7 Things To Know About Adoption In Shreveport

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If you are considering adoption and are in Shreveport, know that this is a beautiful, exciting journey that you are embarking on! You, as adoptive parents, are providing a loving home and stability to a child. But also know that it comes with many emotions and financial commitments. St. Elizabeth Foundation is excited to begin your adoption process in Louisiana and help you understand each step in the journey. Here are seven things to know going into your adoption that can make you better prepared.

Here’s What You Should Know About Adoption In Shreveport

St. Elizabeth Foundation has helped many brave mothers find homes for their babies following unplanned pregnancies. We look forward to assisting you in your adoption process, as well! We are grateful for your decision to open your hearts and your homes to a new child. Even so, we know that the road to adoption is not always easy. Here are a few points to keep in mind to help you along the way:

1. Ensure That Your Family and Spouse Are Supportive

You and your family should be on the same page when deciding to adopt. Are you and your partner both ready to parent another child or your first child? Are you both accepting of a child that isn’t biologically your own? If you already have children, have you discussed adoption with them to prepare them for a new sibling? Disagreements can spur discourse among your immediate family members and make the environment more stressful for a new child.

2. Make Sure That You Are Financially Sound

Your heart may be in the right place by desiring an adoption, but it is important to enter into your situation realistically. Adopting a newborn comes with new financial commitments, from doctor’s appointments to diapers and baby gear. Consider your expenses pre-adoption and what expenditures will be necessary for the years to come. You want to know that your family is financially equipped to support an addition to your household.

3. Decide What Type of Adoption Is Right For You

There are three main types of adoption: Open, Closed, and Semi-Open. This specifies the amount of contact the birth parents have with their child and the adoptive family once the process is complete. At St. Elizabeth’s, we allow the birth mother to choose her adoption type. You, too, should know what form of adoption is ideal for your situation going forward.

4. Get Advice From Other Adoptive Parents

The stories of other families who have gone through the adoption process are an invaluable resource. If you know adoptive parents personally, ask them about their experience! They can empathize with you as you walk through your adoption journey. You can find inspirational, insightful adoption stories through St. Elizabeth, too. Hearing their stories can help you better understand the emotional waves that you may face.

5. Be Patient, and Stay Positive!

The adoption process is not always a quick or smooth one. Take a deep breath, and remember your reasons for adopting. Lean on your support systems for understanding and encouragement. St. Elizabeth’s helps to make your adoption as simple as possible. We are available to answer any questions you have. Patience can be difficult, especially with ups and downs that may come up—but soon enough, wrinkles will be ironed out, paperwork will be finalized, and you will be on the way to welcoming a new baby into your life.

6. Remember To Care For the Biological Parents, Too

When you stand on the side of wanting to adopt, it can be difficult to understand why someone would decide against parenting their child. Understand that every birth mother has their own story. No matter the openness of your adoption, strive to care for the biological parents as much as for the baby you are adopting. The adoption journey comes with powerful emotions on both sides of the process. Make sure to extend love and kindness to all involved.

7. Research the Best Agency For Adoption Near You

You should be able to trust the adoption agency that you pursue. They connect you to your future child and provide invaluable support and education throughout each step of the adoption process. Make sure that you feel comfortable establishing open communication with your agency and sharing your highs and lows with them. They help you to understand and meet the requirements for adoption. This ensures that your home and finances are all in the right place before bringing a new child into your space.

Adopting With St. Elizabeth’s

If you are parents in Shreveport and are ready to move forward with your adoption, St. Elizabeth’s looks forward to helping you take the first steps. Call us today at (225) 769-8888, or request more information on our website. We know that this can come with fears and doubts, but we are here to guide you through the adoption process!

5 Tips For An Unplanned Pregnancy In New Orleans

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Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy in New Orleans? You may feel unprepared to be a parent, and you may not know who to confide in for support. Don’t be overwhelmed—St. Elizabeth Foundation is here to help you understand and work through your possibilities! Looking at your impending decisions can freeze you in your tracks. That’s where these five tips can help. Follow these helpful pointers to calm your mind and then make your plan for moving forward.

