In the age of social media, many individuals choose to broadcast their personal journeys to their world of followers. Even a topic as sensitive as adoption may be shared among social media channels. Privacy has, therefore, become a major concern, and many people pursuing adoption, either as a birth parent or adoptive family, may worry that their personal privacy is in jeopardy. Though adoption, by its very nature, is a confidential process, there are a few things to remember to avoid jeopardizing the success of the adoption.

Avoid “Outing” the Birth Mother

Not all birth mothers want their pregnancy to be public. Adoptive parents should remember that birth mothers may be dealing with abusive boyfriends, unsupportive families, or an educational plan that they wish to keep afloat. A woman’s pregnancy is hers to share, and “outing” the birth mother to anyone outside of the adoption process should be avoided, no matter how open the adoption agreement may be.

Secrecy Does Not Mean Shame

A desire for privacy does not mean a birth mother is ashamed of the pregnancy, the baby, or the adoption. Even if the adoption is open, a birth mother may wish to keep the entire process a secret from outside parties. If this is the case, adoptive parents should respect her wishes and keep her identity confidential.

Keep All Adoption-Related Documents Confidential

If you are a birth parent considering adoption, any information you provide to an adoption agency or adoption attorney is strictly confidential. In Ohio, adoptive parents may view your medical history, but only if you sign a medical records release form. Even then, your identifying information is blacked out from all records. Outside of these records, the birth parent has complete control over how much information is shared with the adoptive family and should communicate their wishes to their adoption professional. 

Adoptive Parents May Seek Privacy, Too

It is in the best interests of an adoptive couple to share as much as they can with the birth mother to make sure she is comfortable with her decision. That said, the extent of the disclosure is up to the adoptive parent. Even in an open adoption, the exchange of phone numbers, emails, and social media account information is optional. The benefit of working with an agency is that all correspondence can occur through the agency professional, which helps maintain privacy for everyone involved.
 

Whether you’re an expectant mother considering adoption or looking to expand your family, the staff at Private Adoption Services in Cincinnati, OH, are here to help. In business since 1997, this private adoption center continues to connect expectant mothers with caring couples. The agency serves clients both in and out of state. To get started on the application process, give Private Adoption Services a call at (513) 871-5777, or visit their website for more information.