Confidential Adoptions

Mediated (Semi-Open)

Open Adoptions

No contact between birth and adoptive families. No identifying information is provided.

Non-identifying contact is made (via cards, letters, and pictures) through a third party (e.g., agency or attorney).

Direct interaction between birth and adoptive families. Identities are known.

Only non-identifying information (e.g., height, hair color, medical history, etc.) is provided through a third party (e.g., agency or attorney).

Birth Parents

Provides real choice for birth parents when compared to open adoption.

Allows for some information transfer between birth and adoptive parents (and perhaps the child).

Increased ability to deal with grief and loss.

Privacy.

Some privacy.

Comfort in knowing child's well-being.

Some feel this provides a sense of closure and ability to move on with life.

Sense of control over decision-making in placement.

Potential for more fully defined role in child's life.

Potential to develop a healthy relationship with the child as he or she grows.

Less pain and guilt about the decision.

May make the decision to place for adoption easier (compared to a contested termination of parental rights trial).