If you are pregnant and not sure that you want to keep the baby, you might be thinking about adoption.

Pregnancy causes many changes, both physical and emotional. It can be a very confusing time for a woman, even in the best of circumstances. Talking to a counselor about your options might help. But how do you start?

This factsheet gives you, the birth mother, information about counseling and adoption. It addresses many question you might have:

• Who can I talk to about my options? -Should I place my child for adoption?

• What are the different types of adoption?

• -How do I arrange an adoption through an agency?

• -How do I arrange a private adoption?

• -What if my baby is a child of color?

• How do I arrange for future contact with my child if I want it?

If you want more information on these adoption issues, or any others, please contact the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC) at (301) 231-6512, 5640 Nicholson Lane, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.

Who Can I Talk to About My Options?

Who Can I Talk to About My Options? If you want to talk to a professional about your options, there are different places you can go. Counseling at the places listed below will be free or cost very little.

• Crisis pregnancy center--This is a place where they talk only to pregnant women. It might even have a maternity center attached where you could live until the baby is born.

• Family planning clinic--This is a place where women get birth control information or pregnancy tests.

• Adoption agency--This choice is good if you are already leaning strongly in the direction of adoption.

• Health Department or Social Services--A food stamps or welfare worker can tell you which clinic or department is the right one.

• Mental health center or family service agency--Counselors at these places help all kinds of people in all kinds of situations.

No matter where you go for counseling, a counselor should always treat you with respect and make you feel good about yourself. A counselor may have strong feelings about adoption, abortion, and parenting a child. In order to make up your own mind, it is important for you to get clear answers from your counselor to three questions that will help you choose the best option.

If you are not happy with the answers you get, you may wish to find a counselor at another place. NAIC can tell you about crisis pregnancy centers and adoption agencies in each State, and can also help you find other counseling agencies in your area.

• If I feel I cannot carry my pregnancy to term, how will you help me?

• If I decide to take care of my baby myself, how will you help me do that?

• If I want to place my baby for adoption, will you help me find an adoption agency or attorney who will listen to what I think is right for us?

© 1992

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)