What if I Reconsider Giving my Baby Up?
Are you thinking of giving a child up for adoption? If so, there are probably a million things running through your mind and you may be experiencing overwhelming emotions. Please know that you are not alone in this journey. Considering adoption for your baby or child entails a lot of planning and preparation. With the right adoption resources and support, you can work towards creating the right adoption plan for you and your baby. One of your more concerning questions may be, “What if I Change My Mind about Placing My Baby During My Pregnancy?”
Well, the short answer is that you can change your mind anytime during your pregnancy should you decide to parent your child after birth. Once the baby is born, however, birth parents and adoptive parents usually have a limited window of time where they can change their minds after the adoption. The exact amount of time varies from state-to-state but usually is between 3-10 days. You should tell your adoption agency or professional as soon as you make this decision. If you are having a hard time with your decision, we recommend talking to your adoption agency’s adoption specialist about speaking with a counselor.
If you need help with adoption now, you can call or text us at 316-209-2071, or contact us here.
Here are some additional options at your disposal:
Parenting
Would you choose to parent If you had the resources to do so? There is no reason to be embarrassed about needing help. If the baby’s father and your family can’t assist, you may be eligible for housing, medical care and monthly payments to help parent your child, as well as employment training.
Temporary Care
Do you need more time to think things through? This is a major decision and if you need more time to decide there are several options open to you. Your baby can be placed in foster care or with a family member through foster care, which may provide a monthly payment to the family for the baby’s expenses. You can also make a private arrangement with a family member, friend or responsible adult. Any of these arrangements give you time after the birth to decide if you want and are able to parent.
Adoption
If you are unable to raise your baby and want to choose a home for your baby, there are many things you have to consider. Here are just a few examples of things you should keep in mind:
- How involved do you want to be in choosing the adoptive family?
- What kind of contact you want with the adopting parent(s) during the pregnancy?
- What kind of contact you want with the adopting family after you place the baby with them?
You also need to understand your local adoption laws and rights, as well as the rights of the Birth Father. An adoption specialist can explain and explore all of these issues with you. Or, you can speak to a counselor at a local community counseling center. If you feel pressured in any way, by any counselor, attorney or agency personnel, find another professional to help you.
Adoption Choices of Kansas will always be here to help
By taking the time to consider all of your options and understanding what is involved in making an adoption plan, you are acting responsibly and know what to expect. You can then proceed with finding a family for your baby.
At any time during your pregnancy or after birth, prior to signing the relinquishment, you can stop the adoption process. As a result, you should not be afraid to reach out to us! Once you sign, state regulations determine under what circumstances you can rescind your relinquishment. Therefore, it is critical you understand your rights prior to entering into any adoption relationship and certainly before signing any papers.
Adoption is a gift you can give to a waiting family, but it needs to be the right decision for you. It can be an emotional roller coaster for you and the adoptive parent(s), but Adoption Choices of Kansas is here to help you get through that roller coaster. The more you know of the process, and your responsibility and rights, the better prepared you will be at each stage of the process!