Here Are Five Helpful Tips

In the wake of an unplanned pregnancy, your thoughts and judgment can feel jumbled. Do you parent your child, or do you choose an alternative? How do you deal with the financial and emotional facets of the news? Where do you turn for support? Here are five tips to help you cope with an unintended pregnancy and determine what to do next:

1. Breathe!

Many emotions come with the knowledge of an unplanned pregnancy. Some may feel excited about the news once the initial surprise settles. For many others, they are left feeling scared, confused, and embarrassed. You may feel like you have to decide on the spot about how to go forward with your pregnancy. But our first tip for you is this—take a moment to breathe. Allow yourself time to catch your breath and ground yourself. Make space to cope with your current situation. Then, you will be more able to make a well-informed decision that is best for you and your baby.

2. Consult With Your Doctor

First, your doctor will both confirm your pregnancy and evaluate your health. During a prenatal appointment, your physician will assess your physical health and lifestyle habits. They will give you advice and instructions to take the best care of your body and your baby. Even if you decide against parenting your baby, it is important to stay as healthy as possible to avoid complications. Stop using cigarettes or drinking alcohol, and consult with your doctor about any medications you are taking. Begin the stages of focusing on your physical health for your safety and your baby’s, even if you are still coming to your final decision.

3. Cement Your Support System

We know that an unintended pregnancy can leave you feeling isolated, but we want you to know that you aren’t alone. Find support with your partner, your family, or your friends. Sadly, there is the chance that not everyone will be supportive of your news or your decisions. Just remember—your choices are yours to make, and you decide who is allowed to be near you throughout the process. If you need extra support from an unbiased source, St. Elizabeth’s also offers free counseling services to give you another listening ear as you navigate these new waters. Our staff is dedicated to helping you find answers, solutions, and support.

4. Know Your Options

First, know that you have options! You are not pigeon-holed into one solution. Consider which of three options are best for you and your child: adoption, abortion, or parenting your baby. Visualize yourself in each of these positions. How would you feel after making your decision? Can you picture yourself as a mother? Are you financially able to support a child yourself? These are all valid questions to consider to help you reach your final decision. This is another way that our counseling services can help you process your unplanned pregnancy.

5. Create Your Plan

Once you have settled on your decision, it is time to make your actionable plan. Consult with necessary doctors and professionals who can help you through your next steps. At St. Elizabeth’s, we connect expectant mothers with adoptive parents. We also help you with financial burdens and birth planning. If you choose adoption or find after birth that you are not able to parent your child, we can help you find a loving home for your baby in open, semi-closed, or closed adoptions!

Find Solutions To Your Unplanned Pregnancy In New Orleans

If you are determining your next steps for an unplanned pregnancy in or near New Orleans, St. Elizabeth Foundation is here to help. St. Elizabeth’s is your safe haven for judgment-free care and counseling. We make sure that you know every option that is available to you and help you settle on the best decision for you and your baby. If you decide that adoption is right for you, we are prepared to help you find safe, loving homes for your child. Call us at 225-769-8888 or send us a message. We are here to support you with education and free resources during this time of uncertainty so that you can find your resolution.

3 Options for Unplanned Pregnancy: What’s Best for You?

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Pregnancy isn’t always planned. Sometimes, you may know exactly how you want to move forward. For others, the decision is much more difficult. This is why it’s important to understand the choices in front of you. So, what are your options for an unplanned pregnancy? At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we make sure you know every option available so that you make the right choice for yourself and your baby.

Here Are Your Options For Unplanned Pregnancy

If you learn that you are pregnant and are not sure what to do—don’t panic! Here are the three possible options for unplanned pregnancy. Each comes with its own set of emotions and considerations. Take time to determine the best option for you. 

1. Parent Your Child

Even though your pregnancy is unintended, you may consider parenting your child. Counselors, family, friends, or healthcare professionals can offer guidance on carrying and parenting your child. Many factors can influence this option, like your health and financial stability. Consider who can help you raise or care for your baby, where they will live, and what expenses you should prepare for, both pre and post-delivery. If you decide that parenting your child is not the right decision for you, don’t worry. There are other options.

2. Adoption

You may parent your child and find that parenthood is not the best decision for you or your new baby. Or, you may know from the onset that you do not want to parent your child. Adoption is a solution for multiple parties involved. Everyone brings a different story to the table. For some families, having children of their own is not possible. For others, they are simply passionate about adoption itself. Adoption allows you to give your child a safe, healthy home with a loving family. With St. Elizabeth Foundation, you can connect with potential adoptive parents in a closed, semi-open, or open adoption. The choice is yours, and we give you full control from start to finish.

