Deciding Between Open vs. Closed Adoption in Georgia

You already made the brave step of considering adoption for your baby. Now you might be wondering, "What happens after placement?"

Do you want to stay in touch with your child and their adoptive family? Or do you feel more at peace having some distance? Deciding between open vs. closed adoption is a big part of shaping your journey.

In this guide, we'll walk through the difference between open and closed adoption and how to decide what's best for you. If you want to learn more about your options, you can contact us online or call 1-800-ADOPTION.

What’s the Difference Between Open and Closed Adoption?

The biggest difference between open and closed adoption is how much contact you have with your child and their adoptive family after placement.

Open adoption means you stay connected in some way. This looks different for everyone, but it might include:

• Emails

• Phone calls

• Photo updates and letters

• In-person visits

• Social media

Open adoption lets you build a relationship with your child and their adoptive family over time. You get to watch your child grow and stay involved in a way that feels right for you.

Closed adoption, on the other hand, means no contact or identifying information is shared. You may still choose the adoptive family and create a birth plan, but after placement, all communication stops. Some birth parents choose this path for privacy, emotional healing or to avoid revisiting painful memories.

Deciding Between Open and Closed Adoption

You don’t need to have everything figured out right now. Many women start the process unsure of what kind of contact they want. That’s completely okay. We’ll support you every step of the way.

When you're ready, your adoption specialist will talk with you about your preferences and help you find waiting families that align with what you're looking for.

All of our adoptive families are open to phone calls and emails as well as one in-person visit within the first five years. Some families are open to more contact, so it depends on what you want for your future.

If you're not sure how much contact you want right now, a semi-open adoption can give you flexibility. We mediate communication between you and the adoptive family in this type of adoption. If you ever want to reach out more directly later, we can help you do that.

What Are the Benefits of Open vs. Closed Adoption?

Open adoption comes with many benefits, especially when everyone involved is committed to healthy communication.

Because of these benefits, open adoption is the most common type of adoption today. However, closed adoption is still an option. It might be right for you if:

• You're not emotionally ready to stay in contact

• You want privacy or safety

• You feel staying involved would be too painful

Whatever you choose, your reasons are valid. But you don’t have to completely cut off all communication forever. You can have a semi-open adoption instead of a closed one in case your situation or preferences change in the future.

Moving Forward With Adoption in Georgia

Choosing between open and closed adoption is deeply personal. There is no right or wrong answer — only what’s best for you and your baby.

If you're still unsure, that’s okay. We can help you explore your options, talk through your feelings and connect you with waiting families who match what you're looking for.

Reach out today to get free adoption information. You can also browse profiles of waiting families online.

Disclaimer
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