A Closer Look at Hybrid Adoptions

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Choosing the right type of adoption is just as important as the choice of adoption itself. This is a lifelong choice that affects all parties involved. A birthmother’s choice for an open, closed or hybrid (semi open) adoption will impact her, her child and the adoptive parents. It is important to understand the ins and outs of each adoption type and what that looks like for everyone during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Let’s take a closer look at a hybrid or semi open adoption. Choosing the right type of adoption is just as important as the choice of adoption itself. This is a lifelong choice that affects all parties involved. A birthmother’s choice for an open, closed or hybrid (semi open) adoption will impact her, her child and the adoptive parents. It is important to understand the ins and outs of each adoption type and what that looks like for everyone during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Let’s take a closer look at a hybrid or semi open adoption.

A semi open adoption choice is one that allows contact between birthmothers and adoptive parents without sharing any personal or identifying information. This adoption choice allows for some contact and updates throughout the child’s life indirectly through a third party, like an adoption agency. 

What does a Hybrid Adoption look like for Birth Mothers?

Commonly considered a “happy medium” of adoption types, a semi open adoption can provide privacy and a sense of closure while staying connected to their child in some way.

Pros:

– Ability to “see” their child grow

– Eased fear that they made the right decision

– Privacy

– Reduced guilt

Considerations:

– Lack of full anonymity and confidentiality

– Loss of contact with adoptive family

– Contact with child too limited

– Potential feeling of obligation to connect with her child

– Role identity issues

What does a Hybrid Adoption look like for Adoptive Parents?

Semi open adoptions provide the family freedom of a closed adoption and the knowledge of an open adoption. More beneficial information (medical history) is shared while the identity of the birth mother is protected.

Pros:

– Communication through agency while maintaining their own privacy

– Sense of closure knowing more about their new child’s birthmother

– Easier access to medical information

– Comfort from knowing they were specifically chosen for their child

Considerations:

– Potential obligation to continue contact

– Desire for more contact than the birth mother is comfortable with

What does a Hybrid Adoption look like for Adoptive Children?

For adoptees, there are many pros & few cons in a semi open adoption. This set up allows them to know where they came from and gives them the opportunity to understand why their birth mother chose adoption. This choice allows them to understand their family boundaries and the roles that each parent plays.

Pros:

– Answers to many questions

– Link to heritage and ancestry

– Access to medical information

– Reduced feeling of unwantedness

– No need to search for biological family

Considerations:

– There may be troubled family history from biological parents that could be traumatic for the child

– Limited contact available even if the child would like more

If you are on the fence between an open and closed adoption, then a hybrid or semi open adoption that uses a mediator may be a better fit. Selecting a semi open adoption is a lifelong commitment, make sure you choose the adoption type that is right for you.

Understanding the differences in adoption options and deciding what’s best for you can be stressful, but the team at A Birthmother’s Choice can offer support and resources to help you understand and exercise your adoption rights every step of the way.

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