3. Abortion

Abortion is the most permanent decision available. An unintended pregnancy can be terminated within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, or the first trimester. Surgical abortions can be performed up to the early stages of your second trimester. Depending on your state’s laws or how far along you are in your pregnancy, abortion may not be a considerable option. Following your abortion, you should follow up with your provider regarding side effects or confirming a completed abortion. Termination can also lead to a range of emotions. Consider speaking with a counselor if you experience any symptoms of depression or anxiety.

So, What Is The Right Choice For You?

We hope that you feel some relief knowing that there are several options ahead of you. You are not cornered into one option for your unplanned pregnancy. However, this does not make your decision any easier. It is up to you to determine the right choice for your needs, but know that you don’t have to figure it out alone. St. Elizabeth Foundation is your friend in a season of confusion. Our adoption agency was founded to help young women find support during unintended pregnancies—before, during, and after delivery.

From counseling services to financial aid, St. Elizabeth helps you to take care of yourself and your baby, no matter what decision you come to. Find free counseling services to help you understand each of your options. Determine your action plan. If you choose adoption or find that parenting your child is not a viable option, St. Elizabeth can connect you to loving parents to nurture your baby. We can step you through closed, semi-open, and open adoptions while providing you with emotional support from start to finish.

Find Your Answers At St. Elizabeth 

Are you working through your options for an unplanned pregnancy? Contact St. Elizabeth Foundation today at 225-769-8888 or here on our website. Our staff is ready to provide you with the kindness and support you need as you find your answers. Reach out to us today to set up free counseling or to begin your adoption journey.

Abortion Alternatives: Find Adoptive Parents in Louisiana

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Pregnancy can be an exciting experience—but this isn’t always the case. When unplanned and unintended, it can have the opposite effect. You may feel scared, confused, and alone. You may not know how to move forward. But not all is lost. St. Elizabeth Foundation gives you a resting place when life feels as though it has been turned upside down. Our Louisiana adoption agency offers you abortion alternatives through adoption. Let us help you determine the right plan of action for you and your baby. 

What Are Your Alternatives For Abortion In Louisiana?

Figuring out the next steps of an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming. While abortion is often seen as the fastest “fix,” there are alternatives available to you. Adoption offers a fresh start for your child in the care of a loving, nurturing home. With an open adoption, you can remain involved in your child’s life even after the adoption process. You can stay in contact with the family and organize visits with your baby. On the other hand, if you decide that a closed adoption is better suited for you and your baby’s needs, your contact with the adoptive family will be minimal or fully confidential. The choice is yours, and St. Elizabeth is here to help you make the choice that is best for you.

Whatever you decide, we know that the process can be wrought with questions. Our counselors at St. Elizabeth’s offer free services to help you understand your choices. We provide a listening ear and compassionate advice so that you can find the answers you need.

Finding Caring Parents Through St. Elizabeth

If you have opted for adoption, choosing the best family for your baby can still be challenging. This can be a vulnerable process as you determine who will give your baby a safe, promising future. At St. Elizabeth, we have helped connect over 600 babies to adoptive parents. View our family profiles of eager, caring parents. Each of our adopting couples is made up of loving fathers and mothers who are ready to introduce a child into their loving home. From beginning to end, you are in control of the adoption process. Choose an open or closed adoption. Handpick the family that you deem right for your baby. Establish your hospital and delivery plan. 

We know that many factors go into this process. St. Elizabeth’s trained counselors are here to provide emotional support and financial guidance. We can help you figure out the healthiest steps for you and your baby. Our birth mothers come first, and we make sure that you know every option available to you. Our caring, judgment-free staff is here to make you feel comfortable, hear your worries and concerns, and walk with you through every step of your adoption journey. 

