I’m thrilled to share Keisha’s inspiring story, she’s a member of our community who has navigated the complex journey of infant adoption as a Single Mother by Choice (SMC) and a woman of color. Keisha’s story is a powerful testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of love. We discussed Keisha’s story in more depth in this podcast episode: What’s It Like When Your Baby Finds YOU! w/ Keisha.
Keisha’s Path to Motherhood
Keisha lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and her journey began with the decision to pursue motherhood in her mid-30s, despite not having a partner. Initially, Keisha explored intrauterine insemination (IUI) with a known donor. However, after discovering she had fibroids, she had to undergo a myomectomy. Despite these efforts, her attempts to conceive were unsuccessful, leading her to consider donor embryos.
Overcoming Obstacles with Faith
Keisha’s journey was anything but smooth. She faced numerous challenges, including failed embryo transfers and the emotional toll of miscarriages. However, her faith and determination kept her moving forward. She creatively sought solutions, such as applying for grants from Gifts of Parenthood and taking a job at Amazon to access fertility benefits. These efforts enabled her to purchase donor eggs and sperm, leading to the creation of embryos.
Despite these advancements, Keisha’s final embryo transfer did not result in pregnancy. The physical and emotional pain of this experience led her to a significant realization: it was time to pivot to adoption. Guided by her faith, Keisha knew she was meant to be a mother and was ready to embrace a new path.
Pivot to Adoption
In June 2023, Keisha began the adoption process, completing her home study paperwork and attending training sessions. She found an agency that resonated with her values, particularly the importance of not coercing birth mothers and ensuring they felt supported.
During the training, Keisha stood out as the only black prospective parent. The agency director assured her that she would be matched quickly, as many birth mothers preferred families of color. True to this prediction, Keisha completed her home study in record time and was listed on the agency’s website by the end of September.
Keisha’s first match with a birth mother ended when the mother decided to parent her child. This was a challenging setback, but it reinforced Keisha’s faith in the rightness of her path and the integrity of her chosen agency. Shortly after, Keisha was matched with a second birth mother. However, this match also fell through due to the mother’s unpredictable behavior and demands.
The Role of Faith
Throughout these challenges, Keisha’s faith never wavered. In January, after terminating the second match, Keisha felt an inexplicable urge to prepare her home for a baby, even installing a car seat in the middle of the night. The very next day, she received a call from her agency: a baby girl had been born on January 6th, and the birth mother had chosen Keisha to adopt her.
Keisha’s faith and perseverance had finally brought her to this moment. By 3 PM that day, she was at the hospital, meeting her daughter for the first time. This little girl, born at the beginning of January, was meant to be Keisha’s child.
Life as a New Mom
Today, Keisha is embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood. Despite the lack of sleep and the adjustments required, she feels a profound sense of fulfillment and love. Her daughter, Hannah, named after the biblical figure who prayed for a child, is thriving and growing every day.
Keisha’s journey underscores the importance of community and support. Her coworkers and friends have rallied around her, providing meals, cleaning, and emotional support. While her family lives far away, the connections she has built locally have been invaluable.
Keisha’s journey to motherhood through adoption is a beautiful example of faith in action. Despite numerous setbacks and challenges, her unwavering belief in her calling to be a mother led her to her daughter, Hannah. For anyone considering this path, Keisha’s story offers hope and inspiration, proving that with faith, perseverance, and love, anything is possible.
Advice for Prospective Single Mothers by Choice
Keisha’s story is a powerful reminder that faith can be a guiding light through the most challenging times. She advises other prospective single mothers by choice to stay focused on their goal, seek out supportive communities, and remain open to creative solutions. We are grateful to Keisha for sharing her incredible journey and look forward to supporting many more women on their paths to motherhood.
