FLORIDA ADOPTION AGENCY — Josephine Series — Part 2 of 3 — HEART TO HEART ADOPTIONS
"I Need Help Today for this Pregnancy," was Her First Thought
Josephine searched ‘adoption agency near me’ in a panic. When she found Heart to Heart Adoptions, one of her first questions was, “What do I do if the birth father doesn’t want the baby to be placed for adoption?” What she found, what she felt, and how the conversation with the baby’s father changed everything.
"I Need Help Today for this Pregnancy," is what she searched when she found out
“I didn’t know I was pregnant,” Josephine said. “I knew I was tired, but I didn’t know I was pregnant. I needed a good Florida adoption agency near me and i needed them quick.”
“The pregnancy was hard on me,” Josephine said with a faint smile. “But it must have been even harder on her.”
When the pregnant woman spoke about “her” she was talking about the baby girl.
The new mother’s devotion to her baby girl was evident. “She chose me to carry her, out of all people. I’ve never been pregnant before. I was reckless as a teen and never once had a pregnancy scare. I’m 34 now, never having used birth control. This was the last thing I ever expected.”
What her life looked like when she realized she was six months pregnant
Before discovering the pregnancy, Josephine shared her cramped room with a coworker from the historic hotel where they both worked.
They were just a block away from their job where people from all over the world flew to Florida for vacation. These women were not on vacation. They worked hard to provide for the vacationers. The two women shared a bathroom with other boarders and often split cheap fast food meals to save money.
“I was losing weight,” Josephine recalled. “We’d make a McDonald’s cheeseburger and Arizona iced tea last all night between us.”
But Josephine’s energy had vanished, and her boss noticed other signs. She urged Josephine to get checked out.
The call she had to make and what the birth father said.
The positive test came as a shock, as did learning the baby’s low 10th percentile weight. From that moment, Josephine took every precaution to ensure a healthy delivery. She attended multiple doctors visits a week and picked up overtime shifts, knowing the disability payments would be based on her recent wages. “I was going to so many doctor’s appointments and working right up until the birth,” she said.
"So, I needed an adoption agency near me. Someone I could trust."
When Josephine told her mother about the pregnancy, the older woman wasn’t angry, just scared.
“We talked about my ten years as an addict, part of that time homeless,” Josephine explained. “My life was finally coming together. What would a baby do to that?”
What made her decide adoption was best for her daughter
The baby’s father was set to get out of jail shortly after the due date. He was thrilled about becoming a dad. But Josephine harbored doubts. Though she already loved the child deeply, she just wasn’t sure she could handle motherhood.
Josephine faced a difficult decision. Would she raise the baby herself or consider adoption? The expectant mother searched her heart, knowing she had to do what was best for the little girl who had chosen her.
Where is an Adoption Agency for Me?
What do I do if I just found out I am already six months pregnant?
Call Heart to Heart right now: 877-437-3424. A counselor is available 24/7. Late pregnancy discovery is more common than you might think. It is not too late to make an adoption plan, get financial support, or simply talk through your options.
Is it too late to make an adoption plan if I am six months pregnant?
No. Heart to Heart works with birth mothers at every stage of pregnancy, including women who discovered their pregnancy late. Call 877-437-3424 if you are in this situation.
Do I have to tell the birth father?
Florida law requires that the birth father be notified in certain situations, depending on his legal relationship to you and whether he has established paternity. In Josephine’s case the birth father was in prison. That does not mean he doesn’t have rights. Josephine took the time to discuss the baby’s future with him and explained about an open adoption and how he would always know how the baby was doing. Your case manager and independent attorney will explain exactly what applies to your situation.
What financial help is available if I need it immediately?
Financial assistance for rent, food, medical care, and other pregnancy-related expenses starts as soon as you reach out. If your situation is urgent, call 877-437-3424 right now and tell the counselor what you need.
How quickly can Heart to Heart help if I just found out I am pregnant?
Immediately. Heart to Heart counselors are available 24/7. for emergency planning.
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Reviewed by licensed adoption professionals at Heart to Heart Adoptions.
Wendy Knowles, Birth Parent Support Specialist
Michelle Barrus, Birth Parent Support Specialist
Jodi Grizzle, LCSW
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