YOU DO. We can help introduce you to families from all different parts of the country and from many different backgrounds. You are involved in each and every aspect of the adoption process. You will review photo albums of prospective adoptive parents and receive lots of information about them. Choose which ones you would like to meet, meet with them. If you desire, and if logistics permit, the family of your choice can be involved as your labor coach and be present in the delivery room. Or, you can choose a family without meeting them and without maintaining contact. There are many choices available to you.
Many birth parents receive pictures and letters from the adoptive parents on an ongoing basis. Others have telephone contact and a few actually visit one another. It's important that you choose parents whose feelings about ongoing contact are similar to yours. You can have as much or as little contact as you like, depending on the agreement that's made between yourself and the adopting parents. The choices are yours.
You will know because you chose them, meet them and get to know them. If you chose not to meet them, know that all potential adoptive parents are evaluated in a Home Study process conducted by the state or a private licensed adoption agency. The evaluation is extremely detailed and includes assessments of the couple's marital and financial stability. The home is also be inspected by a social worker to ensure a safe, loving environment for a child.
Not to worry. It's never too late to make an adoption plan. If adoption is the option you have chosen, we can help. We have families who are ready to meet you immediately, if that's what you would like. Sometimes, birth moms call us from the hospital to make an adoption plan after they deliver. We are here to help make the adoption experience a good one for you and your baby, whether you make your decision before or after the baby is born.
Yes. In most cases, if you need financial assistance, your living expenses (e.g. food, rent, utilities,) uncovered medical expenses or other costs (e.g. transportation, maternity clothes, counseling) that are related to the pregnancy can be paid by the adoptive parents, which may vary, depending on the state they are from. All expenses are subject to review by the adoption judge before an adoption is finalized and may be limited by the laws in your state. We will help you and develop a budget making sure you comply with the laws in your state and the state where the adoptive parents reside.
Not to worry. We have worked with many birth moms who have not received prenatal care. We will strive to find confidential health care providers for you in your area.
Yes. If the birth father can be located, he has the right to receive notice of your plans to place his child with adoptive parents. Most of the time, birth fathers will cooperate with your adoption plan. This will alleviate their obligation to support this child. If the birth father is unknown, there are legal avenues available which would allow the adoption to proceed without the necessity of the unknown father's consent.
Yes. The choices are all yours. You decide which doctor you wish to use and the hospital you wish to deliver at.
You can still make an adoption plan. You will be introduced to adoptive families that are comfortable with a birth mother who has a history of drug and/or alcohol use. You have the right to make an adoption plan for your baby that you can feel good about.
No. All of our services to you are free. You are not responsible for any professional fees such as legal, social work or counseling fees. These costs are paid for by the adopting parents whom you have chosen. Living expenses, medical and counseling expenses in most all instances, are covered by the adopting parents and they continue for at least 30 days after the baby is born or 60 days if you deliver by "C" section. (As state law permits).
The birth father does have rights if he is known and can be located. He is usually willing to consent to the adoption. This way, he is not obligated to support the child. In most instances, he needs to be reassured that we will not shut him out of the process and he can be involved if he chooses. When necessary, we will speak to him for you and guide him through the process. In those cases where the birth father refuses to consent, a court action regarding his parental rights can be filed and his rights may be terminated through the court. If the birth father is unknown, there are legal steps that can be taken to proceed without the necessity of the unknown birth father's consent.
Yes. In almost all cases, the adopting parents with your permission, will take the child home directly from the hospital.
An open adoption means you will be the one who chooses the adopting parents for your child which is very different from the traditional adoptions where the agency determined who would raise your child. You will participate fully in your adoption plan. You will get to know the adoptive parents, their values and attitudes to determine what kind of people they are and the life your child will share with them. You decide what kind of contact you want in the future, be it pictures, letters, visits with the family.
