Our Blog Posts

Gulf Coast Adoption’s blog page is dedicated to spreading awareness and informing visitors about all things adoption-related so you can more easily navigate this process.

November 27, 2023

Uniting Families in Honor of National Adoption Month

Put good out in the world and good will come back to you. Too often when we think about the Golden Rule of treating others as […]
November 2, 2023

I Am Homeless and Pregnant in Florida – What Can I Do?

Facing the challenges of pregnancy while dealing with homelessness is an undoubtedly daunting situation. However, if you find yourself pregnant and homeless in Florida, there are […]
October 6, 2023

My Baby Was Taken by DCF at the Hospital – What Are My Options in Florida?

Most parents eagerly anticipate the birth of their child. For some, though, what should be an exciting time is marred by the fact that their child […]
August 24, 2023

What Do I Need to Know About Adoption?

Adoption is a life-changing process that creates a legal and permanent parent-child relationship between individuals who are not biologically related. If you are considering adoption in […]
August 15, 2023

I Just Gave Birth But Cannot Parent. What Are My Options?

Bringing a child into the world is a momentous event, but not every birth parent is prepared or able to take on the responsibilities of parenting. […]
August 2, 2023

What Are The Steps to Place My Child For Adoption?

Placing a child for adoption is a significant and often emotional decision. If you are considering placing your child for adoption in Florida, it is crucial […]
July 25, 2023

I Just Found Out I Am Pregnant – What Should I Do?

Women who unexpectedly become pregnant may feel overwhelmed, especially if they lack the desire or means to raise a child. In many instances, women dealing with […]
July 10, 2023

How Can I Let My Friend Adopt My Baby

While many women considering adoption hand-select prospective parents after reviewing profile books of waiting families, some women faced with unplanned pregnancies are fortunate to have friends […]
June 30, 2023

Pregnant And Homeless -What Are My Options?

Many people dream of the day they will become parents and bring their baby home from the hospital. When a woman who is expecting a child […]
May 12, 2023

What a Difference a Day Makes

What a difference a day makes. That was my thought on December 26, 2016, when my wife Cheryl and I met our daughter, Sloane.  I’m sure […]
November 29, 2022

Gulf Coast Adoptions to Open Mobile Alabama Location

Pensacola, FLA. (November 28, 2022) – Gulf Coast Adoptions, by Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon (GCA) is excited to announce a new location in Mobile, Alabama that will serve women […]
October 11, 2022

How Old Can a Child be to Place Them for Adoption?

Most parents intend to raise their children to adulthood. Unfortunately, however, some parents face challenges that render them unable to properly care for their children. While […]
September 29, 2022

Can I Still Get an Abortion in Alabama?

Choosing whether to become a parent is a monumental decision. While many women have time to deliberate the question, others unexpectedly find themselves pregnant and must […]
September 9, 2022

Can I Still Get an Abortion in Florida?

Women dealing with unplanned pregnancies are often uncertain about whether they want to be a parent. Until recently, women throughout the United States had a federally […]
August 4, 2022

The State is trying to terminate my rights. What are my options?

Generally, Florida courts recognize that the bond between a parent and a child is sacred and will do their best to protect and maintain their relationship. […]
July 22, 2022

I no longer want to parent my child. What are my options?

Being a parent is rewarding but can often be challenging and stressful. In some instances, parents lack the ability or means to parent their children and […]
March 15, 2022

Can I Leave My Baby at the Hospital?

For many women, pregnancy is an exciting time during which they eagerly anticipate the birth of their child. Some women, though, lack the resources or ability […]
February 15, 2022

I am considering adoption for my child, What are the steps in Alabama?

If you are pregnant and considering adoption in Alabama, you may have many questions about the process and about whether it is the right choice for […]
January 20, 2022

I am considering adoption for my child. What are the steps in Florida?

Research and Discussion It is important to learn as much as you can about adoption and the adoption process to ensure you make the best choice […]
September 3, 2021

What to Know About the Adoption Tax Credit

The adoption tax credit applies to all adoptions, including private adoption and special needs adoption, with the exception of a stepparent adoption. Qualified Expenses The adoption […]
March 4, 2021

Stepparent Adoption vs. Second-Parent Adoption

The key difference is marriage. If you are married and want to adopt your spouse’s child, you are seeking a stepparent adoption. If you are not […]
August 27, 2020

The Difference Between Foster Care and Adoption

Not all children are provided the love, care, and support they deserve.  Some individuals’ life choices or circumstances simply make it impossible for them to properly […]
May 27, 2020

What is an Adoption Home Study?

