Families can pursue several options to adopt a baby: domestic public agency adoption, domestic private agency adoption, international adoption and independent non-agency adoption.

If you would like to adopt a child, but do not have a lot of money to spend on agency fees, attorneys and international travel, consider a domestic adoption through your state's child protection agency.

Putting a child up for adoption is a very serious decision that can change the rest of your life as well as the life of your child. Many times, adoption leads to a complete relinquishing of parental rights and offers no guarantee that the biological parents will be able to interact with their child in the future.

Choosing to carry a child for a friend is a selfless act that takes an incredible amount of love and sacrifice. The decision to become a surrogate mother for a friend requires a commitment that lasts in excess of nine months.