Excerpts from

A Personal Choice
Men and women, whether young or old, single or married, financially stable or struggling, childless or parenting, will choose adoption in response to an untimely pregnancy. The life situations that contribute to this difficult decision are as varied as the people themselves. Choosing adoption instead of abortion or opting to parent is a very personal choice. Advice may be gathered from friends and family, questions can be answered by professionals or others who have gone before you, but ultimetly the decision must be yours. No one really knows what it is like to be in your shoes, and no one really knows what is right for you.
From Chapter 1: Choosing Adoption

"My hospital experience was very positive. I had my own room for labor and delivery, which was very helpful. The nurses were really good to me and made me feel comfortable. All the nurses and the doctor knew of my decision and respected my decision. . . . When my son was born there was a full house . . . It was a wonderful experience for all of us, as well as a very bonding time. I wouldn't change anything about my hospital experience."

"I wish I hadn't played ostrich throughout my pregnancy."

"It was short and scary."
(quotes from birthmothers)

Some women wait until the last minute and make no plans at all, while others have very detailed and specific ideas about their birthing experience. The choices about labor and delivery are yours, even if you are planning on adoption. The dark ages of adoption when women were drugged and their babies whisked away are thankfully gone.
From Chapter 6: Hospital and Birth

The journey from first discovering you are pregnant to placing your child for adoption can be a long and often arduous one, but one also filled with hope and joy. Although some women ultimately decide this is not the right path for them, most women who place their babies with adoptive parents are able to follow through with their decision with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Adoption is not an easy choice. It requires a mixture of determination, patience, the willingness to take risks and vulnerability to emotions.

If adoption is your choice, we sincerely hope that we have been able to provide you with some understanding, knowledge and most importantly, some practical tools you can use along the way. We hope you will find peace with your decision.
From Chapter 11: Circumstances Which Require Additional Thought, Planning and Counseling