St. Elizabeth Foundation: Your Free Resource

If you find yourself in an unintended pregnancy, you may not know where to turn. St. Elizabeth Foundation supports you with free resources to help with counseling, medical costs, and connecting you with adoptive parents. We can supply you with abortion alternatives in Louisiana and support you throughout the process. Talk with our experienced counselors. Meet adoptive parents, and choose the right match for your baby. Find continued emotional support after birth and adoption with post-placement counseling. 
At St. Elizabeth, we give you a hand to hold as you navigate these new and uncertain waters. Our trusted, non-profit agency has offered care and solutions for unplanned pregnancy and adoption since 1988. We are ready to help you find adoptive parents for your child. Contact us today at 225-769-8888, or message us online. We are ready to help you make the decision that is right for you.

3 Reasons to Choose Adoption

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If you’ve recently learned that you are pregnant and the pregnancy wasn’t planned, it can be a challenging experience. You may be thinking about your own future as well as the future of your unborn child. However, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to face these challenges alone. There are several choices available to you, even if it can seem difficult to decide the best way forward. St. Elizabeth Foundation has helped hundreds of mothers find loving families for their children. So, if you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, it may be a good idea to consider some of the reasons why adoption could be the best choice. Learn more about the adoption process and discover how St. Elizabeth Foundation continues to help mothers just like you. 

3 Advantages of Choosing Adoption

Again, if you’ve learned that you are pregnant and the pregnancy was unplanned, it can be wise to take some time to weigh your options before deciding what to do next. If you choose adoption through St. Elizabeth Foundation, there are several advantages that can come with it. Learn more about these benefits to see if adoption could be the right choice for you.

Support

One of the biggest and most immediate benefits of choosing an adoption plan with St. Elizabeth Foundation is the invaluable support it can provide for birth mothers. In addition to offering emotional support from caring and experienced counselors, we can also provide monetary assistance with living, medical, and legal costs. So, from the start of your pregnancy to the completion of your adoption plan, we are with you.

Choosing Your Child’s Family

When you choose an adoption plan with St. Elizabeth Foundation, you also have the option to choose your child’s family. Each family is carefully screened to give birth mothers added peace of mind before making a decision. Once a birth mother is ready to begin the process, she can explore individual profiles of families who would like to adopt. These profiles contain important information about each family, including a biography and photographs as well as their plans and hopes for the future. In addition, you can also meet with a family before making your decision to help you feel more secure in your choice. Ultimately, you have the final say when it comes to the family that will raise your child.

Potentially Greater Opportunities

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and are considering adoption, the choice may not be simple. However, if you are concerned with the child’s best interests and would feel better knowing that a loving family is ready to welcome them, it can be a relief. However, it’s also helpful to know that adoption can also be beneficial for the birth mother as well. Instead of giving up on dreams or career goals to care for a child, it’s possible to continue pursuing both. Did you know that women who place a baby for adoption in Louisiana tend to: 

  • Have better-paying jobs.
  • Finish high school more often.
  • Get more job training and education.

So, it’s worth considering the potential positive impact on both yourself and your child when it comes to adoption.

If You’re Struggling With an Unplanned Pregnancy, Explore Adoption

If you aren’t sure what to do next, it could help to speak with a St. Elizabeth Foundation counselor. This conversation is judgment-free and confidential with the goal of helping you find the choice that’s right for you, even if it isn’t adoption. To get in touch with us, call 225-769-8888 or contact us online. When you feel like there’s no one out there who you can talk to, we’re here for you.

Is Adoption Right For You?

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Our lives are full of twists and turns. But no matter what brought you here, adoption may be the choice for you. Adoption is a beautiful choice that can add to your growing family. Although, the real question is if it’s right for you and your family. Discover what adoption typically entails and see if you can find your next family member with St. Elizabeth Foundation in Lafayette. We look forward to helping you learn more about the adoption process.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before you make a serious decision, it’s always good to ask yourself if this is the right choice for you and your family. But what should you ask yourself before pursuing adoption? While every experience needs different questions, here are some that may put you on the right path.

  • Am I okay with not being related to the child? While we may believe that blood has little to do with family, not everyone agrees. 
  • Can I afford it? A child is a lot of money. It’s always best to make sure that you have the money to support yourself and a new child comfortably. 
  • Am I doing this because I want to, or because I feel like I have to? There’s a big push in the South regarding the “biological clock.” This presumes that you have to have a child or else your family isn’t complete. But every family is different, and your needs might not be what you think they are. 
  • Am I okay with birth parent contact? Louisiana is a closed-adoption state. But when you go through an agency like ours, semi-open and open adoptions are possible. And this choice is entirely up to the birth parent at St. Elizabeth Foundation.
  • Do I need to go through any grief? If you want to choose adoption due to infertility, it’s very common to feel grief. But adopting won’t remove that grief like you think it might. Perhaps think about going through care in order to better prepare yourself so you can give your possible adoptive child the best outcome.
  • Why do I want to adopt? This question may seem simple. But everyone’s reasoning can come from a different place. Look at your motivations and see if your reasoning is what’s healthy for you and your new possible child.

