Can I Decide on Adoption After I Give Birth?

Yes. You can choose adoption after your baby is born. You can also make an adoption plan at the last minute, even while you are in labor or still in the hospital. Here are answers to the questions people ask most about last-minute adoption and how it works.

Need to talk now? Call or text 1-800-367-2367 any time. It is free and confidential, and it does not commit you to anything.

I’m in labor. Can I make an adoption plan now?

Yes. If you are in labor and feel you cannot care for your baby, you still have options. You can call us and we can walk you through how a last-minute adoption plan works. We can send you links to profiles of waiting families so you can look through them and decide who feels right to you. If you choose adoption and want them there, many adoptive parents will come to the hospital as quickly as they can.

I already had my baby. Can I make an adoption plan now?

Yes. Whether you are still in the hospital or already home, you can still make an adoption plan. Many waiting families are open to a placement that happens right away.

If your baby is a little older, you can still contact Adoption Network. Some waiting families are open to adopting an older baby or young child, generally up to about two years old. You can learn about those families, and both you and your child can have the chance to meet them so the transition is as gentle as possible.

What if I choose foster care for my child?

A foster care placement can be planned before birth, but unless the Children’s Services department has determined it would be unsafe for the baby to go home with you, the final decision to place a baby in foster care is made after the baby is born. The baby is placed in a home approved to provide foster care, and long-range planning begins, either toward reunification with you or toward identifying an adoptive home. Some Children’s Services departments are required to check with extended family members, sometimes called “concerned relatives,” before placing a baby in a foster home outside the family.

Whether placing your baby in foster care was your decision or not, the Children’s Services department should give you information about your parental rights, visitation, and what is required for reunification so you can bring your child home.

What is Safe Haven?

Every state has a safe haven law that allows you to leave your infant at a designated safe haven location, such as a hospital or fire station, without giving your name or signing papers. Rules vary by state on the age of the infant and how long you have to return and ask for custody. The baby is cared for by the local Children’s Services department. If you do not return within the time your state allows, the court will terminate your parental rights and find a permanent adoptive home for your baby.

How is private adoption different from foster care?

Choosing adoption is a decision, and with private adoption it is your decision, not someone else’s. You can look at waiting families and choose the one you want to raise your child. You can decide how much contact you want after placement. Those choices may not be available to you if your child enters foster care and the adoptive family is selected by the state.

What about the baby’s father? Does he need to know?

It depends on your state. In some states the father must be notified, and in some cases his consent is required before an adoption can be finalized. In others, his rights depend on whether he has established paternity or registered with the state. A licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies to your situation. Read more about birth father rights in adoption.

What if my family doesn’t support my decision?

Having people around you helps, but this is your decision. Your adoption advisor can help you think it through and, if you want, can talk with your family about your choice.

Can I get help with the hospital bills?

In many states, adoptive parents are allowed to help with pregnancy-related and medical expenses, within limits set by state law. Your adoption advisor can also work with you and the hospital to see whether you qualify for Medicaid or other coverage. Not sure adoption is the right choice yet? Read about all of your options, including parenting.

What now?

Call or text 1-800-367-2367 to talk with someone who understands last-minute adoption and your other options. We can answer the questions specific to your situation and help you figure out what is best for you and your baby, whether that is adoption or something else. You can also request a free information packet.

Download the full Pregnancy & Adoption Planning Guide.

Adoption Network is a network of licensed adoption attorneys and licensed adoption agencies throughout the United States, in compliance with the adoption-related laws of each state in which an adoption is finalized.