Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an expectant mother and a birth mother?
A woman is not a birth mother until she places her child for adoption. Prior to placement, she is an expectant mother, just like any other pregnant woman. The terms expectant mother (or emom, for short) and birth mother (bmom) are often used interchangeably. However, the term expectant mother is more respectful.

What is the difference between traditional scrapbooking and digital scrapbooking?

What kind of pictures, memorabilia, and information should I include in my book?

How do I give you my pictures? How do I know they won't get lost or damaged?
If you are sending paper photos via postal mail, you should ensure that you have copies - either the negatives, "doubles", or electronic.

How many pages are included in your books?
As many as you need. There are no standard templates; you can have as many or as few pages as you need to tell your story. You can also choose generally how many photos you want to see on a page.

Define "page".
A "page" is one side of one piece of paper. A layout is generally a two-page spread.

Will you cut any of my photos?
If you have provided paper photos, as opposed to digital photos, we can scan those photos and place them on CD. You then have the option of using the originals or prints of the scanned photos. If you do not want us to cut a particular photo, provide that information in the Photo Inventory Sheet included in your client information package. Any physical photos not used will be returned to you. 
Note: Polaroid pictures are never altered. Photos from before 1970 will only be altered with your explicit permission.

Can you fix my photos?
Meant to Be can fix minor photo issues, including: red eye, too light/too dark, blurriness, and cropping excess background. We can create certain photo effects, including: converting from color to sepia or black and white, softening, or creating a glow. We can try to restore faded photos electronically.

What type of materials do you use? Can I give you embellishments (stickers, paper, etc.) to use?

How does journaling work?

What are the shipping options and costs?

Can I have extra copies of my project?

Can I have my project on CD to put on the Internet?

Who do you use to print the scrapbooks and photo-gifts?

If we already have a profile, can you look at it and give us feedback?
Certainly! If you have a profile, or part of a profile, and want guidance or help completing it, we can do that. The fee for reviewing a profile is $X. If you choose to have Meant to Be help complete or re-create your profile, the review fee will be applied to the cost of the profile work.

Can you guarantee that an expectant mom will choose our family if we use your services?
No. And neither can anyone else. Expectant parents may connect with anything - a specific photo, a type of paper, cute stickers. We cannot tell you "If you include 2 pictures of your house, 4 pictures of you smiling, and 1 picture of your cat, an emom will pick you." We believe that a professionally done, personal adoption profile can give you a great advantage over other prospective adoptive parents. But we cannot guarantee that an expectant mother will choose you just because you chose Meant to Be.

Can you tell us how to find an expectant mother?
We cannot specifically tell you how to find an expectant mother. The Resources page includes links to some excellent sites that can help you with that. We can tell you that many prospective adoptive parents have success passing out business cards to everyone they know, even leaving them in places like restaurants and doctors' offices. Some people mail fliers with their holiday cards, and find expectant mothers through the friend of a cousin's friend.  

Can you design a web page (or web site) for us?
Robyn does have an extensive design background, including many years as a technical writer who created web pages and content. If you are looking for a simple style (like this site), then yes, Meant to Be can create a web page or small web site for you. Please be aware that adoption web site creation is not our specialty.

Who are you and how do you know what expectant mothers want?
Excellent question! Read About Us for the answer.

Will you use my project to advertise for your services?
Meant to Be will use your project for publicity purposes only if you explicitly grant permission. A Photo Release form is included in the client information packet. If you would like to allow us to use your project, or portions of your project, for advertising purposes, we would be appreciative. However, we will respect your wishes on the subject.