And, of course, because everyone’s situation and needs are different, there may be questions that don’t apply to you or more that you need to ask yourself. So before you make a decision, ask yourself the important questions. And see if adoption is the right choice for you. 

St. Elizabeth Requirements

At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we pride ourselves on finding the right parents for babies who just need a family. Discover more about our adoption process and see if you qualify! Currently, we require couples to be married for a minimum of five years in order to qualify to apply and begin the process.

After you qualify, we begin the home study process. While this does take some time, this is important to ensure your home meets our standards. During this time, families must undergo background checks, visits, emotional and relationship assessments, and parenting philosophy discussions. 

Prospective parents can also look forward to our education program. This helps to inform parents about the unique attributes that adoptive parents face, how to help your children understand adoption, and more. Also, in order for our expectant mothers to get to know you, we also have you create a family profile book. With this, she can choose you to parent her child. 

Finally, we help you finalize your adoption by the court. Depending on the type of adoption, this can go a little differently than others. If you have any questions about this or any other part of the adoption process and how it might look for your family in Lafayette, make sure to give us a call. 

Ready To Choose Adoption For Your Lafayette Family?

Our adoption agency is ready to help your Lafayette family begin the process for your new family member. If you have any questions about our process or want to know more about our organization, feel free to give us a call at 225-769-8888. We’re here to help you make the right decision for your family.

Unplanned Pregnancy: How Adoption Can Be the Best Choice

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If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you have the power to choose what happens next for yourself and your unborn child. Sometimes the choice can seem overwhelming. And, it isn’t always clear which path will be the best one. For over 30 years, St. Elizabeth has helped women navigate these decisions. These women have spoken with our counselors, discussed their concerns, and gained the insight needed to take the next steps, regardless of whether it was adoption or not. But, those who choose adoption through St. Elizabeth gain vital support during this challenging time. And that can provide a huge benefit for expectant mothers who may feel alone. Have you recently learned that you are pregnant and don’t know what to do? Discover the advantages of speaking with St. Elizabeth Foundation, an adoption agency serving New Orleans. And, learn about the support that St. Elizabeth could provide for you. 

Where to Start

Before you choose what to do next, it can be a huge help to evaluate your situation, your goals, and whether you are ready to handle the responsibilities of becoming a mother. If you are thinking of raising the child, it’s important to consider whether you can afford to care for a baby and if you will have the time and support to do so. However, if you are considering adoption, you need to ask yourself if you will be able to part with the child. For many, this can be a very difficult question, but it’s also an incredibly important one. But, one of the benefits of choosing St. Elizabeth Foundation is that you have the opportunity to select the family that will care for your child. 

There are many loving, excellent families who would love to care for a child but may not be able to have one on their own. Our adoption agency has helped more than 600 children find caring homes where they can be loved. And, if you choose St. Elizabeth Foundation, you can explore several potential families to choose the one that you believe would be best for your child. This can give you additional peace of mind, getting to know and understand the family who will welcome your child into their home.

How St. Elizabeth Foundation Helps During and After Your Pregnancy

If you decide that adoption would be best for you, we are with you through the process and beyond. We can provide assistance to help with your living, medical, legal, and counseling costs. And, even after the adoption process is finalized, we continue to support mothers with counseling services if and when they need them. Because, even when you know you’ve made the right choice, it isn’t always an easy one. But knowing you can speak with someone who understands your situation can be so much better than trying to handle it on your own. 

Are You Seeking an Adoption Agency Serving New Orleans?

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant and aren’t sure what to do next, St. Elizabeth can help. We offer no-pressure, no-judgment, fully confidential counseling to help you make the choice that would be best for you, even if it isn’t adoption. Call us at 225-769-8888 or contact us online to speak with a member of our staff. We will listen and work with you to help you understand your options and make the decision that’s right for you.

