In every State, a pregnant mother can work with a licensed child placing adoption agency. In most States, a mother can also work directly with an adopting couple or their attorney without using an agency. Adoption agencies arrange most newborn adoptions. There are many different types of adoption agencies. There are some agencies that are for profit and some are nonprofit.
When a pregnant mother contacts an adoption agency, she should be able to speak with a social worker and ask questions so she understands the rules and knows what to expect. If you are prenant and making an adoption plan, some questions you will want to ask are:
- Will I get counseling during my pregnancy, after I have signed the papers relinquishing my rights, and after my baby is placed?
- Can my baby’s father, my parents, family, or friends join me in counseling if I want them to?
- What kind of financial assistance can I recieve, while I am pregnant?
- How are the medical and legal expenses paid for?
- Will I have help with the medical and legal paperwork?
- Do I get to help choose the adoptive parents for my baby? If so, how does the agency help me with this?
- How does the agency screen adoptive parents and how will I know they are good people?
- Will I meet the adoptive parents if I want, or know their names?
- Will I be able to have contact with the adoptive parents or my child in the future?
- Can I ask for pictures of my baby as he or she grows up?
- Can I find out how my child turns out?
- What will the adoptive parents know about me and my family?
An adoption agency social worker will ask you a lot of questions about your life and about the baby’s father. The social worker will want information such as medical histories, age, race, physical characteristics, and whether you have seen a doctor since you became pregnant.
You will also be asked if you have been pregnant or given birth before. If you smoke or have taken any drugs, or drank any alcohol since you became pregnant. The agency is not asking this so they can turn you down. The agency will asks these questions because it is important your baby be placed with adoptive parents who understand any possible genetic or prenatal health issues.
It is best the parents of your baby have as much information as possible so they will be fully able to care for and love the baby. There are many adoptive parents who understand some of the situations a pregnant woman may have faced and be willing and ready to love the baby no matter what the circumstances are.
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For more information about parenting special needs children you might want to visit the Families.com Special Needs Blog and the Mental Health Blog. Or visit my personal website.