Choosing Adoption After Your Baby Is Born 

Life is unpredictable, which you already know if you’re reading this post. Although you may have had a set plan, things change. Whether you were unaware of your pregnancy or you’ve decided you no longer desire the responsibility of raising a child, adoption is common. The choice to place your baby for adoption is painful and long, but it’s incredibly fulfilling.

Choosing adoption after your baby is born isn’t the most common approach, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Every adoption process is unique, and Adoption Choices of Arizona is here to help guide you.

3 Reasons to choose adoption after birth

The reason for choosing adoption after the baby is born differs from birth mother to birth mother. Remember that your reason for placing your baby for adoption after birth is valid. Here are a few reasons why birth mothers choose adoption after birth, and helpful tips on how to deal with the emotional roller coaster that comes with it: 

• My situation has changed. Life doesn’t always go according to plan and one hiccup can cause a big disruption in a birth mother’s pregnancy plan. This may include unexpectedly losing your job or housing, and, therefore, not having the means to take care of your baby. Maybe the birth father changed his mind about contributing to child care, and you can’t raise your child by yourself. Perhaps you started to suffer from severe postpartum depression and couldn’t connect with your baby. All of these and more are perfectly valid reasons to place your child for adoption. 
• I went back and forth between choices. The decision to place your baby for adoption is very difficult. It can be hard for a birth mother to decide what she wants to do for her child. Many women have a set belief on what they’d do if they got pregnant — adoption, abortion, keep the baby — but that often changes when those women actually become pregnant. A birth mother might have plans to raise her child, but the more time she thinks about it, she realizes she’s not in the position to care for a baby.

• I didn’t know I was pregnant. Although this may sound absurd, there have been an abundance of cases in which the birth mother had no idea that she was pregnant. She may have found out when she went into labor, or a few days before. This means that the birth mother had no chance to prepare for the arrival of her child. She had no plans in place, and might not be in the position to care for her child. Due to her unexpected pregnancy, the birth mother may choose post-birth adoption.

Placing your child for adoption is one of the most selfless acts a birth mother can do. It’s an emotional journey. Now that the baby has proper care, it’s important for the birth mother to be cared for as well. Counseling is heavily encouraged for all birth mothers, during their pregnancy and after giving birth. It’s important for birth mothers to have support. You love your child so much that you recognized there is someone out there who can better take care of your baby. You are strong and brave!

How to place baby for adoption after birth 

There is no maximum age to give up a child for adoption. If you feel as though your child will have a better life without you raising them, we are here to support you. Making an adoption plan for your baby is possible at any time, regardless of your ideal plans. 

Here is what you can expect to happen when choosing adoption after your baby is born:

• If you place your baby for adoption while at the hospital, we advise you to talk with a social worker during your stay. The hospital social worker will then contact a professional from an adoption agency, like us, to help guide you in making your adoption plan. 

• This adoption process is the same as if you were still pregnant and considering adoption. The only difference is that the adoption process is sped up slightly. 

• • • An adoption specialist will give you profiles of families who match your wants and needs. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the adoptive families won’t be able to see you at the hospital, but you’ll be able to talk to them on the phone.
    • With the assistance of a lawyer and your adoption specialist, you’ll consent to placing your child for adoption. The adoptive family will then take custody of your child. 

• If you’re choosing adoption when your baby is no longer a newborn, contact an adoption agency at your convenience. Because of safety measurements due to COVID-19, you’ll be able to talk to an adoption counselor through confidential texts, emails, and phone calls rather than face-to-face meetings. 

• • Even if you have taken your child home, you can still choose adoption if you feel it’s the right plan of action for both you and your baby.
  • If your child is older, several visits with the adoptive family might be suggested to help prepare your child for the transition. 

Choosing adoption after your baby is born

Adoption is never an easy decision for a birth mother to make, and we understand that the final decision may not come until after the baby is born. Adoption is a stressful process, especially if it’s somewhat of a last minute decision. That’s why Adoption Choices of Arizona is here to help you during that stage. 

For adoption resources or to begin your adoption journey, birth parents can visit us at Adoption Choices of Arizona or call or text us at 1-480-900-5520. If you are an prospective adoptive family hoping to adopt a baby, please instead, visit us here!

Meet the author: Sarah Aguilera, a Northern Arizona University linguistics and creative writing graduate, is an aspiring author with a passion for influencing others through written words. She has a healthy ardor for all things literature and is often found with a book in her hands. 

When she’s not working, Sarah likes to spend her free time swimming, playing with her dog, going to concerts with friends and having crazy adventures with her family. Her love for her own family is what pushed her to join the adoption writing team. She looks forward to educating those hoping to grow their family through adoption.