One of my complaints during my pregnancy was that I didn't have a lot of information. That's why I strive so hard to get information "out there" for expectant mothers considering placement. And so I come here today imploring birth parents to take a few minutes, visit this site and put up a review of your agency experience.

Adoption Agency Ratings is mostly filled with adoptive parent reviews. Some are good, some are bad. It's a great resource. But we, as birth parents, can improve upon what is already pretty awesome. By including our experience, expectant parents considering placement... more

Lately, I have come across a few questionnaires/checklists designed to help prospective adoptive parents choose an adoption agency. Few offer any suggestions that might help determine the ethical nature of an agency (or lack of it).

Here are some questions that might help locate an agency that is highly ethical and concerned about facilitating adoptions that are necessary.

1. What percentage of the women who begin an adoption plan at your agency back out and decide to keep their babies?

2. Do you offer pregnant women considering... more

Child adoption facilitators versus child adoption agencies: The US government and many state authorities are receiving and ever growing number of complaints concerning child adoption facilitators operating in various states and countries.

Agencies vs. Facilitators is an informative article about the differences between using agencies or adoption facilitators to adopt. Laws differ from state to state about whether facilitators can legally operate,... more

10. Try to find other women who have placed children with the agency that you are considering and talk to them. Find not only recent birth mothers, but, some who have placed further back in time. Although the agency may provide you with birth mothers to talk to who have placed, they will most likely be hand picked and strong advocates for adoption. Keep that in mind.

11. In picking an adoption agency, trust your instincts. If anything about an agency doesn’t seem on the up and up, be suspicious and investigate further. Check with the... more

More Points For a Birth Mother to Consider in Choosing an Adoption Agency:

2. Choose an agency that indicates that many of the pregnant women who come to their agency change their minds and end up parenting if possible. Some agencies boast that few if any of the pregnant women who walk into their doors change their minds. Be suspicious if an agency makes this or similar claims.

3. If you decide on an open adoption, it might be particularly helpful if the agency you use is able to mediate any problems that arise after the adoption.... more

Admittedly I have never chosen an adoption agency. When my son was relinquished, I was driven to the agency and the arrangements were made during one visit which lasted several hours. In retrospect, I am grateful that the agency is one that now offers post-adoption support.

When my son decided that he wanted contact with me, all that he needed to do was tell the agency to search for me and fork over $500 - nine months later, they found me. The non-indentifying information was another charge.

My knowledge of adoption agencies is therefore limited to the information... more