This week’s Birthmom of the Week is Amy M. Amy is originally from Oregon but is now residing in Arizona with her fiancée whom she will marry this May! Amy is a birthmom to K, a three year old, blonde haired, blue eyed cutie. Amy placed K in an open adoption that includes pictures, letters, and visits. K will be a flower girl in Amy's upcoming May wedding!

1. How old were you when you placed your child for adoption? I was 22, almost 23 years old.

2. What circumstances led you to choose adoption? I was still living at home, had no job at the time, and knew that I would have to be on welfare if I did choose to parent.

3. Did you consider parenting? Yes, but I realized that I wanted better for my child.

4. Was your child's dad supportive? At first he was not. He wanted nothing to do with me and was insistent on me having an abortion. I said absolutely not to the suggestion of abortion and after awhile, I was able to talk to him via instant messenger and reassure him that I was not going to try and trap him. When I told him I was considering adoption he was supportive. He now has a better view of me and K. He was at the hospital while I was in labor and was one of the first people to hold K. He doesn’t have direct contact with K and family now (his choice) but I do forward him pictures and keep him posted on K is progressing.

5. Were there any influences (parents, birth dad, etc) that led you to your decision? No one pressured me into this decision. It was a decision I made on my own, but an amazing counselor at the adoption agency that I went though helped me see all of my options.

6. Did you choose your child's adoptive parents and how did you choose them? I did choose the adoptive parents. My Mom helped me; we read through many “dear birthmother” letters separately and each picked the same couple, N and D, as our favorite. They seemed so down to earth. After looking at their more detailed profile packet, I fell in love, and I knew I had to meet them. They were so much like me and the birthfather. It was freaky, but I knew that they were the ones to go with.

To be continued...