Sophia and Carl were happy with their three children -- and then Sophia got pregant with a fourth child. They felt a nervousness mixed with joy - feelings that most parents experience in preparing for a newborn. But they got caught off guard when the child was unexpectedly born with Down’s Syndrome.
Considering Adoption
Fearful, the young parents didn’t know if they could raise their baby. They felt scared the task would be more than they could handle.
They already faced several challenges as their eldest son had behavioral issues. Carl's mother had recently died. Carl and Sophia were in transition with a cross country move. Carl lived on the East Coast with their three children, while Sophia dealt with the unexpected circumstances alone in Phoenix. Unsure of what to do, Sophia and Carl talked about their options and decided to explore the idea of adoption, thinking it might be the best solution.
Adoption Counseling
While still in the hospital, Sophia called the Catholic Charities pregnancy hotline at midnight and spoke to pregnancy counselor Teresa Doud.
Teresa spoke with a tearful Sophia about their situation and made plans to visit her first thing in the morning.
At the hospital, Teresa spoke with Sophia and offered support. Over a two hour period, she answered her questions about adoption and provided her with information and resources for parents raising a child with Down’s Syndrome. Teresa emailed Carl the same information and offered to talk with him on the phone to answer his questions.
Choosing to Parent
The couple spent time thinking and talking about their newborn. Teresa kept in contact with Sophia for nearly two weeks, offering support and answering questions. Reassured by the information they received, the couple decided to parent their child. The decision wouldn't have been as easy if not for the support from people like you give to Catholic Charities to reach out to others, through our pregnancy and adoption hotline. Now, Carl and Sophia are on a journey with their four children to live life to the fullest.
In Need of Help?
Catholic Charities provides free counseling for women who are pregnant and those who have already given birth. Our compassionate counselors will help you understand life-affirming options and connect you to resources to help you parent your child or walk you through the adoption process. Call our toll free number at 1-888-818-4445 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
