Searching for an Adoption Agency Near You? Let Us Help

Young women who have recently learned they are pregnant often face a lot of fear and uncertainty. An unplanned pregnancy might make you feel scared and alone. But knowing your options can help you feel in control of your life again.

We understand the struggle you are going through, and we’re here to help you through it. Find out how St. Elizabeth Foundation can give you the information and support you need to help you feel empowered and feel in control again.

Understanding Your Options

You may not feel like it right now, but you’re stronger than you think. That’s why St. Elizabeth is dedicated to supporting you from the beginning. When you contact us, we will connect you with a kind and experienced counselor. This pressure-free meeting will help you understand your options and get your questions answered. 

Knowing what you can do is the first step to taking control of your life. And once you understand what you can do, you can decide which choice makes the most sense. Our counselors are ready to support you through this process, one step at a time.

Searching for an Adoption Agency Near You? We’re Here to Help

Meeting with a St. Elizabeth counselor gives you a chance to learn which choice will make the most sense in your life. And, if you decide that an adoption plan is right for you, we will hold your hand through each step of the process. And this includes choosing a family for your baby.

We will find the best candidates to provide your baby with a loving home, and you will get to select your baby’s family. This means that you will choose the parents who care for your baby. You are in charge of this process. And we will give you the information and assistance you need to help you throughout.

Supporting You Through It All

An unplanned pregnancy can bring challenges. But when it comes to living, medical, legal, and counseling costs, you don’t have to face them alone. We provide pregnancy assistance to reduce your stress and help you get relief. This assistance can give you the safety and security you need when you need it most.

We understand what a big decision it can be to choose an adoption plan. But if you make that choice, we will be there for you through the entire process, including after your child is born. St. Elizabeth Foundation provides post-placement counseling. This gives you emotional support after your baby’s adoption.

Reach Out to Us

An unplanned pregnancy can make you feel scared and powerless. But learning about the options available to you can make all the difference. Choosing adoption gives you the power to bring love into the world and find a nurturing home for your baby. And if it’s what you decide you want to do, St. Elizabeth Foundation is dedicated to supporting you through it.

The choice is yours, and you should have all the information you need to make the best decision for you. If you’re looking for an adoption agency near you, call us at 225-769-8888 or visit our contact page to get in touch with a St. Elizabeth counselor. Your conversation will be confidential and judgment-free.

Unplanned Pregnancy – What to do Next?

A hundred thoughts and emotions can threaten to overwhelm a woman when she finds out she’s pregnant. Multiply that by a thousand if the pregnancy is unplanned. When you’re not expecting to have a child yet, what should be a beautiful, joyous thing suddenly becomes terrifying. There are so many worries flying through your head that you can’t keep up. How can I raise a child? Will I have to do it on my own? Does this put my future on hold? Can I afford it? What will my friends and family think? What do I do?

First off, take a deep breath. 

It’s going to be okay. We know this is an overwhelming experience, so even though it might sound silly and obvious, it’s important to remember to breathe. Calming, deep breaths can center your mind and help you focus on one thing at a time. Because you do have options, and looking at each option with a clear head can help you understand which is the best path for your future, and the future of your unborn child. 

Second, look at your options. 

When dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, there’s nothing more important than fully understanding the positives and negatives of each of the following options. You can do so by asking yourself questions and then seeking the advice of a professional. 

  1. Parenting 
    • Am I ready to raise a child? 
    • Do I have the finances to support the child? 
    • Will my child have a father figure in his or her life?
    • Who can help me raise the child?
  2. Abortion
    • What are the health risks of an abortion? 
    • What will my friends and family think of this decision? 
    • Is it really the best solution? 
    • How much does it cost?
    • Will I regret this decision?
  3. Adoption
    • What’s the process of adoption? 
    • Will I get to see my child after they are adopted? Can I be involved in their life? 
    • Does it cost anything? 
    • What will my child think of me?
    • Do I want another family to raise my child? 

Some of these questions only you can answer. However, many of them can and should be answered by a healthcare or adoption professional. 

Third, talk to doctors, counselors, and professionals.

Go to your doctor, a clinic, a therapist–anyone who either has the knowledge to help you through this experience. They can properly walk you through each question and decision you have to make by providing you with information about each option. 

If you’re looking at adoption as a possible path, there are many adoption agencies out there, like St. Elizabeth Foundation, that will guide you through the process of adoption with a warm and welcoming hand. Our priority is to your unborn child, and to you. To find the best home they could possibly ask for, with the best chance for a bright future. Learn more about what to expect here. 

Finally, come to terms with your decision. 

It can be a struggle to come to terms with your decision. No matter what, you might always wish that things would’ve been different. But time heals many wounds, and knowing that you’ve done what’s best for you and your child is the comfort you need. 

Are You Wondering How to Adopt a Baby in Louisiana?

Parents come in all shapes and sizes. We know that well in St. Elizabeth Foundation. But not everybody qualifies to be an adoptive parent. Discover more and find out how to adopt a baby in Louisiana from the professionals at St Elizabeth. 

Requirements to Adopt

As with many things in life, there are certain requirements you have to fulfill to take part in them. The same thing goes for adoption. In the state of Louisiana, potential adoptive parents must meet the following requirements:

  • Potential adoptive parents must have enough bedroom space for an incoming child. Of course, there are some loopholes to this. For example, a child may share a bedroom with another child of the same sex. However, they cannot share with anyone over the age of 18.
  • Potential parents must also have enough income to meet their family’s needs. Some people may see this as discriminatory, but trust us when we say that it isn’t. It is to ensure that the family can afford to raise a new child and that they have the best quality of life possible.
  • In the state of Louisiana, adoptive parents can be single, married, divorced, or widowed. However, at St. Elizabeth, we choose couples who have been married for at least five years. Like with everything else, we do this because we want children to have their best shot at life. 
  • Did you know that foster/adoptive parents cannot have more than five children under the age of 18? And this includes foster children and their own children. While it may seem odd at first, it ensures the children have the best quality of life.
  • Has someone residing in your home been convicted of certain criminal offenses? If so, you may not be able to adopt.
  • Adoptive parents must also be healthy and mentally stable. Every adult in the home has to provide a medical statement completed by a physician. This statement should indicate they are free of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis. If you or someone else in the home does have a communicable disease, don’t worry—it’s not the end. All you need is a note from a physician saying that you are compliant with your treatment.

If you have any questions about the requirements to become an adoptive parent in Louisiana, don’t be afraid to get in contact with us. We’re more than happy to help you, especially if you’re looking for a new bundle of joy in your life.

St. Elizabeth Process

Want to see if you qualify for St. Elizabeth? All you have to do is go through our simple process. After filling out a formal application, we review it and begin a home study. If you pass our home study, we move you to our education program. This program helps you learn more about adoption and how to become the best adoptive parent you can be. After all, adoption isn’t only about your interests—it’s also about the child. After, we go through any legal necessities and help the birth mother choose the right family for her. At this stage, she is shown a family profile book and can choose the perfect family. 

Simple, right? Of course, every adoption situation is different, so your experience may have differences from others. But that’s why we’re here every step of the way.

Getting In Contact With St. Elizabeth

There are several ways to go about adoption in the state of Louisiana. If you choose us, we’re more than happy to help you with every step in your adoption journey. So, why wait? Begin the process today, and get in touch with one of our representatives.