How long does the adoption process take for an expectant mother?
Going into the adoption process, mothers-to-be often want to know how long the process will take. The most straightforward answer is that the process starts when you make the courageous decision to place a baby for adoption through our Texas adoption agency, and continues until a few days after your baby’s birth.
The decision to place a baby for adoption is difficult for some women and simple for others. It’s OK if it takes weeks or even months to determine the best path for you and your baby. If you make the decision early in your pregnancy, you begin the adoption process then, and it will be a longer time period. If you don’t decide until the end of your pregnancy, the process will be very brief.
The first step in the adoption process is choosing an agency
The first decision to be made is choosing an adoption agency to support you and provide resources throughout your pregnancy and adoption. These are the people who will walk beside you throughout the process.
When you choose adoption early in your pregnancy, you have more time to make detailed plans and choices related to the adoption. You, as the expectant mother, have control over the process and which adoption agency to work with.
Making a plan to place a baby for adoption
During the adoption process, you have the opportunity to make an adoption plan. This includes making decisions about what is important to you when you place a baby for adoption.
- What qualities and values you would like in an adoptive family
- If you want to have an open or closed adoption
- Whether you would like to get to know the adoptive family before the birth
- Your preferences for the birth and time in the hospital
Deciding to place your baby for adoption earlier in your pregnancy allows you more time to consider these decisions and ask questions of our Texas adoption agency. We want you to feel confident and comfortable with your decision, so that you find peace of mind in your adoption journey.
Choosing an adoptive family for your baby
Once you’ve made these decisions, you can begin choosing an adoptive family.
Whether you choose to interact with the family before or during the delivery, our adoption agency counselors will be with you throughout your delivery and hospital stay.
Two days after birth is when you sign adoption papers, and your baby will leave with the adoptive parents you chose. It’s normal for new mothers to feel a range of emotions at this time, from relief and joy to sadness and grief. Your agency counselor will be with you for support and understanding.
If you realize you are pregnant late in your pregnancy, or consider adoption toward the end of your pregnancy, it’s not too late to begin the process. In fact, you can make the decision in the hospital, or after you have already left the hospital. Resources are available for women who choose adoption after the baby is already born.
The adoption specialists at our Texas adoption agency are always available to discuss the adoption process with you. Contact Legacy Adoption Services for more information about the process and what you need to know before you decide to place a baby for adoption.
