Emotional Support for Birth Mothers in Oklahoma
When it comes to adoption, the emotional effects on a birth mother is something that can be easily overlooked. However, a huge part of the adoption process is the emotional aspect of it. Placing a baby up for adoption is not an easy decision. There are so many emotions birth mothers feel and questions that birth mothers ask themselves every day they are pregnant. Some of these emotions might be positive like relief, gratitude, or acceptance of the adoption process. However, more often than not, birth mothers feel an overwhelming sense of shame, guilt and loss..
At Adoption Choices of Oklahoma, we know that you probably have a million thoughts running through your head at once. But guess what? You are NEVER alone throughout this process. Our adoption agency offers emotional support for birth mothers in Oklahoma. No matter what emotions you are feeling, you will have someone to help you and help you process what you’re experiencing. We are here to help you understand the importance of emotional support, and why it’s important for birth mothers like you to be supported emotionally too.
Emotional Support for Birth Mothers in Oklahoma
One aspect of adoption people do not often recognize is how emotional the journey is for a birth mother. A lot of people think it is easy for birth mothers to place their baby up for adoption. But, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When it comes to placing their baby up for adoption, a lot of birth mothers feel grief,numbness and even shock. All these feelings are a natural reaction to a sense of loss.
In fact, this sense of loss is not unlike the emotion felt when there’s a death in the family, because, to a birth mother, she is losing her child. Not to death, of course, but to another adoptive family. It’s true, to help curb this, that the birth mother can choose to ignore the pregnancy or pretend nothing happened after the baby is placed for adoption, but this doesn’t take away the emotions. In some cases, the secrecy and avoidance of the process makes it harder for birth mothers to find support. They feel ashamed or like they cannot talk to others about their choice.
Why it’s Important to Get Help
No birth mother should ever feel ashamed or that her problems do not matter. What you’re going through is the most difficult decision you’ll ever face, so it’s important for you to get help when you need it. Loneliness and guilt often come quickly. For some birth mothers, you may feel like you have nobody to help them.
However, we are here to tell you that you are never alone. Our specialized adoption counselors are here to help you through your emotional journey. If you know of any trusted friends or family members you can go to — reach out to them as well.
Recognize how Difficult this Decision Is
As a birth mother, you have an incredibly difficult journey ahead of you. Let’s think through the journey a little. If your pregnancy was unplanned, you start off with a bit of shock. The decision to place your baby up for adoption is something that takes a lot of thought. Then there’s the process of finding the best adoptive family for your child as well. All of these things can culminate into a lot of overwhelming emotions. So, never let anyone tell you that this decision is an easy one. It most definitely is not.
You Don’t have to Feel Ashamed
No matter what your personal circumstances are, you should never feel ashamed to seek counseling. After all, you’re providing your child with their best chance at life while working on becoming the best version of yourself! If you need a little help to get there, then why should others ridicule you for that? The answer is — they shouldn’t.
If you need extra help — reach out. Ask. It’s what we are here for.
You Don’t have to be Suicidal
Another big misconception about counseling is that you have to be depressed or suicidal to recieve help. While there are therapists trained to help with these issues, adoption counselors are there for you even in the little things. Sometimes, you need someone to vent about your day to, bounce ideas off of, or just tell you that you’re doing the right thing. Our adoption counselors will support you in whatever way they can — through both small and big things.
We Are Here for You
At Adoption Choices of Oklahoma, we know that the adoption journey is a difficult one. However, you should NEVER feel alone. There are plenty of people who will be here to support you throughout your entire process. If you ever have any questions, or want to discuss anything further, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive families in Oklahoma for over 19 years. Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized adoption experience to all involved in the adoption process. If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions https://adoptionchoicesofoklahoma.org/wp-admin/edit.phpor concerns, feel free to contact us.
You may visit our website here or call toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777
or Text: 405-310-8790
Meet the Author: Hannah Carlsward is an aspiring journalist and photographer. She is currently a senior at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL., where she studies journalism with minors in American Sign Language and Media Studies. Hannah loves connecting the world through her photography and stories, and loves showing people a new perspective on the world around them.
She aspires to continue in both writing and photography in the future, hopefully combining the two with the work she does. When she is not taking photos, she can always be found on some kind of adventure. She loves exploring the world and sharing it with others. You can see more of her work on her Instagram and her website.
