21 Aug How to Give Your Baby Up for Adoption

You may notice we use the phrase “give baby up for adoption”. We know that this phrase is not considered adoption friendly. Yes, a birthmother legally gives up her parental rights, but she certainly does not give up on her baby or give up loving him or her. Saying a birthmother “gave her baby up for adoption” suggests she made the wrong choice. While positive adoption language is very important to us, we still use the term “give baby up for adoption” in order to connect with those expectant mothers who may not be aware of the negative connotations of the phrase.

You understand that when a woman “gives her baby up for adoption,” she is NOT giving up an unloved or unwanted child. When a woman chooses adoption, she is doing one of the most loving, brave, and selfless things possible. She is recognizing her current situation and actively choosing to give her baby a better life. That difficult choice can only come from the deepest love for her baby.

1. Contact Cradle of Hope: Whether you’ve decided to give your baby up for adoption or are not sure yet, contacting us is the first step. Call Cradle of Hope at 301-587-4400 or you can call or text us anytime at 301-905-9999. Our adoption coordinators can provide you with information, answer your questions, and help you make your adoption decision.

2. Complete background paperwork: You will complete Cradle of Hope’s Social/Medical background form, letting us know about your history, including health issues, drug use, education, other children in the family, etc. You will sign a Medical Release form so that we can obtain your prenatal records and know about the baby’s health. We will also need information about the baby’s father.

3. Meet with a Cradle of Hope social worker: Once you decide you’d like to move forward with an adoption, we will connect you with an experienced social worker in your area who will meet with you at a time and location convenient to you to discuss your needs and wants.

4. Create an Adoption Plan: We will help you create an adoption plan based on your specific criteria. Start by choosing a family from our Waiting Parent profiles. Also think about the level of contact you’d like to have with the adoptive parents and the baby before and after the baby is born and placed for adoption.

5. Communicate with a Family: When you find an adoptive family you like, you can start communicating with them via text, phone, or email or meet them in person — whatever you’re most comfortable with.

6. Financial Support: After you meet with a social worker and choose an adoptive family, they can begin providing some financial assistance, depending on your state’s laws. In some areas, you will need a doctor’s note first. The adopting family can help with medical, legal, food, shelter and clothing. Your Cradle of Hope social worker will continue to check in with you and help with anything that comes up. You can continue to communicate with your adoptive family as much or as little as you wish. As you get closer to your due date, your social worker will help you make a hospital plan for when you deliver the baby.

7. Place Baby for Adoption: After the baby is born, you’ll have the option to spend time with your baby alone or with the adoptive family. The baby will be discharged from the hospital directly into the care of the adoptive family.

8. Documentation: While you’re in the hospital, you will sign the legal documents consenting to the adoption. Your social worker or attorney will guide you through this entire process. There will be paperwork for the baby’s father to sign too. You will have a revocation period of 10 – 30 days depending on where the baby is born, during which you can change your mind about the adoption.

9. After the Placement: After the adoption is completed, the level of contact you’ll have with the baby and adoptive family depends on the contact agreement that you and the family have entered into. The post-adoption experience is different for every birthmother, but you will probably experience an array of emotions, both positive and negative. One thing that will help you during this time is to have a plan for yourself. Cradle of Hope can work with you to put together a post-adoption plan that will help you move forward in a healthy way and ensure you have the support you need after the adoption.

Cradle of Hope Adoption Center can be reached 24/7 at 301-905-9999.