Adoption Agencies, Information, and Resources in Des Moines

View Waiting Families

Our use of the terms “putting up” or “giving up” does not reflect how we feel about adoptive placement. These terms remain the most widely used search terms for those who are considering adoption for their baby, and we wish to reach all who seek this important information.

Helpful Resources When Considering Adoption in Des Moines, Iowa

This page provides information to those who are considering adoption and live in or near to Des Moines, Iowa or in the Polk County region. If you are thinking about giving your baby up for adoption, we have gathered information about Pregnancy Resource Centers/Crisis Pregnancy Centers to assist you to confirm your pregnancy, clinics where you may get prenatal care, and a list of hospitals with birthing centers.
For those in the Polk County region of Iowa who wish to adopt a baby, further below on this page you will find home study agency resources and helpful information to assist you with the adoption process.
Additional resources for expectant mothers and prospective adoptive parents throughout Iowa may be found on our Iowa State Page.

Pregnancy Resource Centers in Des Moines

Pregnancy Resource Centers, also sometimes called “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” are often not-for-profit clinics where you can go to get help confirming if you are pregnant, and if you would like to, they will discuss “pregnancy options”. Most of these centers are staffed by volunteers who are not necessarily trained medical personnel, so can’t prescribe contraceptives. Because many Pregnancy Resource Centers are associated with pro-life organizations, they will encourage parenting or adoption, however not all of them are faith based. Pregnancy Resource Centers serving those in the Polk County region of Iowa that are in or near Des Moines are:

Agape Pregnancy Resource Center
Alpha Women’s Center
Birthright of Des Moines
Planned Parenthood Rosenfield Health Center
Susan Knapp Health Center of Des Moines

Affordable Prenatal Care in Des Moines, Iowa

Medical clinics have medical personnel on staff so can address most aspects of prenatal care and family planning. They do STD and cancer screenings (pap smears, and sometimes mammograms), and can prescribe and even dispense contraceptives. Clinics located in or near to Des Moines, Iowa that provide affordable prenatal care for those in Polk County are:

Primary Health Care East Side Medical Campus
Primary Health Care University Walk-In Clinic
Primary Health Care Family Medicine at Mercy

In addition, information about prenatal care through Medicaid that is available in Iowa to women with limited financial resources may be found at Iowa Medicaid.

Hospitals in Des Moines, Iowa

Prospective adoptive parents and expectant mothers may wish to communicate with medical professionals about hospital plans during the time of baby’s birth, or have other inquiries. The hospitals with birthing centers serving the Des Moines, Iowa region are:

Broadlawns Medical Center
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center
Methodist West Medical Center

Completing the Home Study in Des Moines

The home study is one of the most important parts of every adoption process. The purpose of a home study is to assess the suitability and capability of prospective Adoptive Parents to receive a child into their home. There are certain Adoption Home Study Requirements for each state. The process generally includes collection of information with questions about family history, health and financial information, and personal background. Here are some legally qualified home study providers licensed to conduct home studies for those who live in Des Moines, Iowa or the Polk County region:

Adoption Associates of Iowa
Bethany for Children & Families

Become a Foster Parent in Des Moines, Iowa

If you would like to become a resource family for a foster child in or near Des Moines, or the Polk County region of Iowa you must meet similar requirements to that of the home study required for adoptive parents.

In addition to the Iowa Department of Human Services, the local agencies listed below provide additional information and services for foster parents in Des Moines, Iowa, and the greater Polk County region:

Four Oaks Foster and Adoptive Family Connections
Lutheran Services in Iowa

Court Information

To complete the adoption process through court action, once all legal requirements are satisfied, a finalization hearing may be scheduled. If you would like to learn about the adoption laws in Iowa, check out our Adoption Laws by State page.  For additional information about finalizing an adoption for those in Polk County, Iowa, please contact the Iowa Court’s Judicial District 5.

Available 24/7 to Answer Your Adoption Questions

We're here to help.

Get your Free Adoption Packet

Or call us at
1-800-FOR-ADOPT(367-2367)