Unwanted Pregnancy: The Choice Is Yours

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Unwanted pregnancies can happen at any time. And usually when it’s a super difficult time for you too. But when are unplanned pregnancies ever easy? That being said, it can be super easy to panic in a time like this. And that’s okay! Take your moment. But after your moment, it’s time to make a decision. Discover what choices lie before you with your unwanted pregnancy from our Baton Rouge adoption agency.

Your Choices

Many expectant mothers feel as if they have no other choice. But that’s not the case. Don’t let anyone else make you feel like the choice is not yours. You have the bodily autonomy to make that decision for yourself, and we are here to help you make whatever decision is best for you. Take a look at some of the decisions you can make and consider some of the questions you need to ask yourself.

Parenting

Ask yourself—can you afford this child right now? Are you in the right emotional state to take on another person? If you are unable to care for a child right now, could you handle them possibly being taken away to foster care? Do you have a support system? These are all hard questions that you need to ask yourself because sometimes parenting can be a hard choice.

Abortion

Do you have an emotional support system available? Do your religious or spiritual beliefs make you question this possibility? Would you possibly regret this decision later? Is it possible to make this decision in my area? Are there current laws making this difficult? As a hot topic right now, it might be difficult to achieve this if it is what you choose. It may be beneficial to research the laws in your area and seek out emotional support.

Adoption

While it may seem like the easiest choice to some, there are still some questions you should ask yourself. For example—can you part with this child? Will you be able to choose the child’s family? Will you be able to receive support emotionally, financially, and medically? What about the child’s new family? Are they someone that you can trust to raise a well-adjusted child? These are all important questions. And we’re sure you have more. Thankfully, if you have an unwanted pregnancy, our Baton Rouge adoption agency is here to help you. 

Choosing Adoption

If you choose adoption, St. Elizabeth Foundation is able to help you. All you have to do is begin our process for expectant mothers.

After you reach out to us, one of our counselors will meet with you to discuss your options. And, if you choose adoption, we can begin making an adoption plan! This also means that you get to choose the family for your child. Because we use a thorough screening process, we can provide a variety of safe and secure options for you to choose from. 

But that’s not the only choice you make. We want you to be in control every step of the way. And we’ll be there to support you every step of the way as well. Our team is here to provide pregnancy assistance to help with your living, medical, legal, and counseling needs. 

Speaking of choice, you can also make the decisions you feel comfortable with when it comes to planning the birth of your baby. No matter if you choose an open, closed, or semi-open adoption—we’re here after the fact. That’s also why we offer post-placement counseling to ensure that you’re okay emotionally. If you have more questions about what we can do for you, feel free to give us a call.

Have an Unwanted Pregnancy? Contact Our Baton Rouge Agency

Ready to begin with St. Elizabeth Foundation? If you’re going through an unwanted pregnancy, our Baton Rouge agency is here to help. Just get in contact with us by calling 225-769-8888 or emailing info@stelizabethfoundation.or. We look forward to helping you make the best decision for you.

Understanding the Adoption Process at our Baton Rouge Agency

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So—you and your spouse have decided that you want to have a baby. And, you decided that you want to adopt that baby. This is a beautiful choice that many parents choose each year as a way to grow their family. However, it can be a little confusing to know where to begin the process. But don’t worry. St. Elizabeth Foundation is here to help you through the adoption process with our Baton Rouge professionals. Trust us to help you find your baby in a way that makes the situation easier for you and your family.

When You’re an Expectant Mother

Some agencies tend to neglect talking about the mother’s process. However, we like being thorough and want to help everyone involved in the adoption process. And this is especially true for the mother.

Depending on who you are, the first step might be the easiest or the hardest part. This first essential step is simply to reach out to us. Feel free to call, email, text, or even just chat with us. This leads to the next step—counseling. During this part, one of our counselors goes through all of your options and helps you figure out the right choice for you. If you do choose to go with adoption, the next choice is to choose the family. Because we want you to have as much choice as possible, mothers at St. Elizabeth get to choose the family who will be accepting the child. 

