If you are wondering how to give a baby up for adoption, you have come to the right place. Adoption Alliance can help you throughout the entire process.
First and foremost, there is no cost whatsoever for birth parents who give up their baby for adoption in Texas. So there is no reason to hold back with concerns about “Does it cost to put a child up for adoption?” or “can I afford it?”
Birth parents do need to take some important steps before giving a baby up for adoption, not to mention some legal prerequisites that we will discuss further in this article. It is within our biggest interest at The Adoption Alliance to place your newborn into the most caring, pre-screened, best fit adoptive family.
Is Putting Your Baby Up For Adoption The Right Choice?
It is very important to consider all your options as well as have the right guidance and support to do so.
Firstly, you must be sure that putting your baby up for adoption is what you want to do. Adoption is not always an easy decision and you should not do it by yourself or without proper consideration.
Always keep in mind the best interest of the baby. Your decision should be out of sheer love for the baby and your wish for them to have the best life possible.
Contact the Best Adoption Agency
It is also important to mention that if you are in a stage of uncertainty, having support with an agency to help answer any questions you may have is what Adoption Alliance are here to help you with.
After deciding adoption is your choice, the next step would be to create an adoption plan with a licensed adoption agency. This is where Adoption Alliance can be of assistance. We will be your guide throughout the entire process. You are in control of your own specific adoption plan and we work together to make sure that plan is carried out the way you want it.
Consider an agency that will provide personal support and always be there for you if you have questions or concerns. Do your research on what type of emotional and financial support you will need from the agency.
Usually, the first call helps you determine if your agent is friendly and caring. You will need all the support you can get during this process.
Pick an Adoption Plan
When you give your baby up for adoption, you are in control and can decide what adoption plan will work best for you. In Texas, there are three main types of adoption plans:
1. Closed adoption
In this plan, you do not need to keep in touch with the baby or the adoptive family after the adoption process is completed. However, you can contact them if you wish.
2. Semi-Open Adoption
This happens when communication between the birth mother and the adoptive family is private and non-identifying. In this case, the agency mediates communication through phone calls, emails, photos, and letters.
3. Open Adoption
Any type of adoption that leaves the line of communication between the birth parents and adoptive parents open after the adoption process is complete. How open this communication is will depend on you.
Your adoption advisor can help you make the best decision on which plan will work best for you.
You Can Pick the Family
The question of what family your baby is going to live with is up to you. Remember that you are putting the baby’s interest first, and this part of the process is truly exciting!
You may also skip this step if you would rather not choose which family adopts your baby.
Please do know that if you’d rather not pick the family yourself, your child will still be matched with a wonderful and loving pre-screened family by our professional staff.
One of the advantages of picking a family is that you can rest assured that your baby will go to a family you are comfortable with. You will be presented with all the profiles of prospective adoptive parents to review and pick the best family you feel your baby would have the best life with.
From our experience, this process provides a sense of confidence and peace since, after looking through all the profiles, birth mothers finally do choose the one right family for their baby.
Make Hospital Plans
During this step of giving babies up for adoption, you can pick your hospital plan. Your adoption specialist can also help you here as there are many decisions to make.
These will include:
• What hospital will you be getting prenatal care and give birth at.
• The role that your prospective adoptive parents play while you deliver is up to you. Decide if you want them to accompany you to the hospital. You can also decide if you want a relative, friends, or your adoption specialist to be there with you.
• You choose the amount of time, if any, that you want to spend with the baby after birth. In Texas, you have to wait 48 hours after the child’s birth before signing the final adoption consent.
• Everything will be planned out for your specific situation for you to be as comfortable as possible. As mentioned, birth parents do not pay for anything during the adoption process.
• All costs including medical expenses, along with a wide range of additional services, we also provide living expenses, transportation, legal advice and counseling services.
• Birth parents also receive 100% confidentiality. It is our promise to maintain your privacy and confidentiality at all times.
Place the Baby for Adoption
You have come this far with determination, and you should be proud of yourself! You are only one step away from providing the best life possible for your baby.
When two days have already passed after giving birth, you will go into the next part of the process. This part of the process usually happens at the hospital before you even get home. This may happen sooner, so it is a good question to confirm with your agency who is supporting you at this time.
Then the adoption placement is now finalized, you have relinquished your parental rights, and this responsibility is passed on to the adoptive parents.
Once this step is completed, and the decision is considered final.
Again, if there are lingereing questions before this final part, please let your agency know any and all final questions so your mind can be at ease.
Get Support
A couple of things important to note here. First, although your part of the adoption process has finalized, this does not mean that it is all over. Depending on the plan you selected, you can stay in touch with the adoptive family and the baby. Adoption Alliance will provide all the support you need to maintain communication if you choose to do so.
Second, this whole process can be draining for the birth mother. We are here to help you through this emotional stage by arranging any type of help or support you might need after the baby’s birth and subsequent adoption process.
What If I Want To Give My Baby Up For Adoption After Birth?
That is perfectly ok. The decision can be made after the baby is born at the hospital, or even at your home.
There are many reasons a woman may have for giving up a baby for adoption. Please get in touch with us today at Adoption Alliance to help you decide which is the best type of adoption option for you.