Lately I have featured a few news articles about programs for women who are experiencing unplanned pregnancies with little financial resources or family support. I will continue to feature these programs as I come across them as they could possibly help an expectant mother who might be reading.

In the Clarion Ledger out of Jackson, Mississippi (which is where I grew up!) there is an article about one of these programs called “Christmas Village.”

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I’m a planner by nature. I like to plan things out ahead of time so I can have some of idea of how things will flow. I think it’s inbred in my genes. My dad used to even plan the potty breaks in our vacation itineraries as a child! So it wasn’t surprising to me or to anyone who knew me very well that during my pregnancy with Charlie I would be planning how his birth would go.

Unfortunately, no amount of planning can prepare you for the unexpected. While pregnancies and giving birth occurs daily, no two pregnancies are the same. No matter how routine or normal... more

There are a lot of laws involving adoption. While you may not be a legal expert, you can still read up a little bit on the adoption laws in order to be prepared for what is up coming as well as to protect yourself. There are no federally mandated adoption laws. The laws differ from state to state.

There are laws that dictate when you can sign papers terminating your parental rights. Some states require you to wait a certain amount of time after the birth of your baby before you can sign relinquishment papers. For example, in Arizona you can not sign until... more

One of the reasons you may be considering adoption could be that you have not finished your schooling. Perhaps you are still in high school and want to graduate or maybe you are currently in college pursuing a degree or about to begin college.

Finishing your education while parenting may seem impossible but in today’s era, it’s not. Of course, it will be difficult and undoubtedly there will be challenges and obstacles, but it is a reachable goal. Nowadays, there are many alternative schools and college programs that will assist young mothers... more

As I conclude this hospital series, I think I should give some space to leaving the hospital. Leaving the hospital was emotional for me as I felt like in some ways I was also leaving my son. We had spent those three days together in the hospital and I knew that we would no longer be together once I walked through the big double doors.

Give some thought to how you will be leaving the hospital when it is time to go home. Will the baby be leaving the hospital with you or going with the adoptive parents? Do you wish to leave at the same time as the adoptive... more

This is a second interview in my series speaking with young mothers who experienced and unplanned/crisis pregnancy. Although the stories are different, each of these young women have some valuable insight because of the situations they experienced, and the decisions they ultimately made.

The second of these ladies is Amy and she is mother to one son who is now seven years old. When Amy found she was pregnant, she was just sixteen years old. The pregnancy was unplanned and when the father found out he became scared and ran. Amy was living... more

Some of you may be wondering what I am doing on the unplanned/crisis pregnancy blog. No, I have never experienced an unplanned pregnancy, or even a pregnancy for that matter, but I am familiar with two young ladies in my church who have, and I wanted to share their experiences with the readers here. Neither of these young ladies ended up making an adoption plan, both are successfully parenting their children and I have been able to witness them make the transition from a time of crisis and frustration, to a place of achievement and lessons... more

“She won’t always be 16, but she will always be Austin’s mother.”

I was half paying attention to an old Judging Amy re-run on television the other day, when I heard one of the characters, Maxine (who is a social worker) say the above quote. I really hadn’t been paying too much attention to the show but the quote caught my attention. The quote was said by Maxine to the judge on the behalf of a young mother who I can only assume was on the verge... more

Keepsake items are important to any new mother but they are very important to birthmothers because they provide her with a tangible way to remember her child and remember the short time they spent together in the hospital.

Keepsake items are going to differ from mother to mother. What I consider a treasured item may not be a treasure to the next mother, so keep what is meaningful and important to you.

These items are YOURS to keep. If you are worried about your child’s adoptive mother receiving any of the keepsake items, talk with the hospital staff.... more

“You must say hello before you can say goodbye.”

I am a very firm believer in this statement, although I’d never force seeing her baby on any expectant mom making an adoption plan, but I think that if you do not spend time with your baby while in the hospital you might regret it later. I don’t know any birthmother who regrets the time she spent with her baby. In fact, I regret not spending enough one on one time with Charlie.

Why would a placing mother not want to see or spend time with her baby? Perhaps she... more