Thinking about placing a child for adoption?

There are a multitude of reasons for which expectant parents make an adoption plan for their baby. A bad relationship, finances, and poor timing are just three examples.

When making the decision to place, birthmothers look deep inside themselves and say “Am I really ready for this? Am I ready to devote my life to bringing up a child in the most healthy environment possible?” After much soul searching, many women choose to place their baby for adoption.

Some acquaintances will be shocked by your decision; they think parenting would be possible for you, especially if they 'help'. But the deeper question is; would great parenting be possible right now? And really, are these rescuers going to/able to 'help'? Usually not.

Some birth parents would make adequate parents. Some could provide financially for a baby; some wouldn’t abuse or neglect him, and those are important things a baby needs. But most just aren’t ready to sink every moment of our lives into bringing him up. Some don’t know that they will ever be ready for that kind of commitment; parenting was the furthest thing from mind when the pregnancy was confirmed.

There are also people who already have children they are parenting who choose to place a second or third child, or some cases a sixth or seventh child. Their reasons vary as well. Maybe they are great parents to the child/ren they already have but know that another one would make them just adequate parents and they want to be great parents to all of their kids. Maybe financial constraints limit them. Perhaps a woman finds herself suddenly single through the death of a partner or spouse, or at the end of a relationship, and they don’t feel they can cope with another child or any child for that matter.

Sadly, there are some people in the world who feel that when someone chooses to place their baby for adoption, they are admitting that they would be bad parents. We know this is not true! Parenting is overwhelming and birth parents really search their souls to know what their limits are. Most love children, but loving children doesn’t make one ready to give up what they feel their life is take care of one. There are people who place that go on to have other children and make great parents because their next child came at a better time. There are also people who make great birth parents and while it may not be what they dreamed of, they are content with that role.

Women who place children for adoption come from all walks of life. They are usually intelligent, well-adjusted, happy people who made a heart wrenching choice to do what they had to for their child. If you choose to place, it doesn’t mean you would have been a bad parent; it just means that you may not be at the best place in life to be the great parent that you want for your child. And you love your child enough to give them more...you have enough love to place them with an adoptive family. And that is one of the greatest parenting decisions you'll ever make.

The "Front Line"

The Dynamic Duo
Luci Taylor & Jodi Christensen - Birth Parent Front Line

Luci and Jodi are the first people the birthmothers speak with when they call the agency. They both bring a compassion to their work and an ability to connect with the birthmothers that supports them from the moment they make that first call.


Luci grew up in Salt Lake City and has a tender heart for children. She is an incredible seamstress - she makes gorgeous quilts and loves to stitch. She loves to travel and be on a sunny beach...anywhere... Luci and her husband, Matt, are the parents of two darling daughters and a handsome son.






Jodi also grew up in Utah and is the life of the party where ever she goes. She loves to laugh, and makes everyone around her laugh with her. She is married to Dane and has a daughter, Maya, through adoption, as well as a daughter, Layla, and a another little bun in the oven. (due in July) Jodi has a penchant for bright colors and is the reigning karaoke champion of the neighborhood.

When you call Heart to Heart, 877 -62- HEART (877-624-3278), you will have the pleasure of speaking with either Luci or Jodi. You will find them to be caring, knowledgeable, and fun to talk to. They are the first in a long line of support people you'll have at Heart to Heart. We care!

Pregnancy? Stress? Of course!

If you are pregnant, but not stressed, you aren't fully awake for the day yet! Pregnancy in and of itself is stressful. But adding other factors...like the pregnancy being unplanned, or having financial struggles, or other children to care for, or all of the above, this is a stressful time! Here are some tips for reducing stress in your life and pregnancy.

1. Look closely at your lifestyle. Are there changes you could make to take some pressure off?
2.Prepare to cut back...eventually. Even if you can maintain your current schedule or demands, as the pregnancy progresses, you will need to be smart about extra cirricular activities. Get more sleep. Rest between activities. Allow yourself some time to think; to consider all options for this baby.

3.Be in charge of your mind. Decide now that you - not your mom, friend, or boss - are in charge of your thoughts. You are going to determine how you feel about this pregnancy and how your will deal with the outcome and its possibilities. Certainly listen to the advice of both medical professionals and friends and family members that you trust. But don't allow yourself to be made to feel bad by the well-intentioned but often incorrect comments and opinions of others.

4.Communicate! People that love you are not mind readers. Communicate your feelings, thoughts and needs.

5. Do your homework! Learn as much as you can about pregnancy, child birth, and adoption. We can help! You can call our birth mother line any time with questions and concerns. And once you're in our program, your counselor is available to you, too, to openly and honestly discuss your feelings and worries.

6. Give yourself a break! Take advantage of spare moments you can sleep, read, have a bubble bath, watch a movie. This is an important time of life, and you deserve a break now and then!

Are you pregnant and considering placing your baby for adoption?

Making the decision to place your baby for adoption will be one of the most difficult decisions of your life. But making the decision to place is the most selfless, loving gift you can give to your baby and a family anxious to have a child join their lives. This decision is one that takes the utmost strength, courage, and love. At Heart to Heart Adoptions, we want to help and support you through one the of the most challenging times of your life. This blog is a good start, and has information that will help you as you consider your options.




At any time if you want to speak to someone personally, please call 1-877-62- HEART. (877 624 3278) Jodi and Luci are available 24/7 to answer questions, or link you to someone who can. We also have counselors available to assist you and discuss your feelings during this time.

At Heart to Heart, we offer two options for birth mothers...staying in their home state, or coming to Utah, where our home office is. If you choose to come to Utah, we will pay for you and your children, if any, and a support person to fly to Salt Lake City. We will have someone to pick you up at the airport and take you to your private apartment. Our apartments are fully furnished in private complexes. They are not group homes or government housing. You will have a case manager assigned to you who will take you shopping and on a weekly activity. (many of our birth mothers choose to go to lunch and a movie, or sightseeing around town...you choose!)

You will receive a weekly amount of money for food. You also have a counselor assigned to you for you to meet with every week to discuss the many emotions and questions you will have during the process of adoption. We have a birth mother support group every Thursday where you can meet with other birth mothers and our staff.

We have group activities once a month with all the birthmothers and the staff at Heart to Heart. These activities are lots of fun, and we all look forward to them. You will have a great support system at Heart to Heart; someone to always talk to - a shoulder to cry on, if need be, and a friend to laugh with and share a smile.

You, the birthmother, are our hero. Your courage to make the decision to place a child with a loving family is such an amazing gift. As one of my birth mothers told me, "I love this baby enough to give her to you." I cherish that. And I cherish my baby...and her birth mother.

Once you've decided that adoption is right for you and your baby, what comes next?