Are you a mom in New Orleans who just found out you’re pregnant, but you weren’t planning to be? You might feel scared or confused about what to do next. That’s okay. Lots of women in this position feel the same way. The adoption process in New Orleans can give you another path to think about. At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we want to help you understand your choices, so you can pick what’s best for you and your baby. You are never alone.
Exploring Your Options
It’s hard to face an unplanned pregnancy, but remember, you have different options. Here’s a simple look at what you can choose:
Parenting Your Baby
Parenting your baby is a big decision that comes with a lot of love, joy, and responsibility. It means you get to watch them grow up and be there for all of their firsts, like their first steps and first words.
Parenting also means making sure they’re safe, healthy, and cared for, which can sometimes be hard if you’re not sure you have enough time, money, or support. It’s okay to feel nervous about this choice, but remember, you don’t have to do it alone. There are family, friends, and even community programs that can help you along the way.
Adoption
Adoption means another family will raise your baby and give them love and safety. With St. Elizabeth Foundation, you get to decide how much contact you’d like to have by choosing one of these adoption options:
- Open Adoption: You can keep in touch with your child and the family who adopts them. You might call, text, write letters, or even visit sometimes. You and the new family can decide what amount of contact feels right.
- Semi-Open Adoption: If you want some contact, but not too much, we can help. You can get updates and pictures through St. Elizabeth. It keeps things private while still letting you know your child is safe and happy.
- Closed Adoption: If you want total privacy, you can choose a closed adoption. You and your child’s new family won’t keep in touch, but you can share medical information to help your child in the future.
Fostering
Foster care is when the state finds a home for a child while the birth family tries to get ready to take care of them again. It’s not the same as adoption, because the goal is often to return the child to their birth family.
Abortion
Abortion is the decision to end a pregnancy early. It’s a big, permanent decision and can be emotionally challenging to process. In Louisiana, performing an abortion is against the law. For some, choosing adoption instead of abortion can feel better emotionally because it allows their baby to have a chance at life while still offering other options for the mother.
It’s important to know about all your choices before you decide. Our caring staff at St. Elizabeth Foundation is here to talk with you about your feelings and answer any questions.
The Adoption Process in New Orleans
Adoption gives you a way to choose a loving family for your baby. You stay in control, and you can still be part of your baby’s story if you want to. Let’s walk through the adoption process in New Orleans so you know what to expect. Each step makes sure you feel supported and safe:
Step 1: Reach Out
Call us, text, or send us a message through our website. You don’t need to know what you want yet. Our team is here to listen and help right from the start.
Step 2: Talk With a Caring Counselor
You’ll meet someone from St. Elizabeth Foundation who listens to your story, answers your questions, and helps you make a plan. We care about your feelings and what you want for your baby.
Step 3: Pick an Adoptive Family
You get to choose the family you want for your baby. We’ll show you photos and stories about different families to help you pick the one that feels right.
Step 4: Get Support During Pregnancy
We know the expenses and emotional challenges of pregnancy can be difficult. St. Elizabeth Foundation helps you find support for:
- Help with living costs
- Medical care
- Someone to talk to whenever you need support
Step 5: Make a Birth Plan and Have Your Baby
You choose how everything goes when it’s time to have your baby. With your birth plan, you decide who is with you at the hospital and what happens next. After your baby is born, we help you move forward with adoption the way you want.
Step 6: Help After Adoption
Adoption is a huge decision with a lot of complex feelings. Even after your baby goes to their new family, we offer counseling and are here to support you as you heal and grow.
Trust St. Elizabeth Foundation
At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we have helped hundreds of women in Louisiana, including New Orleans, for over 30 years. Our team is friendly, honest, and will never judge you. And, we keep what you share private. Whether you want an open, closed, or semi-open adoption, or if you are still deciding what to do, we are here to help.
Choosing adoption is a big decision, but you don’t have to go through the process alone. If you want to know more about the adoption process or your adoption options in New Orleans, give us a call at 225-769-8888. We will answer every question, offer kind support, and be here for you no matter what you decide.