How involved can I be with my baby, and will my child get a chance to contact me years from now? At the time of adoption, the birth parents can choose whether or not they would be open to being contacted one day by the child placed for adoption. The level of contact between you, the adoptive family, and your child is your and the adoptive parents’ decision. It is important for you to have a healthy conversation about this topic. You can search parent profiles and narrow the search based on the type of adoption you want. You might Register first so that you can save couples you like to your favorites list.
How do I know my baby will be safe with someone else? Adoption agencies set standards for adoptive parents, which gives assurance that the child placed in an adoptive home will be safe. You also have the option to choose a family by reading profiles, having phone conversations, and even meeting the couple face-to-face to learn more about them. Most birth mothers like to review and even interview adoptive prospects who they will choose to give to their baby.
What are my baby’s father’s rights in adoption? The birth father’s rights in adoption are the same as the birth mother’s unless determined otherwise by state laws and the court system.
Will my baby be confused if I choose open or semi-open adoption? Confusion depends more on the extent of communication that occurs between the child and the adoptive family. Actually, closed adoption seems to create the most confusion or frustration for adopted children because of the unknown.
How much can I find out about an adoptive family for my baby? Potential adoptive families provide profiles to look through with information on them, most of them have several pictures. Some couples even present their profile in the form of a scrapbook or you can search parent profiles here.
This information may consist of the size of their family, where they live, what they do for a living, as well as other things such as how long they’ve been married, how they met, what their pets’ names are, and what their health history is. They can even include what their religious views are, and will most likely include some photos of them and their lifestyle.
You may also request an opportunity to meet, visit, and interview prospective adoptive couples or families. This will give you an opportunity to learn almost whatever you want to know. Communication is good because it often places both you as the birth mom and the adoptive couple at greater peace and ease.
What will the adoptive parents of my baby have to know about me? The adoptive parents will want to know all they can about you. They will probably be interested in your medical history, your healthcare, your age, and your interests. You may provide any additional information you would like them to have. Healthy adoptions are full of communication and information that can be shared with the child as he or she grows and asks questions.
Will I be able to see my baby when it’s born? Yes, you may choose whether or not you would like to see your baby, and how long you want to be with him or her. Papers do not become effective and are sometimes not even signed until 24 to 48 hours after your child’s birth, depending on the state you give birth in. Find a family that is receptive to an open adoption.
Can I donate my baby’s cord blood? Yes, cord blood donation is free and easy and does not affect your adoption plan in any way. You might want to ask the adoptive parents if they want to store it just in case. More than likely, they won’t and probably don’t need to. This means that donating cord blood is at your discretion. It saves lives, so good on you for thinking about doing that.