18 Jul Putting Together a Last Minute Adoption Plan
Pregnancy can be a difficult and trying time for a new mother, but an unplanned pregnancy is a whole other experience. Everyone’s different, which also means everyone takes their own time to process this shock and begin exploring their choices regarding the pregnancy. Maybe you can’t decide if adoption is right for you. Perhaps you’ve already decided on adoption but haven’t made up your mind on which agency to use. Regardless, you’ve found yourself down to the wire and you’re worried about how to form the best adoption plan at the last minute. Cradle of Hope offers plenty of resources and options for birth mothers, no matter the stage of your pregnancy.
It’s all about working with the right team. Our staff consists of friendly, licensed specialists trained to support you and your decisions as you develop your adoption plan. With individual assistance and support from adoption caseworkers, you can explore the various options available when placing a baby for adoption. When putting together a plan, your Cradle of Hope caseworker can help you sort through potential adoptive families and choose how involved you wish to be after the baby has been placed in his or her new home.
I Am Currently Pregnant
If you’re still pregnant, Cradle of Hope will help you throughout the remainder of your pregnancy and beyond. If expenses are a concern, we may be able to provide financial assistance if your doctor says you can’t work due to the pregnancy or delivery. Maybe the legal aspects of adoption in your state aren’t clear to you. If that is the case, we offer a free consultation with an independent attorney who can walk you through the specifics and answer your questions. Our support and assistance are always available, no matter how far along you are in the pregnancy.
When establishing an adoption plan, your adoption caseworker can walk you through the steps, even with a last minute adoption. When choosing an adoptive family, we can offer a versatile list that can cater to whatever aspects you highlight as most important. Your Cradle of Hope caseworker can also organize meetings with prospective adoptive families if you would like to interview them yourself. When planning the hospital stay, your adoption caseworker can help organize your stay from finances to visitors. You can choose who you feel comfortable having in the delivery room and what amount of contact you want with the baby before he or she goes home with the adoptive family. We will guide you through the specifics regarding any involvement you wish to have following the adoption to make sure that you are confident and have peace of mind about your decision.
I Just Gave Birth
You’re sitting in the hospital, thinking that raising a child isn’t something you’re prepared to do. Even though you’ve already given birth adoption is still an option. Cradle of Hope is still available to birth mothers after delivery and can provide the same level of individual attention to new birth mothers. We can cater to whatever your needs may be and will develop an adoption plan even at the last minute. If you’d like to speak with an adoption caseworker in person, we can send one to meet with you anywhere, including your hospital room. They can help you review potential adoptive parents and options for your involvement in the baby’s life. Your baby could go directly to their new family from the hospital. We are there to support you and ensure that you remain in control of each aspect of the adoption process.
Beyond the Adoption Process
Our services don’t end once the adoption is complete. If need be, you are more than welcome to make an appointment with an adoption counselor for post placement support. Many birth mothers can find comfort and sort through their concerns alongside others who have taken the same path. Support groups are available at any stage of the adoption process, before or after the birth. It’s always helpful to have the opportunity to voice concerns or ask questions of a community intimately familiar with the struggles and choices you have made.
Our goal is to support you as you make two important decisions: 1) what is best for you and 2) what is best for your baby. Making these difficult decisions can take time, and while it is important to plan these aspects of your adoption plan as early as possible, you should not worry about missing deadlines or taking too long to decide. You have options available to establish an adoption plan even at the last minute. Cradle of Hope is available whenever you’re ready to explore the adoption process.
As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Cradle of Hope. You can call us at 301-587-4400, text us at 301-905-9999, or email us at cradle@cradlehope.org. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!