It might be hard to imagine that you could love your baby for nine months and then let him or her be raised by someone else. Many of our birth mothers chose adoption because they wanted to give their babies opportunities that they couldn’t provide themselves. If you decide that adoption is the best choice for your child, you will be able to do it. While there will be feelings of sadness and loss, there will also be feelings of joy, awe and pride in what you have done for your child.
Choosing adoption for your baby is not “giving up”. It is making a difficult and brave decision to do what you feel like is best for your child and your family. With open adoption, you will be in control of the process and be able to make decisions that will allow your child to have the future you want for him or her. It is not an easy choice but we will be with you every step of the way.
An open adoption means that you get to choose the adoptive parents, and you can maintain some degree of contact with them. In an open adoption, you will always be honored as the child’s birth parent, because that’s who you are. In almost all adoption plans, the adoptive parents provide pictures and letters and exchange phone calls with birth parents. Depending on the relationship that develops between you and your adoptive parents, sometimes there is visitation. The most important thing to remember is that an open adoption is what the participants jointly decide that it should be. Open adoption is an informal agreement based on trust and respect.
There is a loving adoptive family for every child. There may be factors about your pregnancy that might make for a more difficult placement, but don’t worry. Adoption Advocates has experience in dealing with all kinds of issues. There is a family for your baby.
Parents who adopt from Adoption Advocates are educated to respect the special bond between the child and the birth family. By knowing you and receiving information from you, they can raise the child that knows where they came from. Although open adoption agreements are not legally enforceable in Texas, chances are that you will choose a family who you like and trust, and they will be committed to honoring their agreement with you.
If a birth father is known and willing to participate in the adoption process, Adoption Advocates will work with him to complete a social and medical history form. This information helps provide a picture of potential health concerns a child may or may not have in the future.
Adoption Advocates can work directly with the biological father to get this information if you don’t want to be involved.
Adoption Advocates will first use available resources (i.e. personal health insurance) to cover medical bills. Beyond that, medical costs not covered by available resources will be covered by the agency.
Uninsured women in Texas may be eligible for Pregnancy Medicaid. This temporary insurance, based on income requirements, will cover pregnancy health care costs, including prenatal checkups and hospital delivery costs. If you are working with an adoption counselor, she can help you apply for Medicaid. You can also learn more about Texas Pregnancy Medicaid benefits and start the process online.
The adoptive family will be given de-identified (no last names or addresses) information about your social and medical history, unless of course, you have a fully open adoption and then you may share any information that you choose.
No one can make you sign the adoption papers, however if you still feel that adoption is the best decision for your child, you may sign no sooner than 48 hours after birth per Texas law.
Yes, the number of pictures and how often you receive them is up to you. At the very least, you may have pictures taken at the hospital, pictures and a letter every month for the first six months, and a picture every Christmas until the child is six years old. Again, this is the least. If you want more, all you have to do is tell us.
Adoption Advocates would try to contact the child (and adoptive parents if the child is under age 18) and obtain permission to put you in contact with the child.
Adoption Advocates works with prospective adoptive parents that meet the following qualifications:
- Unable to have biological children due to infertility or high-risk hereditary concerns
- Between the ages of 25-46
- Two-year minimum marriage requirement
- Must be emotionally and financially stable
- Flexible about such issues as ethnicity and health history
- Willing to commit to open adoption
Adoptive parents have been pre-screened through comprehensive process that includes background checks, interviews and a home study.
Adoption Advocates believes in building families of all types, and we work with adoptive families representing a range of ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations.
If you have chosen an adoptive family prior to delivery, the baby can be placed in his/her new home immediately following your completion of the relinquishment document. You must wait at least 48 hours after delivery to sign the relinquishment document.
It’s OK not to be sure about adoption right away. This is a really important decision! Take as much time as you need. Your adoption specialist will discuss all of your options with you — without pressure or judgment. Our goal is to provide support and answers, so that you can make an informed decision.
After speaking to an adoption specialist, you may decide that adoption is not right for you. That’s OK too. If you decide to parent, Adoption Advocates can direct you to resources to provide assistance during your pregnancy and your child’s early years.
Yes, you can move forward with an adoption plan. Although things will move faster, you will still have the same rights and ability to make choices that an expectant mother does. An adoption specialist will visit you to answer your questions, help you complete paperwork, share waiting family profiles and discuss a post-placement plan. You will receive counseling and support after relinquishment as well, for as long as you choose.
Here’s a look at what to expect with the adoption process if your baby has already been born:
GET IN TOUCH: Reach out to us by calling (512) 477-1122 or texting (512) 270-8415. If you’re still in the hospital, you can ask the hospital’s social worker to help you get in touch with us. We already work with many hospital social workers throughout Texas.
MEET WITH A SPECIALIST: An experienced adoption specialist will visit you as soon as possible, usually within a few hours. She will explain your options, the different types of adoption and what comes next. After learning more about adoption, you’ll decide if you want to move forward with placing your baby for adoption.
MAKE CHOICES: If you’re ready, you’ll begin making choices for you and your baby’s future. You’ll need to decide if you want an open, semi-open or closed adoption. You can start looking at adoptive family profile books and choose one. If you do not want to choose the family, the agency can select for you. Remember, you are still in control of all of your choices.
SIGN PAPERWORK: If you’re sure about adoption and it’s been at least 48 hours since the baby was born, you’ll sign the relinquishment papers. Your chosen adoptive family will be able to take the baby home as soon as the hospital discharges him or her.
The adoption process moves quickly after a baby is born, and 48 hours may not be enough time for you to make a decision. Signing the relinquishment papers is permanent, so you need to be certain this is the right step for you. If you need more time, we can arrange for short-term interim care (also known as cradle care) after your baby is released from the hospital. You’ll be able to continue exploring your options and spend time with your baby before you make a final decision. Even though your relationship with Adoption Advocates began after your baby was born, we hope it doesn’t end there. Many women experience difficult emotions, including grief and sadness, after placement. We’re here to help you through those emotions with adoption counseling for as long as you need, at no cost to you.
No. Adoption Advocates offers all services for expectant parents, including counseling and legal services, free of cost.
As a licensed adoption agency in Texas, we may be able to provide financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses while you make an adoption plan. Your adoption specialist can discuss your situation with you to see how much assistance you may be eligible for.
Have a Question We Didn’t Answer?
We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have about placing a baby for adoption in Texas. Submit your question and we will provide an answer by email, phone or text as soon as possible.
All questions and information you submit to us are 100% confidential.
Need an answer right away? Connect directly with an adoption specialist. Call (512) 477-1122 or text (512) 270-8415 to speak to one of our friendly, caring professionals now.
