Cheyenne was at the start of the 2nd trimester of her pregnancy when she contacted Catholic Charities in need of pregnancy counseling services.
She was a single mother to two young children and hadn’t planned on this pregnancy. Cheyenne truly loved being a stay-at-home parent for her son and daughter, but was eager to return to school to earn a college degree and start a career; but she realized that having a third child would delay these plans for herself for several more years.
Additionally, Cheyenne knew from first hand experience how challenging single parenthood can be at times—especially without any financial or emotional support from the father of her children. She felt that she was blessed with a wonderful childhood where she had all of the love and support a child deserves and worked her hardest to give her two children these same gifts. She wanted the exact same things for the baby she was carrying—but knew in her heart that she was not able to give that kind of life to her third child.
Cheyenne reviewed almost 30 adoptive family profiles from a variety of adoption agencies throughout Wisconsin, and after several weeks, she chose the adoptive family. This family in particular had stood out to her when she initially viewed their profile. Many things about the family reminded Cheyenne of her own childhood.
This was an adoptive couple with no children—Cheyenne wanted to be the person to bless them with the gift of their first child. After an initial meeting with the prospective adoptive family over lunch at an area restaurant, Cheyenne instantly felt a connection and strongly believed that this was the best family for her baby.
Over the next few months, Cheyenne continued to spend time with the adoptive couple. Many of their meetings took place at a local park so that her two young children could get to know the prospective adoptive parents. It was important to both Cheyenne and the adoptive couple that her two children were involved in the adoption process. Both Cheyenne and the adoptive parents desired an open adoption relationship throughout the baby’s life—including the baby’s two birth siblings.
When it came time for the baby’s delivery, Cheyenne requested that the adoptive couple be present for the delivery. Cheyenne gave birth to a very healthy, beautiful baby girl with the support and love of the adoptive parents. They spent several days in the hospital caring for the baby together.
Since the adoption, Cheyenne and the adoptive parents continue to hold an important place in each others lives. They have had many visits and truly enjoy each others company. Cheyenne and her children are forever connected to this adoptive family because of the loving, selfless, brave, difficult decision she made for her baby. The adoptive family feels that there aren’t enough words to explain to Cheyenne how deeply grateful they are to her for helping them become parents. When this little girl grows up, she is going to know each and every day how very much she is loved by both her adoptive family and her birth family.
Diane contacted Catholic Charities when she was two months pregnant seeking Pregnancy Counseling services.
She felt like she was not in a position to raise a child and was considering adoption. After several meetings, the Catholic Charities Pregnancy Counselor learned that Diane was a recovering drug addict. Immediately upon finding out she was pregnant, Diane made a vow to herself and her baby that she would stop her drug use. She decided to move in with her parents who would support her recovery and adoption plan.
Soon after viewing Catholic Charities’ waiting adoptive family profiles, Diane discovered that her out-of-state aunt and uncle were working with a local adoption agency. They were overjoyed when they heard the news that Diane was considering adoption. Knowing that her baby could be placed with relatives put Diane more at peace with her decision.
Diane gave birth to a very healthy baby girl. Her aunt and uncle returned home with their daughter and Diane has continued to remain drug free. She is focusing on earning her GED and gaining stable employment. Even though some days are harder than others, Diane is proud of the loving, selfless, life-changing decision she made for her daughter.
Emily and Mark contacted Catholic Charities Pregnancy Counselor when they were almost 7 months pregnant with their fourth child.
Emily and Mark were very loving parents to their older three children, but struggled to provide for their basic needs. The current pregnancy was not part of their plans and after realizing that they were not able to provide everything they wanted for their unborn child, they decided to choose an adoptive family that could.
After viewing several adoptive family profiles, Emily and Mark chose an adoptive family that had many of the same interests that they did such as hunting, outdoors, and sports. These two couples formed a special bond immediately after their initial meeting. Emily invited the adoptive mom to accompany her to her remaining prenatal appointments. She and Mark also made the decision that they wanted the adoptive couple to be present for the baby’s birth.
Emily went into labor in the very early hours of her 29th birthday. The adoptive parents rushed to the hospital in time for the birth of a beautiful, healthy baby girl. They were so excited that this precious baby could share a birthday with her birth mom and they gave the name "Emily" as a middle name.
Emily and Mark share a sense of peace that their daughter is being loved and cared for by a wonderful adoptive family that they chose themselves. The adoptive parents write letters and send photos to the birth parents. Because of that little girl, they are all family.
