The Difference Between Open, Closed, Semi- Open Adoptions

When choosing an adoption plan, there are several important factors to consider, including how open you’d like your adoption to be. You can choose from three main types of adoption: closed, semi-open, and open. Here’s what you need to know about each type of adoption plan so that you can make the best decision for your family.

An Overview of Adoption

Open adoption was created by those who wanted to strengthen birth and adoptive families while allowing access to biological family members. Open adoption is also meant to help everyone involved see that love can come in different forms, which makes it a great option for those interested in being involved with their child's life in some way. It's important to note that open adoption has nothing to do with whether or not your child is adopted; rather, it concerns how much information you have about your child and your ability (or inability) to be in contact with him or her after he or she is born. The three main types of open adoptions are fully open, semi-open, and closed.

Types of Adoption

• A closed adoption is when there is no contact or identifying information shared between birth parent(s) and adoptive parents.
• A partial or semi-open adoption are situations in which a child's background is shared with an adoptive family without revealing identifying information about the birth parent(s).
• An open adoption, there is complete transparency between all parties involved; sharing identifying information with one another throughout their lifetime. In addition to open and semi-open adoptions, there are other options in regards to how involved you would like to be in your child's life.

Creating a Plan for your Pregnancy

Many expectant parents enter into an adoption process without a solid plan. They may have an idea of what they want to do, but it often isn’t enough. While you can always change your mind or alter your plan as time goes on and circumstances change, making sure you take some time in advance to really think about what you want to do with your child is important. No matter what decision you make, it will be extremely difficult—if not impossible—to create a secure foundation for your child if you haven’t taken some time to plan things out beforehand. Understanding all of your adoption options will also help ensure that you feel comfortable with whatever decision you make.

We're Here to Help

The adoption process is a journey. ACPC Women's Clinic can connect you to resources for your adoption plan and help walk you through your next steps. At our clinic, we believe that every woman deserves access to high-quality reproductive healthcare. Whether you’re pregnant and considering adoption or a different pregnancy route, we’ll be here to guide you through any questions or concerns you may have along the way.