Support & Resources for Birth Mothers

Choosing Adoption

Considering putting your baby up for adoption? We know what you’re going through. With decades of experience, we can help you find the answers.

Birth Mother Common Questions and Concerns

  “Adoption Network Law Center is the reason why my baby is going to have a strong future.”-Megan Adoptive Parent...

Can I decide after I give birth?

“This was one of the hardest and most unselfish decisions i ever had to make. But it was the best...

How far into pregnancy can I decide?

“They helped me find the perfect family for my son. That was almost 7 years to the day.  As a...

Can I change my mind about an adoption?

“Your agency is amazing, you got back to me right away! I would have never met my perfect match family.”...

Can I Keep My Adoption / Pregnancy a Secret?

“This was one of the hardest and most unselfish decisions I ever had to make. But it was the best...

Telling Others About Your Adoption Plan

Try to imagine what the response might be from each person when breaking the news of an unplanned pregnancy, especially...

Dealing with Unsupportive Parents & Family Members

“It just made me feel like I’m a better person and that I made a decision that I will never...

Will I get to visit with my child after placement?

One of the first questions an expectant mother planning to place her child for adoption may ask is if she...

Placing your Baby for Adoption While in Jail / Prison

“Going through a process where you’re not really sure what to expect to have someone there on your side to...

What happens after adoption?

“The entire team at ANLC made me feel welcome, safe, protected and loved. I did not, for even a moment...

How soon after birth do adoptive parents take the baby?

“My Adoption Advisor was so incredible, supporting, caring, and went above and beyond anything I would have expected.” – ANLC...

Adoption Children / Adoptees

Here, you can find resources that cover the impact that adoption has on you and others involved.

How Does it Feel to be Adopted?

Birth Parents make an adoption plan to provide a better life for a child. It is the most selfless act...

Explaining Adoption to Your Other Children

For children, change can cause a lot of confusion and encourages many questions. While things can get a little complicated,...

Birth Fathers

When it comes to birth fathers, there are a number of scenarios that Birth Mothers may be dealing with when it comes to the birth father, and

Birth Father Rights in Adoption

However, it is important to know that the Birth Father also has a role, whether or not he is an...

Unsupportive, Uninterested, or Unknown Birth Fathers

While a loss felt from this lack of commitment cannot be directly compared to other kinds of loss, it is...

Do I Have To Tell Him About The Adoption?

You may even be wondering, “How do I tell him I’m pregnant?” There are a lot of reasons why you...

What Are My Responsibilities As The Birth Father?

As a birth father, you may be wondering what your responsibilities and rights are when it comes to placing your...

How Do I tell the Father I’m Pregnant?

How did this happen? When did this happen? What does this mean for my future? How do I tell the...

I’m a Birth Father: What does that Mean?

As a birth father you’re just like every other biological father, only the term ‘birth father’ is used to refer...

Benefits of Adoption

Adoption is truly an experience like no other, and its advantages should be taken into account as the Birth Mother makes her decision.

Adoption Is Always An Option

However, the earlier in your pregnancy you begin to consider your options (parenting, temporary care or adoption), if you choose...

You Make The Decisions In Your Adoption

Unfortunately, this idea is not always pursued, as sometimes Birth Mothers feel less in control and more like a piece...

Giving a Baby Up For Adoption Is Not Giving Up

“The entire team at ANLC made me feel welcome, safe, protected and loved. I did not, for even a moment...

Adoption vs Abortion: Comparing Your Options

The thought of caring for a baby that has come as a surprise may be overwhelming, especially if you are...

How to Give My Baby up for Adoption

Download 7 Steps PDF Step 1.Choosing Adoption for Your Baby Choosing to place your baby for adoption is a difficult...

Financial & Emotional Support

Making the decision to create an adoption plan is one of the most difficult decisions a woman who is facing an unplanned pregnancy will have to make.

Adoption Professionals

Questions to Ask an Adoption Agency or Law Firm Whether you are a potential Adoptive Family looking to adopt a...

How to Create a Strong Support System

In fact, having a strong support system over the course of an adoption might be even more important than in...

Emotions To Expect When Choosing Adoption

While there are a variety of circumstances and experiences that shape this decision, they all share a common theme: they...

