Arranging a confidential adoption through a reputable agency makes it easier to gain information, mediated contact, and assistance, if necessary. The birthparents choose a family from written non-identifying material provided by the agency. An agency or third party mediates the contact between the parties before and after the birth. Birthparents and adoptive parents know each other by their first names only. Adoptive parents may be present at the birth and may have met the birthparents before the birth.
All correspondence is sent through the agency or third party.
Post-placement meetings are arranged and supervised by the mediator. Adoptive parents often share the child's pictures and letters with the birthparents, but may also include gifts, videotapes, etc. The advantage of this arrangement is that both families have the opportunity to develop a relationship over time. A semi-open adoption gives everyone the freedom to communicate with the assistance of a trained mediator. Perhaps the greatest advantage of this plan lies in the area of sharing information.