There’s a new article in the About.com’s Adoption section all about adoption agencies. The article is geared towards expectant mothers considering adoption and hopeful adoptive couples each looking for adoption agencies to work with. It contains advice from a birthmother and an adoptive mother. It tells you warning signs to look out for letting you know that a particular agency might not be so good and positive signs that point out good, reputable agencies.

Below are a few of the highlights from the article, but you really should read it in it’s entirety. Good information!

Warning sign:
Agencies that advertise big budgets to "recruit" birth mothers. This feels like the adoption agency is aggressive and more likely to pressure young women.

This makes total sense but wasn’t something that clicked in my brain until I read it.

Another warning sign:
Agencies that advertise luxurious quarters for pregnant women to stay during their pregnancies. Not only does this seem like another way to recruit young women but it also indicates that they may be making huge profits on adoption to have fancy housing available for young women. Also, providing housing, etc. may make young pregnant women feel indebted and unable to change their minds about relinquishment.

I thought this was an excellent point too. Of course, most agencies can help with housing, but if they are advertising and showing pictures off of gorgeous, luxurious apartments – that’s something to be concerned about.

And a few of the positive signs:

• An agency where a very small proportion of women or families who walk through the door decide to place their children for adoption.



• An agency that is commited to open adoption and can provide lots of support and education around that.



• Agencies that seem to understand the complexities of adoption and are honest about it.

There are the highlights. Read the article for more info!