Adoption may be one of the most greatest gifts a mother can give her child. Here are the 10 most asked questions we hear concerning adoption:

1. How can adoption be good for my baby and me?
If you are not ready to be a parent, you can still give your baby the gift of life by choosing adoption. Your agency will work with you to select a stable, loving family to care for your baby. After birth, if you choose, you can see your baby, name your baby, and spend time with your baby. You can also choose to get updates on your child's progress or have ongoing visits throughout your child's life while you continue your education or career goals. Finally, you can be proud that you chose life for your baby.

2. Can I choose a family for my baby?
Yes! Most agencies have couples from a variety of backgrounds that have been screened and approved. There are additional options such as choosing a friend, and acquaintance, or someone who has been recommended to you. Your agency will discuss these options with you.

3. How much contact can I have with my baby after birth and after adoption?
You may have as much contact with your baby at the hospital as you desire. When planning your child's adoption, you can choose an open adoption plan that allows ongoing visits with your child, or you can choose a less open adoption that keeps you informed about your child's progress though letters and pictures. Adoptive families respect your need to know that your child is loved and happy, If you prefer not to have any ongoing contact with your child and adoptive family, confidential adoption plans are also possible.

4. How soon after birth can my baby go to the parents I choose?
The timing of your child's placement depends on three factors:
- Your preference for the timing of placement.
- Legal aspects of the adoption, which may vary from state to state.
- The cooperation of the birthfather.
Many birthmothers want their baby placed with the adoptive family directly from the hospital. Some women prefer to place their baby in temporary care while they consider their adoption decision.

5. How much will my child know about me?
That depends on what type of adoption plan you choose: open, semi-open, or confidential. Your agency will encourage you to provide your complete medical and social history to your child, no matter what type of adoption plan you make. You may choose to share your identity and where you live with the adoptive family. If you've made an open adoption plan, you can have ongoing, direct contact with your child and the adoptive family.

6. Does the birthfather have any rights?
Both you and the birthfather have rights. If you disagree about adoption or you no longer have a relationship with him, your adoption agency will work with the birthfather and /or the courts to determine if his rights can be terminated.

7. Will my child have information about his or her birthfather?
Hopefully, yes. This will depend on the birthfathers cooperation with you and the staff of your adoption agency. Most birthfathers give their complete medical and social history, recognizing how important it is for the child. At other times, only the information you provide will be available.

8. Can my child find me if he or she wants to search someday?
The laws in your state determine when and how your child may have access to information in the adoption file. Your caseworker will explain the current laws as they apply to your adoption plan.

9. How can I be sure my child will not be neglected or abused?
Adoptive families approved by your agency must meet standards that are shared with you. Adoption agencies make every attempt to complete a thorough assessment of potential adoptive families. Prior to finalizing the adoption, the agency will make home visits to ensure the child's well-being. In an open adoption, you will see for yourself how well your child is cared for and how much your child is loved.

10. Do I need an attorney or do I pay my agency to assist me with the adoption?
You do not need an attorney and there are no costs to you. The adoption agency will handle all the legal details for you and the birthfather.

There are several types of abortion procedures. If you are considering abortion, please take time to read through the procedures and risks.

Abortion Procedures

RU486, Mifepristone: within 4 to 7 weeks after LMP
Also known as the Abortion Pill, this medical abortion is used for women who are within 28 to 49 days after their last menstrual period. This procedure usually requires three office visits. The RU 486 or mifepristone pills are given to the woman who returns two days later for a second medication called misoprostol. The combination of these medications causes the uterus to expel the fetus.

Early Vacuum Aspiration: within 7 weeks after LMP
This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period. The cervical muscle is stretched with dilators (metal rods) until the opening is wide enough to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. A hand held syringe is attached to tubing that is inserted into the uterus and the fetus is suctioned out.

Suction Curettage: within 6 to 14 weeks after LMP
In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and inserted several hours before the procedure). The doctor inserts tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus. One variation of this procedure is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). In this method, the doctor may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to scrape the fetal parts out of the uterus.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): within 13 to 24 weeks after LMP
This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal.

Dilation and Extraction (D&X): from 20 weeks after LMP to full-term
Also known as Partial-birth Abortion, this procedure takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. After labor begins, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the baby's legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby's head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.

Immediate Risks of Abortion
Induced abortion carries a risk of several side effects. These risks include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most abortions, no serious complications occur. However, the risk of complications is about 1 out of every 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Such complications may include:

• Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, there is a risk of hemorrhage, especially if the uterine artery is torn. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.
  
  
• Infection - There is a risk that bacteria may get into the uterus from an incomplete abortion resulting in infection. A serious infection may lead to persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.
  
  
• Incomplete Abortion - There is a risk that some fetal parts may not be removed by the abortion. Bleeding and infection may occur. RU486 may fail in up to 1 out of every 20 cases.
  
  
• Allergic Reaction to Drugs - There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used during abortion surgery. These risks include convulsions, heart attack and, in extreme cases, death.
  
  
• Tearing of the Cervix - There is a risk that the cervix may be cut or torn by abortion instruments.
  
  
• Scarring of the Uterine Lining - There is a risk that suction tubing, curettes, and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining.
  
  
• Perforation of the Uterus - There is a risk that the uterus may be punctured or torn by abortion instruments. The risk of this complication increases with the length of the pregnancy. If this occurs, major surgery, including a hysterectomy, may be required.
  
  
• Damage to Internal Organs - When the uterus is punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage will occur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.
  
  
• Death - In extreme cases, there is a risk of other physical complications from abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated uterus, and adverse reactions to anesthesia may lead to death. This complication is very rare and occurs, on average, in less than 20 cases per year.
  

• Guilt
  
• Anger
  
• Anxiety
  
• Depression
  
• Suicidal Thoughts
  
• Anniversary Grief
  
• Flashbacks of Abortion
  
• Sexual Dysfunction
  
• Relationship Problems
  
• Eating Disorders
  
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  
• Psychological Reactions