Every adopting family at St. Elizabeth meets our standards and regulations and is one of the best choices available in Baton Rouge. As you continue with the pregnancy, our team is here to offer pregnancy assistance in whatever way possible. This could be living, medical, legal, or even counseling costs. After the baby is born, we help you and your chosen family finalize your adoption plan. The process changes from here depending on what type of adoption you choose. And even after everything is said and done, there is still more to do. Because we know that this is an emotional decision and process, we’re still here after the birth to offer post-placement counseling. 

Adopting As a Couple

Of course, everything is different on the other side. Before you begin the process at St. Elizabeth Foundation, your family must first meet our qualifications. To qualify, prospective adoptive parents must be a married couple who have been married for a minimum of five years. If you meet these qualifications, you can apply to officially begin. After we review this application, we then begin the home study process. Please be aware that this does take some time. While this may be frustrating for some, it is simply so we can confidently provide our expectant mothers with the best possible family for the child. During the home study process, families must undergo background checks, a visit to the physical environment, assessments of emotional and relationship stability, and a parenting philosophy discussion.

We also provide prospective parents with our education program. This program helps by informing parents about the unique attributes of adoptive parents, how to help your child understand adoption, and more. Prospective adoptive parents will also create a family profile book to describe themselves to any mothers looking for adoptive families. Once a birth mother does choose you to parent her child, it’s our job to help your family process and finalize your adoption by the court. Depending on the type of adoption this is, things can progress differently from here. But that’s why we’re here to help. If you have any questions about the adoption process, feel free to get in touch with our Baton Rouge professionals, and we can answer any questions you may have. 

Begin the Adoption Process in Baton Rouge Today

We understand this can be a challenging time. But our professionals are here to assist you throughout the adoption process. So, feel free to get in contact with us today by either giving us a call at 225-769-8888 or sending us an email at info@stelizabethfoundation.o.

Free Resources for Unwanted Pregnancy in Baton Rouge

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Though we wish it didn’t, so many of our decisions come down to money. And unfortunately, the hard truth about raising a child is that it’s expensive. Medical bills, clothes, food, diapers, schooling…the list goes on. It’s one of the reasons why unwanted pregnancies are so profoundly terrifying. How can I afford to raise a child? It’s not the only question you ask yourself when exploring your options while pregnant, but it is an important one. That’s why we’ve put together this blog of resources that are either free or provide financial aid for pregnant women. Because we believe that a child’s life is a gift where money shouldn’t be an issue. 

Adoption Centers Cover Costs

Though it’s a small part of the costs of being a parent, pregnancy-related expenses are still significant, even more so for those who are already struggling financially. There are doctor visits and prenatal care costs. But if you choose adoption, those are all covered by the adoption center. And some centers, like St. Elizabeth Foundation, even cover living expenses for you while you’re pregnant. 

Unwanted Pregnancy Medical Help in Baton Rouge 

If you cannot pay for doctor’s visits or do not have health insurance, there is a federal funding program called Title X (10). This program funds medical costs such as birth control, GYN care, and other reproductive health services for those who cannot afford them. It is important to note that this program does not pay for abortion care. To qualify, you will have to provide the most recent four-week snapshot of your income (such as recent pay stubs or proof of unemployment benefits or inability to work). This helps assess what amount you can pay using Title X’s discounted fee scale. There are other medical insurance services also offered with financial aid, such as Medicaid or the Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP). Call 1-866-600-6886 to see how you can apply.

Assistance in Child Care Costs

If you choose to keep your child but are unsure if they will get the care and attention they deserve because you attend school or go to work, there are programs to help. One such program is the CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program). “To support all families in accessing high-quality child care, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides financial assistance to low-income families while they are working or attending school.” Here is a helpful flowchart to help you navigate the application process and see if you are eligible. 

Another program that’s out there to offer education, health, parents involvement, and social services for low-income families at no cost is Head Start. This program is offered in many different settings, such as child care centers, family child care homes, and public schools. Early Head Start is a version of this program that focuses specifically on pregnant women and children ages zero to three. Find the nearest Head Start program by using this online locator or call 1-800-486-1717 for more information. 

Remember, You’re Not Alone

We understand that this can all be overwhelming. An unexpected pregnancy, the worries, and complications of financial aid—it’s all so much. So take a deep breath and lean on someone you can trust. You can trust us at St. Elizabeth because we understand how difficult this is for you. We’ve helped many women in your same position. So reach out. We’re happy to answer any questions.