Adoption Resources for Birth Mothers during National Adoption Month

National Adoption Month is here, which means we’ll be celebrating adoption even more than we usually do! During National Adoption Month especially, we at Adoption Choices of New York want to make sure we are looking out for our birth mothers. 

As a birth mother, you’re going through a very transitional time in your life, so it can be difficult to figure out all you’ll need to know on your adoption journey. A great place to start is with birth mother resources! These can help you have a positive adoption experience. During an unplanned pregnancy in New York, initially you may feel alone. But through adoption resources, you can have a positive, supportive adoption experience, especially during National Adoption Month.

Adoption Support Groups in New York

Pregnancy in general can be a stressful time for a lot of women, so when you add adoption into the mix, it’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. The good thing is, you never need to struggle in silence. Adoption support groups and counseling are there for you as a FREE resource during your pregnancy. This means that you have the opportunity to speak with other women like you who may be struggling. It can be so helpful to other women to hear your story, and vice versa. 

At Adoption Choices of New York, we can provide you with free counseling and referrals to support groups. By connecting you with other birth mothers in your area, you’ll be able to hear from other points of view and work out your anxieties together. 

If our resources are not convenient for you, or you’re looking for something more local, you may also find other support groups through resources like Adoption Services, Inc. or American Adoptions Congress, where you can search for pregnancy and adoption support groups by location.

Government Resources for Birth Mothers in New York

We understand that what we can provide for you during your pregnancy may not be enough to support your needs. Thankfully, in addition to non-profit organizations, there are government financial resources (check out our resources page!) that may be able to help you. 

Some of these include a tax credit for adoption offered by the IRS, Social Security Assistance, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and government nutrition benefits, which may vary by state. While you may be eligible for adoption resources through Adoption Choices of New York, any government options available to you can help cover all your bases.

National Adoption Organizations in New York

If you’re looking for support on a larger scale, there are lots of national nonprofit adoption organizations seeking to help birth mothers like you. These organizations may offer support groups and connections to other birth mothers with shared experience. This can be a transformational experience for a lot of birth mothers who may feel alone during the adoption process. 

While facing unplanned pregnancy, you may feel stressed about how to pay for groceries, doctors’ visits, rent, or your future after adoption. The great news is that during your pregnancy, our adoption center in New York and your child’s adoptive parents will be able to support you financially. However, if you need post adoption support or if we, for some reason, are not able to receive all you need from us, there are national organizations that can offer additional support. 

Some examples include:

• BirthMom Buds, which offers a birth mom “buddy system,” online forums, a newsletter, and an annual retreat
• On The Feet Foundation,  which offers financial support, educational grants, retreats, therapist referrals, and Birthmoms Connect ZOOM calls three times every month
• Tied at the Heart, which offers healing retreats throughout the U.S. for post-placement
• The Gift of Adoption Fund, which offers adoption assistance grants 

Adoption Stories from Birth Mothers in New York

You may be the kind of person who finds comfort in fiction and other people’s true stories of adoption, to read words that feel so much like your own thoughts. True stories and fiction may not be the first adoption resource you think of, but hearing other people’s accounts of adoption can be empowering for a lot of people! There are many places to read personal stories of adoption, including Facebook pages for birth mothers (search “birth mother” on Facebook and you should find some relevant, active groups!), magazines, and books. 

Nonfiction Books:

• The Best For You by Kelsey Stewart

• Birthmark by Lorraine Dusky

• The Kid by Dan Savage

• Choice: True Stories of Birth, Contraception, Infertility, Adoption, Single Parenthood, and Abortion by Karen E. Bender
• Lifegivers: Framing the Birthparent Experience in Open Adoption by James L. Gritter

Movies and TV

• Lion (2016)
• This is Us on NBC

Documentaries

• Closure (2013)
• Twinsters (2016)

Adoption Resources for Birth Mothers in New York

As you can see, there are lots of different resources you can take advantage of all the time, but especially during National Adoption Month! You’ll be able to receive financial assistance, find support groups, meet other birth mothers, and even enjoy adoption stories, ranging from fiction to nonfiction. 

At Adoption Choices of New York, we’ll make sure you feel comfortable and supported during your adoption journey. 

Adoption Choices of New York is available to assist with your adoption plan. Call us, text us, email us; we are here for you!
Contact Us 24/7: 800-505-8592 (Phone) | 518-478-8420 | Click to Email

Meet the Author: Tara Giuffre has always loved reading and writing and grew up in the worlds of Narnia, Harry Potter and A Series of Unfortunate Events. Taking this passion for stories, she received a degree from Rutgers University in Journalism & Media. Besides writing, she likes long walks on the beach, spending time with her family (and her cat, Sansa), and baking the perfect loaf of bread. 

She enjoys sharing vital information about adoption and birth mothers choosing adoption to families making important choices for their future family!