What is the difference between an open and a closed adoption?
A closed adoption means that the birth parent(s) and adoptive parents never know each other. Some non-identifying information may be given to adoptive parents in order to assist them in medical situations, but names are not exchanged. An open adoption means that the birth parent(s) and adoptive parents know something about each other. The degree of openness depends on what the birth parent(s) and adoptive parents agree upon. It may be one meeting and first names only or it may be occassional contact even after the birth of the baby.
