How to Place Your Baby Up for Adoption

Adoption Advocates is a small nonprofit adoption agency providing personalized services to expectant parents considering adoption. We will provide information, resources, and support to help you make informed choices about your future, all without pressure or judgment. During our work together, we are committed to treating you with total honesty and respect, so that you feel empowered to do what you feel is best for you and your baby. We work with people of all faiths, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.

Reaching out to Adoption Advocates does not mean that you must place your baby up for adoption. You are only gathering information that will help you think about your options. We will never make you feel pressured. We want you to feel knowledgeable and comfortable as you go through your decision-making process.

To learn more, call us today at (512) 477-1122 to connect with one of our adoption specialists. You can also text us at (512) 270-8415.

Your adoption specialist is your support person—friendly, caring, and judgment-free. You’ll have a dedicated specialist to listen and fully understand your situation. Together, you’ll explore your specific needs so you can consider your options more clearly. Like many expectant parents, you may find a sense of peace after meeting with your adoption specialist for the very first time. And that’s only the beginning. You’ll continue meeting with your adoption specialist and benefiting from her support throughout the entire adoption process.

Together, you’ll work to prepare your adoption plan–which includes choosing an adoptive family. If you’re still not sure about adoption, you can also work together with your adoption specialist to develop a parenting plan, so you can explore both adoption and parenting and choose the path that’s best for you. It’s beneficial to look at every potential option available to you and to explore why those won’t work for you before moving on to adoption. Along the way, she can help you complete any adoption-related paperwork and help you begin prenatal care and (if needed) apply for Medicaid. You’ll also discuss what financial needs you might have for housing, food, and other necessities that the agency may be able to help you with.

Adoption Advocates has offices in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and El Paso that provide a safe, confidential space to meet. If you aren’t in one of these major Texas cities, no problem! Our adoption specialists work with expectant parents all over Texas. We’re happy to come to you or schedule a virtual meeting.

Choosing a family can be an exciting time! After reviewing profiles of approved adoptive families, you’ll be able to speak with them on the phone or in person before you decide which family you feel is best for your baby. Once you choose a family, you’ll start building a relationship with them – if that’s what you want. This can take whatever form seems right to you, from texting to talking on the phone to getting together for dinner. Or you may prefer not to pursue a relationship at all. It’s up to you.

Want to check out some of our families hoping to adopt?  View online profiles of waiting families now.

Your adoption specialist will help you create a hospital plan based on the type of experience you’d like to have when you deliver. You will decide if you want the adopting family at the hospital, how much time you want to spend with the baby during your stay, and who will support you during your labor and delivery. These are your choices, and Adoption Advocates will support whatever you think is best. Your adoption specialist will put your plan in writing, and she will make sure that your wishes are followed during your labor, delivery, and hospital stay.

Learn more about what to expect at the hospital

If you don’t have a lot of support right now or are trying to keep your situation more private, your adoption specialist can be your support person during your labor and delivery. We can be involved as little or as much as you’d like during the birth. After delivery, your adoption specialist will meet with you to process your feelings and provide support. She can also bring you some food “from the outside.”  She will also discuss your plans to move forward with your adoption plan or parenting.

If you do choose to move forward with placing your baby for adoption, you will sign a document called a “relinquishment of parental rights”. This document can only be signed 48 hours (or later) after the baby’s birth, as required by Texas law. Usually, it is signed before you are discharged from the hospital. If you are discharged prior to 48 hours after the birth, we can meet you somewhere to complete this step. After you sign your relinquishment, the adopting family signs paperwork accepting the child into their care.

Your adoption specialist will continue to provide support to help you process your feelings. While this step is optional, we encourage you to keep meeting with us for additional support as you transition to the next stage in your life.

Adoption Advocates is committed to providing lifelong support to our birth parents. Adoption counseling is available for as long as you need, and you can return for additional counseling at any time. We’re also here to help both you and the adoptive family as you navigate your post-adoption contact and relationship.