When the blessing of a child comes at an unexpected or unwanted time, it’s difficult for the mother to face. Adoption is a positive option for birth mothers to consider. But it can be a whirlwind of information to process. Do not worry, that’s what Adoption Choices of New York is here for: to help you with the beginning of the adoption journey.
Reach out and talk to one of our adoption experts to learn about your available options. We will help you understand the adoption laws of your state, along with what to expect throughout your adoption journey as birth parents.
Standard Adoption Procedure
The basic steps in any adoption include selecting the type of adoption that is right for you: open, semi-open, or closed. Second, you will choose an attorney who will understand your case. Third, you will go over prospective families who meet your criteria. Fourth, you will decide on the right adoptive family. Finally, after delivering the baby, you will relinquish your parental rights and gift a family with a child they couldn’t otherwise have.
The First Step
Not sure how to begin your adoption journey as birth parents? Give us a call! We will answer any questions and address any concerns you have. However, if you feel uncomfortable with calling, or are unable to, we have another option available. On the Adoption Choices of New York website, you can fill out a form for us to get to know you better. The form is non-invasive and simply asks you what you would like to know, either the next step or to speak to an adoption expert.
You can choose to have us contact you via email or phone. One of our adoption experts will provide you with FAQs for birth mothers and a brochure that will address any concerns you might have before meeting with us.
Intakes: Birth Mother
After the initial contact and once you are ready, our adoption staff will take down further in-depth information. First, your preferences as birth parents for matching, living expenses to be paid during/after the pregnancy, and the birth father’s basic information (if you have this information and are willing to share it – not all birth father’s in NY need to be notified of the pregnancy/birth). Next, your medical history. Then, an agreement between you, as birth parents, and us, your adoption agency, will need to be discussed and signed. Finally, we will need to obtain a HIPAA release to confirm your pregnancy and obtain medical records regarding your pregnancy.
Intakes for the birth father will only be acquired if he cooperates. In the best possible case, the birth father will be there to support you on this journey. Yet, unfortunately, this doesn’t always work out. His consent to the adoption and entitlement to notice of the adoption depends entirely on your adoption circumstance. The adoption agency and your attorney will discuss this fully with you.
During Pregnancy Support
Doing any paperwork will require an attorney. Adoption Choices of New York will provide you with a list of attorneys that are as close in distance to you as possible, and you will be connected with one who you feel confident with. Someone who is familiar with adoption laws. Any independent legal counseling will come to you at no cost.
If needed, you will also be connected to a counselor to talk about any anxiety or pressure you might be feeling. The counseling can be ongoing, if you think that will be beneficial. Aside from emotional support, they will also be able to talk to you more in-depth about the adoption journey.
Let’s Talk About Money
Adoption Choices of New York will do most of the supervising of any monetary spending during your pregnancy. We will pay for your transportation to come meet with us in confidentiality. We will arrange and pay for transportation to your prenatal appointments for you if necessary. Do not worry about the cost of any medical expenses during your pregnancy and delivery because you will receive assistance. Any portion of the medical bills that your insurance does not cover will be covered by the adoptive family.
Living expenses will also be monitored and paid for by us. Items such as: rent, food, utilities, phone bill, and maternity clothes. If there are new expenses that come up, it is your responsibility to let us know so we can be prepared with the support. When paying for bills, all expenses will be delivered to a third party instead of the birth mother, and all receipts will be collected by the caseworker assigned to you.
The amount of approved expenses will vary depending on your residence state and financial position.
The Hospital Game Plan
Adoption Choices of New York will work with you to come up with a hospital plan which will be sent to a social worker at the hospital. Your hospital plan should include, in detail, what you want to happen during your stay at the hospital. It will give you full control and peace of mind before your delivery. Some crucial things before the delivery to consider in your plan can be who will be with you during labor, what type of birth you want, or whether or not you want the adoptive parents to be present.
Other details to consider after the baby is born can be if you decide to hold the baby, the amount of time you want to spend with your newborn, if you want to the child or leave it to the adoptive parents, or if you want to take pictures of your baby after birth. Just keep in mind that this is your decision and your birth, do whatever would make you feel comfortable and happy.
Negotiation of PACA
Post Adoption Contact Agreements, or PACAs, are what many biological and adoptive parents negotiate before the arrival of the baby. The agreement will outline the type and frequency of contact, if any, the birth parents will have with the baby after he or she has been adopted. This will ensure that you will still get to receive information regarding your child and the continuous contact will give you peace of mind that you’ve chosen the right family.
There is no specific way in which the agreement should be formatted, as long as it details all of the contact that you desire to have in the future with your baby. This is something that you will have to work on with the adoptive parents, your caseworker and your attorney.
Staying Strong
At Adoption Choices of New York, we are committed to ensuring that you and your baby will have the best possible future with our goal-oriented and professional staff. We understand the treacherous routes of life and we are here to provide you with everything you will need for this adoption journey.
Adoption Choices of New York
For more information on adoption or if you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of New York.
About the Author
Lisa Truong is an undergraduate journalism major at the University of Denver. She is minoring in writing and Chemistry. She has been commended by professors for her news stories as well as creative writing.
During her freshman year, her essay “See Ya on the Other Side” was displayed at a writing exhibition sponsored by the University of Denver. That essay later went on to be published in Many Voices One DU, a book also sponsored by the university.
Lisa frequently volunteers to be a leader at the Daniels School of Business for their quarterly Ethics Boot Camp where students learn about the importance of character in business. In her free time, Lisa enjoys watching animated movies with her mother, listening to music, going for bike rides, and eating breakfast food.
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Sources:
“Adoption Agencies in New York: Unplanned Pregnancy Help: I’m Pregnant- Putting Baby Up For Adoption.” Adoption Choices of New York. Accessed July 22, 2019. https://www.adoptionchoicesofnewyork.org/im-pregnant/.
“Post Adoption Contact Agreements.” Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. Accessed July 22, 2019. https://adoptionart.org/adoption/post-adoption-contact-agreements/.
Rosenhaus, Nancy. “Making an Adoption Hospital Plan.” Adoptions With Love. July 19, 2019. Accessed July 22, 2019. https://adoptionswithlove.org/birth-parents/adoption-hospital-plan.
“The Adoption Process for Birth Parents.” American Pregnancy Association. June 07, 2018. Accessed July 22, 2019. https://americanpregnancy.org/adoption/adoption-process-birth-parents/.
