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“Words could never fully express my gratitude for your help, kindness and guidance you have given to me and my family. I am thankful for you and for all that you do every single day. Thank you for helping me find my son a good, loving home. My mind and heart are at ease. I will be forever grateful for your love and support.” – Rebecca M.

Options

Women facing unplanned pregnancies have many options available to them. Each of your options has consequences and therefore it is important that you learn as much as possible about all your options so you can make a well-informed decision.

The decision is yours to make. Family and friends may support you and allow you to make this decision or they may try to influence your decision. Just remember, you do not have to make a decision today. Take time to discuss your choices and make a decision that will empower you. Regardless of your decision, we are committed to assisting and supporting you during your pregnancy and thereafter.

Your Options include:

Parenting
Adoption
Termination

PARENTING

Parenting is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It is a wonderful experience if you are fully prepared and you have support. In order to determine if you are ready for this responsibility, you must honestly review where you are in your life and discuss this with your social worker to evaluate your readiness.

Considerations:

Can you financially support a baby?
Do you understand the needs and developmental stages of infancy, childhood and adolescence?
Do you have childcare plans when you return to work or school?
Are you emotionally stable and ready for the stressors that come with parenting?
Who will be your support system?
How will the father of the baby be involved? Will he be able to help you with parenting?
What are your career goals? What are your educational goals?
Can you provide for your child’s needs?

If you decide parenting is the right decision for you, Wyoming Children’s Society can refer you to the following community resources to help you successfully parent your child:

Prenatal/Childbirth Education
Parenting Classes/Child Development Classes
Financial Assistance Programs
Day Care
Job Training/Career Development
Continuing Education programs

ADOPTION

Making an adoption plan is a loving and selfless decision. It is a responsible plan and takes time and commitment on your part.

If you choose to make an adoption plan, you have many decisions to make. Adoption has changed greatly over the years. Today, you can choose the family to parent your child. You can meet them and decide how much communication and contact you would like with the adoptive family following placement. Your social worker will help you throughout this process and after the placement to ensure you are healing and feeling at peace with your decision.

Making an adoption plan is as unique and special as each of the parties involved and therefore these are guidelines only.

If you would like to view profiles of familes waiting to adopt please click here.

TYPES OF ADOPTION:

Open Adoption – In an open adoption, the birthparents can decide the level of communication. It is a relationship between the birthfamily and the adoptive family. The relationship is built on mutual trust and respect and always honors the best interest of the child.Open adoption may involve sharing identifying information such as last names, phone numbers, place of residence and email addresses. Letter and photos are shared directly between the parties. Visits can occur following placement as often as agreed upon by the adoptive parents and the birthparents. It is important that the expectations of each party be openly discussed prior to placement.
Semi-Open Adoption – In a semi-open adoption, the birthparents usually select the family by reviewing profiles of waiting families. They will then meet the family, although identifying information is not shared. Communication is facilitated through Wyoming Children’s Society. The adoptive family will send letters and photos through Wyoming Children’s Society to the birthparents. Visits may occur after placement, and all visits are facilitated by the agency.
Closed Adoption – In a closed adoption, the birthparents may choose to select the adoptive family for their child or request that the Wyoming Children’s Society select the family. Customarily a closed adoption indicates that the birthparents do not wish to have visits or ongoing contact with the adoptive family prior to or after the baby is placed.

TERMINATION

The Wyoming Children’s Society does not provide termination counseling. If you have experienced termination of a pregnancy and are dealing with feelings of grief and loss, we can assist you in accessing support services.