourself for any guilty feelings you may have.  

Other things that you can do to help are:

• Talk to an adoption counselor
• Spend time with friends
• Write in a diary or journal
• Do something that you enjoy
• Be kind to yourself

There are many things that you can do to help work through the emotional roller coaster of the adoption process. Walking, jogging, yoga, shopping, and spending time with people who support us are all good ways to help us come to terms with putting a child for adoption. Also, speaking to your adoption representative about your feelings can help. They will be able to help you find support groups or even just listen if that’s what you need. Most importantly, remember to be kind and forgiving with yourself. Healing takes time, just like anything else, and the adoption journey is not any different. There is no time frame for healing, so do not rush the process.

Adoption Choices of Nevada is Here for You

Adoption Choices of Nevada is an adoption agency in Nevada that is willing to support you through an unexpected pregnancy. We are willing to help you from the very beginning and share what options you have available to you. Our experienced adoption specialists are waiting to speak with you and answer any questions you may have. 

Contact Adoption Choices of Nevada 24/7 by email or call/text at tel:855-940-4673. There is always someone available to talk with.