As Tamara (pseudonym) drove to her abortion appointment, the radio played an ad for Pregnancy Center Plus (PCPlus). Her eyes welled with tears. In that moment, she changed course and drove directly to PCPlus. She was 12-weeks pregnant, her boyfriend had recently died in a car crash, and she was overwhelmed by the thought of raising a child alone. Was adoption an option? She was relieved to learn that PCPlus had an on-site adoption agency that could see her immediately.

Redefining Adoption

Tamara’s story is not unique. While laws and common practices around adoption have changed, misinformation and outdated language perpetuate a stigma. We strive at PCPlus to transform the understanding of adoption into what it truly is: a loving alternative women consider and choose with pride and courage rather than secrecy and shame. For over five years we have worked to make adoption education and counseling a core part of our comprehensive services.

We present adoption positively through various mediums, including educational materials, videos created by birth mothers, and the opportunity for women to connect face to face with other women who made adoption plans.

Using Empowering Language

At Pregnancy Center Plus, we know that using the right words is crucial for expressing the proper respect due to all parties involved—birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. Some outdated terms have demeaning connotations, so we carefully choose positive language when discussing adoption with a pregnant woman (and her partner).

A woman who chooses adoption is putting tremendous thought, heart, and care into her child’s long-term future. She’s not “giving up” her baby; she’s providing for her child through a difficult but courageous decision. It’s an incredibly selfless act.

Quick Guide to Empowering

Adoption Language:

• Say, “Make an adoption plan” instead of “Give away your ”
• Say, “Place your child for adoption” instead of “Put up for adoption.”
• Say, “Choose to parent” instead of “Keep the baby.”
• Say, “Birth mother/father” instead of “Real mother/father.”
• Say, “Parent” instead of “Adoptive parent.”
• Say, “Was adopted” instead of “Is adopted.” (The adoption was a past event, not a state of being; just as we say someone “was born” instead of “is ”)
• Say, “Unexpected or unplanned” instead of “Unwanted.”

On-Site Support for a Difficult Decision

Adoption professionals, located inside PCPlus, offer a pressure-free space for women (and their partners) to explore adoption. As Tamara discovered, our licensed social workers and legal professionals provide guidance throughout the entire process, including post-adoption peer support.

Tamara was reassured to learn:

• This was not foster care. Her baby would go home from the hospital with the adoptive family she chose.
• She was in control. She could choose the adoptive family from multiple, pre-screened, approved, and prepared couples.
• She could decide the level of contact with the adoptive family after the adoption.
• There would be no costs to her. In fact, she could receive help with living expenses.
• She would not need to go to court.

Tamara left with hope, several profile books of potential adoptive families, and a new life-affirming plan for her baby and herself. It was a decision they could both live with. ✣

Laura Curran is the Executive Director of Pregnancy Center Plus. PCPlus is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. All services are free and confidential.

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This article appeared in the December 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.