Emotional & Psychological Effects of Adoption on Birth Mother

As one of our efforts to honor and support birth mothers, Adoption Network Law Center developed its private Healing Hearts...

Coping with Postpartum Depression

However, in reality, you feel that you are neither of these things. You don’t feel like yourself and you are...

Adoption Process for Birth Mothers

Our use of the terms “putting up” or “giving up” does not reflect how we feel about adoptive placement.

Unplanned Pregnancy Options

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be scary, and not having a solid plan to parent your baby can be frustrating and lead to feelings of hopelessness.

Adoption

“Going through a process where you’re not really sure what to expect to have someone there on your side to...

Abortion

“The entire team at ANLC made me feel welcome, safe, protected and loved. I did not, for even a moment...

Types of Adoption

There are many adoption choices you will be asked to make during your pregnancy.

Open Adoption

How Open Adoption Works There is no formal and definite definition of the term open adoption but the adoption community...

Semi-Open Adoption

It is important for Adoptive Parents and Birth Parents to connect with their adoption agencies/professionals and be honest of what...

Pregnancy Health

While considering your options, it’s important to take care of yourself. Your body is experiencing some big changes.

Choosing Doctor

CHOOSING A DOCTOR Feeling comfortable about your healthcare provider will help you feel more at ease throughout your pregnancy and...

Staying Healthy During Your Pregnancy

Now, don’t worry about doing everything perfectly. Don’t panic if you give in to an occasional craving. There is a...

Pregnancy Lifestyle Changes

HEALTH CARE At the start of your pregnancy you will visit your healthcare provider about once a month. Your first...

Pregnancy Calendar & Helpful Tips

You can develop sensitive breasts, even before your period is due, which can be shown in a feeling of fullness,...

Teen Pregnancy Help

In the United States, teen pregnancy and birth rates for those between the ages of 15 to 19 remain among...

Preparing for Birth

As your due date approaches you will want to make decisions regarding the birth.

Preparing for the Hospital

WHAT TO BRING Prepare a bag to take with you while you labor so that you don’t have to go...

Planning for Labor and Delivery

Preparing for Childbirth, Labor & Delivery If you have decided to place your baby for adoption, your needs and preparation...

Your Hospital Stay

BREASTFEEDING After your baby is born, your body will produce milk. Women who intend to place their baby for adoption...

Recovery

PHYSICAL CHANGES Bleeding – Postpartum bleeding lasts up to 2 weeks. Soreness – Vaginal discomfort may be worse if you’ve...

Choosing a Family

Selecting an Adoptive Family for your baby is one of the most significant decisions you will make.

Our Adoptive Parents Screening Process

Your adoption agency or adoption professional can help you find Adoptive Parents that will provide a loving and nurturing home...

Considerations When Choosing Adoptive Parents

1) Type of Adoption You have the ability to find a family you want for your child; today you have...

Communicating With Adoptive Parents

CLOSED ADOPTION In a closed adoption, no contact takes place between the Birth Family and the Adoptive Family before or...

Honoring & Supporting Birth Mothers

Resources for honoring & supporting Birth Mothers.

Healing Hearts Support Group

Healing Hearts The process of creating an adoption plan and becoming a birthmother is an incredibly unique experience. For most,...

Birth Mothers’ Experiences

Cedia’s Story Cedia placed her child for adoption in 2010. Here’s her story. Ali C. My back story Ali C....

Blogs from Birth Mothers

I was 19 when I found out I was pregnant. I felt like my entire life was crashing down around me…

Donate to Birth Mothers

Recovery Centers by State

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration American Addiction Centers, Inc. Rehab Center Free Rehab Center 211 Resource Page

Women’s Shelters by State

National Domestic Violence Hotline Women’s Shelters Covenant House Lotus House Shelters

Counseling

Anne Belden Jennifer Bliss, PsyD, LCSW Ivy Davis Zolle Christina LaMonica Lindy Johnson

Holistic Healing

Holistic Healing is the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just symptoms....

Additional Communities

On Your Feet Foundation Life After Placement Birthmom Buds Bravelove Birth Mother Support Group – Anaheim CA – 3rd Wednesday...

Inspirational Adoption Quotes

Whether your children are yours through biology or adoption, they are yours through love.

It’s okay to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave. Patience is not the...