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Unplanned Pregnancy

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We are so glad that you have found our website. Facing an unplanned pregnancy changes your life in many ways. You are now not only looking out for yourself but also for your unborn baby. We know that making decisions for both of you is challenging. We hope that the information provided here will be helpful.

We will stand by you and support you whether you pursue adoption or decide to parent the child yourself. All birthparent counseling is at no cost to you.

Open Adoption
There are many choices in adoption today. You can meet and choose the family. You can receive pictures and letters about the child throughout his/her whole life. You can send him/her pictures, letters, and gifts. In many cases, you may visit the child in a neutral location or at his/her home. There is still grief and loss on your part as you are relinquishing your rights to parent the child. However, you can always know how your child is doing. You can decide whether or not to share identifying/confidential information with the adoptive parents.

Know that there are caring and compassionate counselors here waiting to talk to you about this very important time in your life and in the life of your child.

Especially for Birthfathers
We are so glad you are taking an active role in your unborn child's life. You are very important to this baby. Your life has been changed by this pregnancy and you now must make decisions in the best interest of your child. If you can work together with the birthmother, this is best. But what if you and she want different things?

If you think adoption is best but she wants to parent, talking with her and expressing your feelings is very important. If she does parent, you will be responsible for paying child support and being a FATHER to your child. If she is pursuing adoption but you want to parent, you must prove your paternity and your ability to parent. You will then enter a custody dispute in court.

If you both agree adoption is best, you have the right to see the baby, meet the adoptive parents, and participate in creating the adoption plan.

At the Hospital

1.	You will create a hospital plan prior to delivery in order to inform everyone involved of your wishes.
2.	You will have the right to stay in the hospital with the baby up to 48 hours after the baby is born.
3.	You will be able to hold the baby, feed the baby, and bond with the baby.
4.	If you prefer, you may choose to have the baby spend some of the time, especially when you are asleep, in the nursery.
5.	You may have whoever you would like in the delivery room with you. Some birthmothers choose to have the adoptive parents in the room; others do not.
6.	You may order newborn photographs of the baby and receive the baby's footprints.
7.	You may name the baby or choose to write the name the adoptive parents choose on the birth certificate.
8.	You may have the adoptive parents visit you and the baby in the hospital or you may request that they not see you or the baby until after you leave the hospital.
9.	Your birthparent counselor will visit you in the hospital and support you.
10.	On the day of your discharge from the hospital, your birthparent counselor will have you sign paperwork that allows Bethany to take temporary custody of your child and place him or her in the adoptive home. You are still able to change your mind at this point.
11.	You will spend some time alone with the baby while your counselor is having the adoptive parents sign necessary paperwork.
12.	A placement ceremony will be performed, if you choose, and you, the baby, and the adoptive parents will all receive a blessing.
13.	You may choose to leave the hospital before, after, or at the same time as the adoptive family.
14.	Your birthparent counselor will support you during this difficult time.

The Legal Process
If you choose adoption for your baby . . . we will stand by you throughout the process.

In Colorado, the legal process is as follows:

• You and the birthfather must sign relinquishment papers after the baby is born.
• You go to court for a brief, private hearing in which the magistrate makes sure that you are sure about your adoption plan.
• If the birthfather refuses to relinquish his rights, he must appear in court himself or send an attorney, pay for and take a paternity test, and present a viable parenting plan to the court.
• If the birthfather signs to relinquish his rights and then you change your mind and decide to parent, you may still file for child support.
• The baby will not change his/her name to the adoptive parents' last name until six months after the birth when they go to court by themselves to finalize the adoption.