Questions to Ask Before Surrendering

1. Do I want to keep and raise my child?
2. What is/are the reason(s) I am considering adoption?
3. 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?  See Origins-USA's "sources of help" page for resources you may not have known about.
4. Do I have supportive family members who want to help me raise my child?  Have I asked my family members to help me?
5. If not, do you need someone to help you/guide you through the process to find assistance, mentoring, support emotionally, financially and physically? (see "sources of help" page)
6. If you choose adoption, are you familiar with the research of the long-term effects on both you and your child from being seperated at the time of the child's birth?
7. Do you understand the difference between a closed adoption and an open adoption?
8. Do you have legal representation from an attorney independent of the potential adopters and the agency?
9. Have you 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? 
10. How would I feel not knowing anything about my child or his or her well-being, even if she/he is alive or dead?
11. There are no “perfect” parents.  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?
12. How would I feel if I never have any other children?
13. If I surrender my child, I will feel tremendous grief, anger, and loneliness.  How will that affect me?
14. If I’m considering an “open” adoption, what is my legal recourse if the adoptive parents break the agreement? 
15. 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? 
16. How will I feel if I never find my child, or if she/he never wants to meet me when she/he grows up?
17. If I surrender my child for adoption, my child will feel grief and loss over being separated from me, and may feel that I abandoned him/her.  How do I feel about that?
18. How would I feel if my child needed family medical information and I was unable to get it to him/her?
19. My financial problems are likely temporary.  In a few years, when I have a stable job and good home, how will I feel knowing that I’ve permanently surrendered rights to have my child with me?
20. How will I tell family and friends that I surrendered my child to adoption?
21. How would surrendering my first child to adoption affect my relationship with future children I might have?