Hear from Jocelyn, a Gifts of Grace birth mom who lovingly placed her daughter for open adoption.

Could you tell us your name?

My name is Jocelyn. I am 23 years old, and I am a birth mom. 

How did you feel when you found out you were pregnant?

I was scared and terrified. But it was happening. I was pregnant.

Were you initially considering adoption?

No. We (the birth father and I) were planning to parent. At 26 weeks, we learned Paisley had Down Syndrome. At that moment, we were still planning on parenting, but we had also learned that she had a hole in her heart and stomach.

As we began to research Down Syndrome, though, we realized we were not ready to take on a role like that. We weren’t mature enough. We knew one of us would have to stay home full time to care for Paisley. We both financially needed to work. We knew in that moment that adoption would be best for Paisley.

What advice did the doctors give you regarding Paisley’s medical needs?

The doctors wanted me to abort Paisley. With her disability and the hole in her heart and stomach, they said her quality of life wouldn’t be good. They said I would most likely give birth to a stillborn baby. I told them, either way, I was having this child.

What was it like working with Gifts of Grace?

It was challenging. I never thought I would go through an adoption process with my firstborn child. Meeting with my Birth Family Coordinator weekly helped me feel better about it. And I knew that I got to choose the family for my daughter. It wasn’t an agency picking a family I didn’t know or strangers for my child.

Do you still have a relationship with your child?

Yes. We have an open adoption. We (the adoptive family and I) reach out a lot via email, and I get to visit Paisley once every other month. I still have a life and relationship with her.

What has been the greatest reward of adoption?

I still get to see Paisley and have a relationship with her no matter what. I still get to see her take on life challenges and achievements. She gets to grow up around me. It’s the best reward I could ask for through this adoption process.

What advice would you give to a woman considering adoption?

If you are considering adoption, it is not a bad thing. It is the most selfless and brave thing you can do for your child. I would suggest an open adoption so you can still have a relationship with your child. 

We can help you navigate the joys, challenges, and emotions that come with placing your child for adoption.

Gifts of Grace Adoption Support Center has worked with expecting moms, adoptive families, and children in the Lafayette, Indiana community since 2013. We believe that quality, affordable, Christ-centered adoption services empower pregnant moms and dads, create thriving adoptive families, and help all children be placed in a loving home.

For more information, please contact us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The post Meet a Birth Mom Named Jocelyn appeared first on Gifts of Grace.

Here’s a story from Trista, one of our birth moms who worked with a local agency that truly cares about expecting parents like her — before and after a child is born.

What led you to choose adoption? 

I thought I had a miscarriage earlier in the year, but the hospital was incorrect. It wasn’t until I was in labor that we learned I was pregnant. I had to make a choice to either create an adoption plan or bring my son into a terrible situation of homelessness, financial strain, and unprepared parents. 

What did you think about adoption before and after? 

​I had no idea what to think about adoption. Now I think it’s one of the best things for not only adoptive parents who can’t have children of their own, but also for expectant mothers who might be in the same situation I was. 

​Why did you pick Gifts of Grace? How was your experience? 

I picked Gifts of Grace because I just had a good feeling about them when I was looking at the list of agencies. Everyone I worked with truly cared about me. ​I remember after I signed the adoption papers the Gifts of Grace staff stayed with me and cried with me. 

​What’s your greatest wish for future birth moms? 

​My greatest wish is for future birth moms to know that it gets better over time and that they aren’t alone. 

We can help you navigate the joys, challenges, and emotions that come with placing your child for adoption.

Gifts of Grace Adoption Support Center has worked with expecting moms, adoptive families, and children in the Lafayette, Indiana community since 2013. We believe that quality, affordable, Christ-centered adoption services empower pregnant moms and dads, create thriving adoptive families, and help all children be placed in a loving home.

For more information, please contact us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The post Trista: A Birth Mom appeared first on Gifts of Grace.

In this post, you’ll hear from a brave Gifts of Grace birth mom who chose the perfect adoptive family for her son after an unexpected pregnancy.

Not many people know this, but about three years ago, I had an unexpected son.

I didn’t show, I didn’t gain weight, I didn’t have morning sickness or any other pregnancy symptoms. I had a regular period and everything. But one day, I started just bleeding very very badly, so I went to the emergency room. Come to find out, I was in labor. I had no idea. I was not prepared, and I didn’t know what to do.

So I decided to talk to a woman from an adoption agency. And she was an angel from above. She helped me through all my questions. She explained everything and brought me six different books on potential adoptive families.

The first book I looked at … something in my heart told me it’s them.

I looked at all the other books, but I couldn’t change my mind. I knew they were the ones. 

I pray every night that [the adoptive family] will be safe and that someone will see what I saw. They are beyond amazing. They made me not regret my choice ever. They made me a better person. I’ve since had another son and introduced him to them. It’s like we are one big family. ​

They will always be part of me. And I’ve finally decided to share my story.

We can help you navigate the joys, challenges, and emotions that come with placing your child for adoption.

Gifts of Grace Adoption Support Center has worked with expecting moms, adoptive families, and children in the Lafayette, Indiana community since 2013. We believe that quality, affordable, Christ-centered adoption services empower pregnant moms and dads, create thriving adoptive families, and help all children be placed in a loving home.

For more information, please contact us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The post If You Ever Need a Choice: A Gifts of Grace Birth Mom Story appeared first on Gifts of Grace.