When Kayla became unexpectedly pregnant with her second child, she decided very early on in her pregnancy that adoption was the best plan for this baby.
Kayla loved being a mom to her daughter, but the struggles of single parenthood were often overwhelming even with a lot of support from her family and an income. Realistically, she knew that bringing a second child into her life was not a feasible possibility—especially without the support of the baby’s father.
Kayla viewed profiles of Catholic Charities waiting adoptive families. One profile really stood out to her and she requested to meet them. Kayla and her mom, who was very supportive of her daughter’s plan, had the opportunity to meet with the prospective adoptive family on two occasions before deciding that they were the best family for Kayla’s son. This adoptive family did not have any children, which was one of the biggest reasons that Kayla chose them—she wanted to be the one to give them the gift of becoming parents.
The adoptive parents have continued to email photos to Kayla and her family every month (per the open adoption agreement created by all involved parties). If Kayla or her family is interested in a visit, the adoptive parents have always let them know that they are open to this whenever the time is right for everyone.
Marie contacted Catholic Charities when she was about four months pregnant with her first child.
Marie had recently moved into a residential treatment facility for women and felt too young and unprepared to be a parent. She needed to deal with her own struggles first before becoming a stable, strong mom. Marie believed that the best decision she could make for her child was to choose an adoptive family to give her child everything she was unable to give at this point in her life.
Marie was no longer in a relationship with David, the father of her child. She felt that he was an unhealthy influence in her life. She aimed to surround herself with supportive, positive people on her recovery journey. Unfortunately, David was struggling with his own issues and couldn’t be there for Marie.
After meeting with the expectant father to explain his rights in the adoption process, he agreed with Marie’s decision that adoption was best for their child. Once David was in agreement with the adoption plan, Marie moved forward with choosing an adoptive family. After looking at several adoptive family profiles Marie consulted with her mom, as well as several staff members from her day treatment program. After much contemplation, she chose an adoptive family already raising an adopted child. It was important to Marie that her child had a sibling.
Over the next several months, Marie spent time getting to know the adoptive family and their daughter. When the day of the birth arrived, Marie invited the adoptive family to spend time with her baby girl in the hospital.
Since the adoption, the adoptive family has stayed in touch by sending photos and letters in the mail. Marie and her mom recently met the adoptive family for a picnic. Marie was very happy to report that she has accomplished many of the goals she set for herself. She has maintained a steady job, paid off her credit card debt, remained clean and sober, established many healthy friendships and is pursuing her college degree. Most importantly, Marie is very proud of the decision she made to place her daughter for adoption. Her daughter’s smiles and laughter are proof that she made the right decision!
Sarah contacted Catholic Charities’ adoption program when she was 37 weeks pregnant with twins.
Sarah was in the midst of struggling with the ramifications of some previous negative choices she had made. After learning that she was pregnant with twins, she quickly came to the conclusion that she was not stable enough to give these babies the life she would love for them to have. Originally, she had planned to temporarily place the infants into foster care after their birth to give herself time to get her life in order. However, after realizing that temporary foster care would not be a very stable option she decided that she wanted the twins to be adopted by a “forever family” instead of moving between foster homes until Sarah was in a more stable place in her life.
When Sarah initially contacted Catholic Charities her biggest concern was whether or not the agency would be able to find a home that would adopt both babies. After reassuring her that the agency’s policy with multiples is to always keep them together, she stated that she already felt so much better about her decision to place the babies for adoption.
Within a matter of days, Sarah viewed profiles of waiting adoptive families and met the chosen adoptive couple. Two days after first meeting this couple, Sarah gave birth to healthy twin boys with the adoptive parents present for the birth. The babies were discharged into the home of the adoptive family three days later. Sarah’s decision was made legally final several weeks after the birth.
Sarah has continued to stay in touch with Catholic Charities as well as the adoptive family she chose to parent her baby boys. The photos she receives of her babies with their adoptive parents bring her an enormous sense of peace that she made the right decision. In a letter written to Catholic Charities Sarah wrote, “Thank you so much for helping me find the perfect parents for my babies. I am so blessed, so lucky that everything worked out the way it did.”
Sarah is focusing on working through her own struggles so that she can be the kind of mother her boys admire and respect for the difficult, loving, selfless decision she made when she placed them for adoption.