Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri is here to help answer some of your toughest adoption questions!
What are my unplanned pregnancy options? When you learn of an unplanned pregnancy, you may feel a complex mix of emotions such as shock, uncertainty, and even fear are common responses. You might have thoughts like, “I don’t want to be pregnant,” or even, “I don’t want my baby.” These are all natural reactions to an unexpected pregnancy, and there is help available to you. Ultimately, your options include: adoption, terminating the pregnancy, or parenting. If you are pregnant and don’t want to be, or if you simply feel that you are not ready to be a parent, Adoption Choices has the resources and professionals who can help you understand your unplanned pregnancy options.
Is it too late to give up my child for adoption? It is never too late. There is no “deadline” to place your baby for adoption. It is never too early or too late to do what you think is best for yourself and your child, and there is no right or wrong time to start considering your options. Whether you have just learned of your pregnancy or are days away from delivering, or have been parenting for awhile, adoption is always an option for you.
How long do I have to decide or to change my mind? As your adoption professional, our goal is to ensure you that you are fully comfortable with your adoption decision before it is time to sign the adoption paperwork. However, you legally have the right to change your mind at any point during the adoption process.
Who selects the family to adopt my baby? You are in control of your adoption plan and that includes choosing the perfect adoptive parents for your baby. Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri works with a wide variety of individuals and couples looking to adopt. You can rest easy knowing that we can help you connect with the perfect family for your baby!
Will I be allowed to contact my child after the adoption? You do have the option of maintaining contact with your child after the adoption. In fact, these types of post-adoption relationships are becoming increasingly common. Prior to the 1980s, most adoptions were closed, meaning the birth parents and adoptive family exchanged no identifying information and very little, if any, contact during and after the adoption process. Closed adoption was the norm rather than a choice. As a result, many birth mothers, adoptive parents and children were left with unanswered questions about their adoption story. Today, expectant mothers have the power to choose the type of adoption they want to have: open, semi-open, or closed.
Can I ever get my child back after adoption? Assuming that you went through a legal adoption, the answer is no, you can’t get your child back once he or she is adopted by someone else. After the baby is born and you sign adoption papers, you are terminating your parental rights. According to the law, the adoptive parents are now legally the child’s parents.
Can I remain anonymous and protect my identity from disclosure? Adoption is a personal decision. Only you can decide who to tell or not tell about your adoption plan. If you feel strongly that you want to keep your pregnancy and adoption a secret, you may choose to remain anonymous before, during, and after the adoption. However, you should also know that adoption is a brave and selfless act, and there is no shame about choosing adoption for your baby. While it may seem necessary to hide your pregnancy and adoption from certain friends or family members, keep some important considerations in mind before deciding to remain anonymous.
What are the rights and responsibilities of the child’s birth father? For a variety of reasons, many expectant mothers ask, “Can you put a baby up for adoption without the father’s consent?” Whether you are curious about adoption without consent because your baby’s father is unknown, unsupportive, or otherwise uninvolved in your life, Adoption Choices can likely help you proceed with your adoption plans.
What kind of paperwork do I have to sign to make an adoption plan? As an expectant mother considering adoption, it is important that you understand the legal adoption process and the rights you have when making an adoption plan for your baby. The paperwork you sign will depend on what type of adoption plan you choose to make. What’s important to note is that nothing you sign prior to the child’s birth can legally obligate you to place your child for adoption.
Do I have to go to court to finalize the adoption? In most cases, no you will not need to go to court to finalize the adoption. The consents to the adoption are not taken in front of a judge unless (1) a child falls under the Indian child welfare act or (2) the birth mother’s mental capacity is questioned.
For more Frequently Asked Questions and Answers visit our website and blog or you can contact one of our adoption specialists right away!
