9 Questions to Ask If You’re Thinking About Adoption Options for Your Child

Every child deserves a loving and caring family; however, not all kids are fortunate enough to grow under the support of a forever family. According to a study, there are about 500,000 children in U.S. foster care.

Many women who experience an unwanted pregnancy feel pressured to have an abortion. Several hundreds of thousands of unplanned pregnancies are terminated in the country every year.

Couples who experience an unintended pregnancy can consider placing their child for adoption rather than terminating the pregnancy. There are many childless couples in the country who would go the extra mile to give a child the loving, caring home they deserve.

If you have an unplanned pregnancy, talk to an adoption consultant near you about how to navigate your local adoption system. Placing a child for adoption is a big decision. You need to be 100 percent sure that it is the best decision for your child and family. Before you make your decision, look for answers to these questions.

Do I Get to Choose the Family for My Child?

Yes. Adoption agencies maintain records of people who have shown interest in adopting a child. The profile of every couple is carefully studied and approved. As the biological parent of your child, you have the right to choose the right family for your child. You can also choose a friend or a couple recommended by someone.

Will I Be Able to Spend Time with My Child After the Birth and Adoption?

Yes. You can spend time with your newborn at the hospital as you want. Before placing your baby for adoption, decide the type  this is right for you and your baby. Depending on how many contacts a biological parent can have with their child, there are three types of adoptions – open adoption, less open adoption, and confidential adoption.

An open adoption agreement allows the biological parent to have regular contact with their child. A less open adoption, on the other hand, allows interacting with the child via letters and photos. If you do not want any contact with your child after they are adopted, choose a confidential adoption.

Does the Biological Father of an Adopted Child Have Any Rights? 

Both biological parents of a child have rights, however, if you disagree with your partner about adoption or no longer have a relationship with him, talk to your agency/a court to determine his rights.

How Much Will My Child Know About Me?

That depends on the type of adoption you select. If you want an open adoption that allows ongoing contact, your child will know about you directly. No matter what type of plan you develop, you will want to provide your child’s social and medical history.

How Soon After Birth Will My Baby Be Handed Over to the Adoptive Family?

In most cases, the timing of a newborn’s placement will depend on the biological mother’s preference, legal aspects, and the role of the biological father. While many women choose to have their children placed with the adoptive family immediately after their birth, others prefer taking care of the newborn for some time while they consider their decision to place the child.

Can My Child Establish Contact with Me If  They Want to Know About Me?

An adopted child may want to look for their biological parent(s) only if there hasn’t been any ongoing contact. The local laws will determine how and when your child can access information in the adoption file. For details, talk to your pregnancy counselor.

Do I Need an Attorney? If I Use an Adoption Agency, Will I Have to Pay Them to Assist?

Whether you need an attorney will depend on the complexity and nature of your case. Hiring an attorney is a must in many cases as the legal process of adoption is governed by a myriad of state and federal laws. The adoptive family, and not you, will bear all legal costs and expenses. If you use the services of an agency to work out the terms of the adoption agreement, you may not have to pay even a single penny as most agencies offer services at no cost.

Can I Get Help with My Medical and Living Expenses While Designing an Adoption Plan?  

In many cases, adoption agencies assist biological mothers with their medical bills and living expenses. For detailed information about whether your agency can help you in this regard, contact your pregnancy consultant.

Is There Anyway I Can Be Sure that My Child Will Be Cared For?

Before adopting a child, an adoptive family has to agree to abide by the standards set by the adoption agency and the state. Most agencies have a comprehensive screening process that families interested in adopting a child have to complete. Additionally, specialists regularly visit adoptive families to ensure the adopted child is being cared for.

Contact Us

Have questions about the adoption laws in California? Our team of trained professionals at Mendo Lake Women’s Clinic would be happy to help you find answers.

To talk to one of our experts, contact us.