When you are adopting a child, you must begin with a home study. An adoption home study is an overview of your life. It consists of […]
April 3, 2020

Private Adoption and COVID-19

In only a few short weeks, the COVID-19 virus has changed the way Americans live. Commerce has ceased in most cities, people have stopped socializing, celebrating, […]
March 9, 2020

What to Do If Someone Wants You to Adopt Their Child

Expectant Mothers – Considering Adoption for My Baby Not everyone who becomes pregnant is ready to raise a child. Unplanned pregnancies can happen.  They are not […]
February 7, 2020

Can I Place My Child for Adoption If I’m Going to Jail or Prison?

Being pregnant in prison is a difficult situation to be in. However, you are not without rights and options. The actions or incidents that led to […]
January 31, 2020

Difference Between an Expectant Mother and a Birth Mother

An unexpected pregnancy can be a surprising and shocking development in your life. Deciding what to do about the pregnancy can be stressful. If your life […]
January 24, 2020

I’m Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption for My Baby

An unexpected pregnancy can bring with it many mixed feelings. You may have feelings of joy and sadness, delight and fear, love and sorrow. If your […]
January 17, 2020

Adopting a Family Member vs. Private Adoption

Relative Adoption When many people hear the word “adoption”, they think of the common scenario of a couple adopting a child not related to them by […]
September 9, 2019

Teen Pregnancy

While the number of teen pregnancies has decreased in the past few years, there are still young ladies who find themselves in this position. This can […]
August 9, 2019

Communication Tips in an Open Adoption

Historically, adoptions were secret arrangements that were filled with confidentiality. The birth parents and adoptive parents didn’t know each other. The child was left with many […]
May 10, 2019

A Guide to Unplanned Pregnancy

An unplanned pregnancy may bring many uncertainties. It can be a scary experience for some women. If you are in this position, there are many things […]
April 26, 2019

Types of Adoption

When starting the adoption process, you have options. You can adopt a child from the U.S. foster care system, adopt an infant or child in the U.S., […]
February 28, 2019

Lost Contact with Birth Parents

If you’ve lost contact with the birth parents, the adoptive family or the adopted child, there are ways to find them.  The State of Florida maintains […]
December 7, 2018

7 Holiday Tips from Gulf Coast Adoptions

The joy of bringing a new child home in time for the holidays is a marvelous feeling for adoptive parents. Gulf Coast Adoptions knows that this […]
November 2, 2018

13 Tips for Adoptive Parents During the Year of Firsts

Bringing a new baby home is an exciting experience, but you need to ensure that you’re prepared for the first year with a new child at […]
October 5, 2018

Important Questions to Ask When Deciding If Adopting a Baby Is Right for You

Making the decision to adopt a baby is a big decision. You and your family members should ensure that you’re prepared for what is to come, […]
September 7, 2018

Pregnant Teens Should Carefully Consider Their Options

Finding out that you’re pregnant before you have things ready for a child can be frightening. For some women or teens, including those who are in […]
August 10, 2018

Tips to Prepare for Baby’s Birth

Preparing for a baby’s birth is a big undertaking. When the baby is going to be adopted, there are two families that must prepare. The birth […]
June 11, 2018

Birth Parents: Points to Remember During the Adoption Process

Many people in society think placing a child for adoption is an easy choice for the birth parents. These individuals don’t realize the amount of thought […]
May 4, 2018

4 Tips for Adoptive Parents

The decision adopt is life changing – for you and for the adoptive child.  The process isn’t always easy, and there may be stressful times until […]
April 23, 2018

How Can I Give My Baby Up for Adoption?

Finding yourself unexpectedly pregnant comes with a variety of emotions, and you may find yourself wondering what’s best for you and your baby. If you’re considering […]
October 10, 2017

How Many Types of Adoption Do You Think There Are?

Did you know there is more than one type of adoption? There are three types and they are commonly referred to as open, semi-open or closed. […]
September 5, 2017

Pensacola, Florida Based Gulf Coast Adoptions Announces the Grand Opening of Its Adoption Law Firm Serving Florida and Alabama

Attorney Clay Whittaker and his wife, Lead Adoption Coordinator Cheryl Whittaker, founded Gulf Coast Adoptions to create new families. Inspired by the adoption of their newborn […]
August 27, 2017

Adoptive Parents – The 2017 Federal Adoption Tax Credit

There is great news for prospective adoptive parents. The federal adoption tax credit that had expired on December 31, 2012, was reenacted in the beginning of […]