Many countries have begun barring adoptions from happening. This has left many with a failed international adoption, as they are unable to move forward with their adoption plans. Not only that, but they are also unable to regain their adoption funds so that they can adopt elsewhere. Some adoptive couples were already working on the adoption of a specific child, and just waiting for the approval to travel home. This left many disappointed and devastated.

International adoption has always been a risk. It takes a strong heart and courage to forge ahead into unknown paths, with nothing but faith and a plan to bring their child home.

But there are other adoption options to think about, which you might never have considered. At Lifetime, we talk to thousands of women living in the US in unplanned pregnancies who are hoping that someone will be willing to adopt their baby.

Some adoptive couples are hesitant about domestic adoption because they’re frightened an open adoption plan means co-parenting. Also, they seem scared that the birth mother will come by to reclaim her baby. The reality is, most birth mothers in the U.S. seek families willing to at least share letters and photos after the adoption. Some are looking to have an in-person visit with the family, once a year for just a few hours at a location like a park. Due to fear, adoptive families miss out on these great adoption situations. It is possible for the birth mother to love her child, and yet wish to make an adoption plan. If an adoptive family is open to contact with a birth mother afterward, their wait time will be much shorter!

You may be wondering “why do we need to stay in contact if she doesn’t even want the child?” Most birth mothers want contact simply because they need that peace of mind, to know they made the right choice. In an open adoption, the adoptee never has to search for answers about their origins. And, with open domestic adoption, you’ll have your baby’s medical history and information.

Many times in an open domestic adoption, the family and the birth mother have been talking long before the baby is born, and they’ve developed a bond. They meet in the hospital for the birth of the child. They’re both excited about this new little life and want to make sure the baby is well-raised.

After the birth mother places her baby directly into the waiting arms of the family, most parents are completely in awe of the blessing the birth mother has given them. They’re amazed at the birth mother’s strength to willingly trust them with their new child. They’re overjoyed that they now have their baby in their arms!

There are lots of benefits to a domestic adoption over an international adoption. First off, there’s far less travel and expense involved. And, most domestic adoptions happen much quicker than international adoptions. The process in domestic adoption is streamlined because you’re working only with American laws and entities. In domestic adoption, most infants are born quite healthy with few medical complications. Finally, in domestic adoption, adoptive families have access to the medical records of the birth mother and the baby.

There are far fewer unknowns and uncertainty in domestic adoption. If you’ve been barred from an international adoption, or who have been told the wait will be many years, your hope can be renewed by exploring a domestic adoption.

If you have your specific questions about domestic adoption and would like to see if it’s right for you, please call Lifetime Adoption Agency Florida at 1-800-923-6784 or send us a message.