Birth Mother Matters in Adoption 17: A Little Self-Esteem Can Go A Long Way

Birth Mother Matters Season 2 Podcast 120:  When Families Are Not Ready to Adopt What can happen when families are not ready to adopt but begin the process anyway? Marital DiscordDepression / Anxiety / PanicHave a lower level of satisfaction with the adoption processDifficulty engaging in the adoption process and bonding with your birth motherMaking decisions that may not have been made had  in desperation that you may not be happy with laterAreas where Adoptive families may not be ready to begin an adoption plan.Unresolved griefDiscord between spousesLack of education

27 Okt 202029min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Podcast, Season 2: Episode 119: Sexual Violence & Its impact On Pregnancy and Adoption The CDC defines sexual violence as a sexual activity when consent in not obtained or not freely given. It is a serious public health problem in the United States. Sexual violence impacts every community and affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, and ages—anyone can experience or perpetrate sexual violence. The perpetrator of sexual violence is usually someone known to the victim, such as a friend, current or former intimate partner, coworker, neighbor, or family member. National Sexual Assault Hotline. Free. Confidential. 24/7 1800-656-4673 or  1800-656-HOPE National Human Trafficking Resource Center This is a national anti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims, survivors and the anti-trafficking community. 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711) Text 233733

24 Okt 202026min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2, #118: Domestic Violence & Its impact On Pregnancy and Adoption The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates abusers target more than 300,000 pregnant women in the U.S. each year, adding that the number may be even higher than that given the reluctance of survivors to disclose abuse, especially during pregnancy. Published in March 2017, in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the results show intimate partner violence during pregnancy is “significantly associated with” preterm birth (before 38 weeks) and low birth weight, finding that women who endured abuse while pregnant were almost twice as likely to deliver their babies preterm. The National domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) offers help to anyone involved in a domestic violence situation. They help victims as well as survivors, friends and family members. They also provide information on sexual assault, battering intervention and prevention programs. Please make sure to call them if you need help.

21 Okt 202014min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2, 117:One in Four, Part 2 of 2 If you or someone you care about has lost a child to stillbirth, miscarriage, SIDS, or any other cause at any point during pregnancy or infancy, please join us in raising awareness this month for October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Learn what to say and what not to say to famile is experiencing a miscarriage or stillbirth.Understand why our society has groomed us to not disclose to others about the loss of a baby.Learn about foundations that are supporting families in their time of need and what assistance is available. #nilmdtsawareness #internationalwaveoflight #nilmdts

15 Okt 202023min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption: One in Four, Part 1 of 2 October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month  It may be uncomfortable to talk about miscarriages or stillbirths, but when we say nothing about the loss of the baby, the grief is not acknowledged.  Just because a birth mother is placing a baby for adoption does not mean she does not care about her baby, actually the opposite is true- she loves her baby so much that she is making the hardest choice.  In my experience when a birth mother miscarries or has a stillbirth, she suffers incredibly, questioning herself if the reason the baby passed away was her fault, did her baby not feel loved enough or wanted and was that why? When we are silent about perinatal loss, we send the message that there is no space for mourning, leaving adoptive and birth families isolated and alone in their grief.  The goal of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month of breaking the silence and stigma surrounding pregnancy and infant loss. This month honors the millions of families who have experienced loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Pregnancy and infant loss impacts so many families. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage.

13 Okt 202020min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Season 2, 115: Birth Control & Adoption Part 2 of 2 Birth control continues to be a topic that many are still uncomfortable speaking about.  Due to the rating of this podcast, we will be using very general language, please note that this episode may contain language not suitable for children.  Since this podcast is about adoption- the precursor is pregnancy and the precursor to pregnancy is a lack of or ineffective birth control, therefore we feel this is a topic that we must address. This podcast is part 2 of 2.   Choosing adoption means choosing an option with support, aftercare and access to financial resources.  Adoption is a beautiful choice and one that is increasingly becoming a more popular choice.  If you are pregnant and are considering adoption, we are a licensed, full-service, non-profit Arizona Adoption Agency.  We believe in adoption aftercare services and have a program on site to provide continued support through the Donna K. Evans Foundation.  You can contact us 24/7 at (623) 695-4112.  You are not alone and we want to help, thank you for considering adoption, you are making an amazing choice.

9 Okt 202024min

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Podcast Season 2 Ep. 114 Birth Control P. 1 of 2 Birth control continues to be a topic that many are still uncomfortable speaking about.  Due to the rating of this podcast, we will be using very general language, please note that this episode may contain language not suitable for children.  Since this podcast is about adoption- the precursor is pregnancy and the precursor to pregnancy is a lack of or ineffective birth control, therefore we feel this is a topic that we must address. Women who place a baby for adoption may return to our adoption agency to place a second baby or maybe even a third.  The most commonly asked question is how and why does that occur? The best answer to this: a lack of birth control or ineffective birth control due to inaccurate usage or damaged/expired birth control methods.  When I speak with women who come to our agency to place a baby for adoption, we speak about their pregnancy and this conversation takes place whether it is their first adoption with us or their 3rd.  These are the answers I receive when I asked them how they became pregnant: “Didn’t use birth control.”“I forgot to get my shot.”“I wanted to have kids.”“I thought I couldn’t get pregnant.”“I had my tubes tied.”“He told me he couldn’t have kids.”“We have never had to use birth control before.”“I thought he was going to take care of it.”“I have no idea.”

6 Okt 202022min

Birth Mother Matters In Adoption Season 2 Episode 113: C-Sections in Adoption   When making a hospital plan, if you are going to be having a scheduled c-section, you can completely detail how you want everything to go.   Normally when having a c-section, you can have one support person in the operating room with you.  Sometimes birth mothers choose the birth father, a family member or friend, the adoptive mother, or the adoption case worker.  Some other benefits of having a c-section when placing a baby for adoption are: You can plan around the dates of your c-section; if you are working then you can notify your job of when you will deliver, you can get things accomplished that you want to have achieved before delivery without having to worry about when you will deliver.The adoptive family can plan to be in town if they are coming from another state, rather than trying to catch the next flight out.You have more time (for recovery purposes) in the hospital which gives you more time to bond with the adoptive family and see your baby.Most likely, you won’t have to worry about being pregnant past your due date. If you are listening and you are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and want more information about adoption, we are a local Arizona Adoption Agency.  We are available 24/7 by phone or text at (623) 695-4112.  We can make an immediate appointment with you to get started on creating an Arizona Adoption Plan or just give you more information.

2 Okt 202022min