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BIRTH PARENTS:
PLANNING ADOPTION FOR YOUR CHILD
Should I
consider adoption for my child?
An unplanned
pregnancy may require you to make plans and decisions about
your child’s future that may be very difficult. Social
workers and other professionals are available to help you
through this process. Adoption is a legal procedure, which
cannot be reversed once you sign a relinquishment or consent
for a specific family to adopt your child. Be certain you
take adequate time to carefully consider all options before
making this decision. Counseling services are available
through your local State, County, or private adoption
agency.
What if I
decide to pursue adoption?
There are
two ways to plan an adoptive placement. One is for you to
work with a State, County, or private agency to place your
child with one of its approved and waiting families. The
other is to have the agency assist you in arranging for the
baby’s placement with a family whom you know would be
interested in adopting your child.
What if I
decide to request placement through a State, County, or
private agency?
If you
decide to use the placement services of an agency, a social
worker will be assigned to help you. You may choose to
participate in selecting the adoptive family by reading home
studies or meeting families. Also, you may allow the agency
to decide who the adoptive family will be. If you require
medical or financial assistance, the agency worker can
assist in identifying resources, which may be of help to
you. Ongoing counseling is also given in preparation for the
child’s birth and what can be expected after the baby is
born.
Because you
must wait at least 72 hours after the baby’s birth before
signing a relinquishment or consent, your social worker will
discuss what temporary placement plans your prefer for your
baby after he or she is born. You may decide to:
- Take
the baby home and care for him or her yourself; or
- Allow
the baby to remain in the hospital (if permitted by the
hospital); or
- Permit
the agency to place the baby in temporary foster care.
You may ask for the child’s return to you at any time
before you sign relinquishments or consents
Once you
have signed the relinquishment or consent for the child’s
adoption, you will receive a copy of all paperwork for your
records. The social worker will then arrange for the baby to
be released to the adoptive family.
What if I
find a family whom I want to adopt my baby?
If you find
a family whom you want to adopt your baby, you may make
plans directly with that family. In that case, the family
applies to have a home study completed and the agency social
worker will meet with you to confirm your adoption placement
plans with that specific family. Some birth parents prefer
this option because all identifying information is exchanged
and it is possible to make plans for some type of ongoing
contact after the baby is placed (letters, pictures and/or
visits). Also in these types of adoptions, the adoptive
parents can sometimes assist you with payment of expenses
related to the pregnancy.
If you
decide on a plan for adoption with a specific family, you
must wait 72 hours before signing consents and the family
must have an approved home study completed by an adoption
agency before the baby can be placed.
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