How to Give Baby Up for Adoption in Pennsylvania [Guide and FAQ]
Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming, but adoption offers a path that can benefit both you and your baby.
By choosing adoption, you have the opportunity to give your child a loving home with parents who are ready and eager to raise them. This decision also allows you to focus on your future, knowing that your baby will be cared for and loved.
In this article, we’ll explain how to give a baby up for adoption, address four common questions pregnant women have about the process and provide a list of adoption agencies in Pennsylvania.
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact an adoption agency today for more information about placing your baby for adoption.
How to Give Baby Up for Adoption in Pennsylvania
If you’re thinking about putting your baby up for adoption, you might not be sure where to start. Here’s how the process works:
Step 1: Consider Whether Adoption Is the Best Option
The first step is to reflect on whether adoption is the right choice for you and your baby. Take time to explore your feelings, consider your circumstances and weigh the pros and cons. A counselor or adoption professional can also help you understand your options.
Step 2: Work With an Agency to Create an Adoption Plan
If you decide to give your baby up for adoption, you’ll need to connect with a licensed adoption agency. They will guide you through the process and help you create a personalized adoption plan. This plan will outline your adoption preferences, including:
- Preferences for the type of adoptive family you’re looking for
- Your delivery and hospital stay
- The level of contact you want with your baby and their adoptive family
Learn more about how your adoption plan gives you control over your adoption journey.
Step 3: Pick Out Your Baby’s Adoptive Family
Choosing the right family for your baby is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your adoption agency will provide you with profiles of prospective adoptive families. You can review these profiles and select a family that aligns with your values and the life you envision for your child.
Step 4: If You Want, Get to Know the Adoptive Family
If you choose an open or semi-open adoption, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the adoptive parents and build a relationship with them before your baby is born. Getting to know your baby’s adoptive family can provide you with peace of mind.
Step 5: Give Birth and Grant Your Consent to the Adoption
When the time comes, you’ll give birth to your baby in your chosen hospital. You can legally consent to the adoption after your baby is born. Your agency will support you throughout this process, ensuring that you understand your rights and feel comfortable with your decision.
Where to Put a Baby Up for Adoption in Pennsylvania
If you’re ready to start the process and give your baby up for adoption, there are many agencies in Pennsylvania that can help. These agencies will guide you through every step and ensure that your baby is placed with a loving family.
As you look for an adoption agency, keep in mind that the best ones provide the following services:
- 24/7 support: This means you can reach out for help or guidance at any time, whenever you need it most.
- Financial assistance: They will ensure the adoptive family you choose covers your medical costs as well as other court-approved relief.
- Help creating an adoption plan: You can create a personalized adoption plan that reflects your wishes for your child’s future.
- Only work with open adoption families: This ensures you can keep in touch with your baby and their adoptive family after the adoption is finalized.
Adoption Agencies in Pennsylvania
- American Adoptions
- Haven Adoptions, Inc.
- Adoptions From The Heart
- Open Arms Adoption Network
- Adoption Connection, PA
- Adoption Services, Inc.
- A Baby Step Adoption
4 Frequently Asked Adoption Questions
If you’re considering giving your baby up for adoption, you probably have many questions. Here are answers to some of the most common ones:
1. Can I Give My Baby Up for Adoption?
Yes, you can place your baby for adoption regardless of your age, citizenship status, health or other circumstances. Adoption is designed to provide you with options if can’t raise a child or if you don’t want to become a parent.
2. Does Giving a Baby Up for Adoption Cost Money?
No, putting a newborn up for adoption doesn’t cost money. There are no financial barriers that would prevent you from making the best decision for you and your baby. Rather, you could get financial assistance for medical and living expenses.
3. Should I Give My Baby Up for Adoption?
This is a deeply personal decision that only you can make. Some women choose adoption because they want to provide their baby with a stable home, while others may feel that they’re not ready to be parents. No matter your reasons, the right adoption agency will support you without judgment.
4. How Hard Is Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption?
Adoption is a difficult and selfless decision. You can love your child and still feel that adoption is the best way to give them a bright future. As one birth mother shared, “You’re not giving your babies up. You’re giving them the opportunity to live the best life that they can, and the life you know that you can’t give them.” Choosing adoption is a courageous and loving choice. With the right support, you can find a path that feels right for you and your baby.