Emma's Story
Hi, I’m Emma.
I am the birth mum of my beautiful 5 year old daughter, who is the light of my life!
I was 17 when I fell pregnant and it was a rather scary time, it’s never easy to be faced with a surprise pregnancy.
I knew having a baby was a huge responsibility and so I put a lot of thought into the best way for my daughter to be raised and I also considered adoption, even though I was quite hesitant about it. But it turned out everyone in the adoptions unit at CYF was really lovely and it wasn’t as scary as I thought!
I would encourage anyone to find out how adoption would work for you in your situation, as it may end up being a really positive option, and there is no pressure to continue if you change your mind.
Once I decided adoption was for me I was able to meet with the couple I had chosen, before I placed my baby for adoption which was really important to me.
I see my daughter very regularly, its awesome because it doesn’t feel like awkward arranged visits anymore, it was like that a little bit for the first month or so as we were getting to know each other and everyone was a bit nervous, but my daughters parents are like family now, so its really cool, this adoption just feels like an extended family. My daughter calls me Amai which in her birth father’s language means ‘Mum‘ and she knows I am her tummy mummy. I love my role in her life and we have a very precious relationship, the older she is getting the closer we are getting and its so much fun!
It wasn’t the easiest decision to make but in my situation open adoption has been an amazing experience and has had really positive outcomes for everyone involved.