Initial Questions

Do I want to keep and raise my child?

What is/are the reason(s) I am considering adoption?

How would I feel if I never have any other children?

How would I tell family and friends that I surrendered my child to adoption?

Emotional Questions

If I surrender my child, I might feel tremendous grief, anger, and loneliness.
How would that affect me?

How would I feel not knowing anything about my child or his or her well-being, even if she/he is alive or dead?

How would I feel if I never find my child, or if she/he never wants to meet me when she/he grows up?

How would surrendering my first child to adoption affect my relationship with future children I might have?

Support Questions

Have I had professional counseling, from a professional independent of the adoption agency or prospective adopters, during the decision making process with a qualified professional who understands the world of adoption?

Am I aware of the help/assistance that is available to help me during my pregnancy and to help me raise my child?

Have I explored all the sources of help available to me?

Do I have supportive family members who want to help me raise my child?

Have I asked my family members to help me?

If not, do I need someone to help me/guide me through the process to find assistance, mentoring, and emotional, financial and physical support?

Medical Questions

How are the hormones of pregnancy affecting my ability to make a decision at this time that will affect myself and my child for the rest of our lives?

If I choose adoption, am I familiar with the research of the longterm effects on me and my child from being seperated at the time of my baby’s birth?

How would I feel if my child needed family medical information and I was unable to get it to him/her?

Legal Questions

Do I understand the difference between a closed adoption and an open adoption?

If I’m considering an “open” adoption, what is my legal recourse if the adoptive parents break the agreement?

Do I have legal representation from an attorney independent of the potential adopters and the agency?

What Ifs

My financial problems are likely temporary. In a few years, when I have a stable job and good home, how would I feel knowing that I’ve permanently surrendered rights to have my child with me?

If I surrender my child, how would I feel knowing that the adoptive parents might raise my child in a manner that I would disapprove of, and I would be powerless to do anything about it?