I was completely heartbroken to find out that I was expecting again.
At the time my then husband and I were renting one bedroom from a family along with our 3-month-old baby and my two toddlers. We carefully considered all of our options, and I knew that this precious child needed me to choose adoption.
Halfway through the pregnancy doctors discovered a birth defect called Spina Bifida. I was devastated. My specialist made it very clear it wasn’t too late to reconsider my “options,” but I was confident that God had a plan for her LIFE. So I continued the adoption process.
At 39 weeks along, I went to the hospital in an ambulance for an emergency C-section. I heard her first cry. I asked if she was okay, and the doctors said yes! After two days, I left the hospital to get back to my small children who were waiting for me to get home. Four days later I decided to meet her. I was scared that if I held her I would never let go, but I found more strength and faith that I never knew I had.
Today she has an amazing forever family who travels out of state so she can get the best care possible. She is 5 & 1/2 years old - very happy, so smart, funny and loved. I’m now a single mother of three children, and I get to visit my (4th) baby who I placed for adoption about once a year. I couldn’t have asked for a better family for her. My gratitude has outweighed any negative feeling that surfaces when grieving. Adoption is worth it.
Anybody facing an unplanned pregnancy needs to know that you are not alone. You are strong. You are brave!
Picture collage (clockwise): Birth mom Laurisa and adoptive mom with their daughters; Laurisa's birth daughter; Laurisa's children; adoptive family
First picture: Adoptive mom (left), birth mom Laurisa (right), and their precious daughter
