Our fantastic counselors are here to help you decide if adoption is right for you. We will never pressure you into making a decision. Once you feel that you want to start with the adoption process, you can expect to be involved in four different phases that will help you through the journey.

1. Making Contact: Call us and meet with one of our caring counselors. During this phase, you will begin filling out paperwork and help us get your prenatal records, or begin receiving medical care if you have not already done so.

2. Making a Plan: Our counselors are here to assist you in making a plan that best meets your needs. No one will try to force you into making a certain decision. Let your counselor know your needs and what is most important to you. During this phase:

• We will be working to understand your needs.
• Premier will help you with living assistance (including relocation if necessary) life planning and development, financial assistance, educational placement, employment placement and assistance with state aid and other community resources. You may also receive counseling if you desire.
• We will help you understand your options in selecting an adoptive family. We can work with your preferences on race, age, socio-economic status and religion, and will even select a family for you if you prefer. Ultimately, all choices about the adoptive family will be up to you.
• You will decide how open you would like the adoption to be. You may choose not to meet with the adoptive family, or you may see the family in pictures, in person, at doctor visits and even at the delivery. You may also decide to receive pictures and letters from the adoptive family after the baby is born.
• You will be preparing yourself for your future by becoming educated about adoption, and by learning what you can expect when you go into labor and deliver your baby. You may want to consider labor and delivery classes to help you feel more comfortable as delivery approaches.

3. Placement: During your adoption planning phase, you have prepared for everything that will occur after the baby is born. You feel that adoption is best for your baby. However, placement can still be a difficult phase. We know that you are making an amazing sacrifice as you give the gift of a tiny life to another family, and we are here to help you through it. Part of your time will go to signing legal documents so that your baby may be placed with the adoptive family. At the same time, you may struggle with feelings of sadness. Your feelings are normal, and we will be here for you.

4. Post-Placement: Feelings of grief and loss are very common after placing a baby for adoption. We are here to listen to you and provide counseling during this time. We honor you for the courageous decisions you have made, and want to help you find healing, which will come in time. We also want to give you the love and support you need to help you on the road to a bright future. As for many birthmothers who have gone before you, this adoption can act as a springboard to your new life. Always remember how special and how strong you are.