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birth mother adoption first steps

Placing a Child for Adoption? What are the First Steps?

No matter how old or young you are, where you live, whether you are married or single, pregnant or given birth, planning to parent or are thinking about adoption, we can help you!

Remember, it is your baby and you have all the choices, so take your time! We put you and your baby's needs first and help you in every way possible.

Since our founding in 1985, our not-for-profit adoption agency has helped over 6000 birth parents and families from all 50 states. We have a five-star rating on Google and you can always visit our testimonial pages (see the link on the right).

You can contact us 365 days a year. Just call toll free,1(800)943-0400, and we will listen with compassion and do all that is needed. All calls are confidential and there is never any obligation or cost to you for our help.

Starting an adoption can be easier than you thought.  There are Ways we can help you and you have several Adoption choices.

We will make sure:
*Your child is safe, protected, loved, and placed with just the right family.
*Your options and rights are fully protected.
*You move ahead at your own pace and in a way you are most comfortable.
*You receive all the legal and financial assistance and medical help the law allows.

Whether it is our agency or some other program, a licensed child adoption agency can help you and protect you and your child.

While you are deciding what to do, make sure to take good care of yourself and your baby. Contact a health care provider and start prenatal care as soon as possible. If you need help finding a health care person or getting an appointment for prenatal care,let us know and we will help you find one. Keep your doctor and clinic appointments. Try to avoid drugs and alcohol, and smoking. Check with your doctor about continuing to take prescription medication.

I advise you not to answer newspaper or internet ads or deal directly with the adopting family, the adopting family's attorney, or a child adoption facilitator. These are all called private adoptions and can be so risky that many states have outlawed private adoptions.

What if I am just thinking about Adoption?

The following information is based on the Child Welfare Information Gateway article, Are You Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption?

Who Can I Talk to About My Options?

If you want to talk to a professional about your child adoption options, there are different places you can go. Counseling at the places listed below will be free or cost very little.

Have I explored all possibilities?

Pregnancy affect you not only physically but also emotionally. Have you called Social Services to see what they can do, or asked friends and family if they can help? If you have done these things and still want adoption, you will feel more content with your decision.

Will the adoptive parents take good care of my child?

In most cases an adoptive family has been carefully screened. By the time an agency has approved adoptive parents for placement, they have gotten to know them very well, and feel confident they would make good parents. In many cases you can select or help to select the family.

What are the different types of child adoption?

There are two types of child adoption: closed and open adoption.
Closed (Confidential) Adoption: The birth parents and the adoptive parents never know each others identifying info.
Open Adoption: The birth parents and the adoptive parents know something about each other. There are different levels of openness. Talk to your adoption agency counselor about the type of child adoption that is best for you.

How do I arrange a child adoption through a child adoption agency?

In all States, you can work with a licensed child placing (adoption) agency and in many states you can also work directly with an adopting couple or their attorney without using a child adoption agency. In some states this, due to the risks involved, this type of adoption, a private adoption, has been outlawed. In every state licensed child adoption agencies can arrange adoptions. There are several types of child adoption agencies. Some are for profit and some are non-profit. When you contact a child adoption agency, ask the staff as many questions as you need to ask so that you understand the child adoption agency's policies.

How do I arrange for future contact with my child if I want it?

If you decide on a confidential (closed) child adoption, you may still wish to make sure that you can get pictures and updates and that your child can contact you in the future. Make sure to discuss these with your adoption agency. If the agency or attorney that you are working with will not agree to do this, work with somebody else.

Many people who are adopted as children later want to meet their birth parents. Many states, and some private national organizations, have set up child adoption registries to help people find one another.

What to do if You need Help?

Adoption Services is a fully licensed non-profit adoption agency that helps birth mothers living in any state in the U.S. The Agency can also help a U.S. citizen living in any foreign country. Adoption Services has helped over 6000 birth parents and families. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you want our guidance or help.