Important Questions to Ask before Placing Your Baby for Adoption

Placing your baby for adoption is a big decision. Just like any big decision, you’re bound to question it yourself and have questions about it before you really make that decision. It’s okay to have and ask questions! This means you are thinking through your decision and trying to make the best decision you can. 

So, let’s help you out with some of those important questions to ask before placing your baby for adoption. First, we’ll walk you through some of the questions around making the adoption decision, then we’ll give you some answers to questions about the adoption process.

What are my adoption options in New York?

When considering any significant decision, it’s important to weigh all the options. When facing an unplanned pregnancy, you have three options, all of which will bring up different questions. To simplify, your options are to parent the child, terminate the pregnancy or place the baby for adoption. We have some questions you can ask yourself as you consider your options, but you can also speak to one of our adoption specialists to talk through these options and get advice specific to your specific situation.

Questions to ask yourself as you consider your adoption options

• Can I handle the physical and emotional stresses of pregnancy? Can I safely bring this baby to term?
• How would pregnancy affect my life?
• Do I have the means to parent this child? Would someone else be able to give the baby a better life than I can?
• Do I want to parent this child? 
• How would having a child affect my life?
• How would parenting this child impact my relationships with my family and friends?
• How would placing my child for adoption affect my life?
• How would placing my child for adoption impact my relationships with my family and friends?
• What does the birth father think and what role does he want to play in the child’s life?

Many of these questions are about your personal situation, feelings, thoughts and relationships. You can think about them yourself, or you can talk through them with your friends and family, the birth father, a counselor or one of our adoption specialists. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers immediately. The important thing is to consider your options so you can make the decision that is best for you.

Questions about Adoption and the Adoption Process

1) What kind of adoption do I want? 

Another way to ask this question is: what kind of relationship do I want to have with the adoptive family and adoptee? Do you want to be able to contact your child and the adoptive parents after the adoption? Do you want them to be able to contact you after the adoption? To find out more information read our breakdown of the three different types of adoption. 

2) How do I know my baby is going to a good home? 

You may be worried about whether adoptive families will provide nurturing and safe environments for your child to be raised in. After all, you’re making this decision because you want your child to have a home and a life better than what you can provide for them. You need to know you can trust the family that will raise your child. 

All adoptive parents always go through a screening process which includes background checks, financial reviews, interviews, home and neighborhood evaluations and other measures to ensure the environment is safe and will be a good home for a new adoptee.

More than that, you can take an active role in the matching process — you can choose the family you place your child with! When choosing which family you place your child with, you can take a look through picture profiles, which are like mini-scrapbooks, of possible adoptive families and you can even meet the prospective adoptive parents before making your decision.

3) What services does the adoption agency provide during and after the adoption process?

Always ask this question no matter what when you’re looking into adoption and adoption agencies. Here at Adoption Choices of New York, we care that you are making an informed decision and that you will have support during and after the adoption process. 

We have legal counsel available (for free!) for questions about legal forms, state laws and requirements regarding adoption, birth father rights, your rights as the birth mother and any other questions about the legal processes of adoption.

Our adoption specialists are available throughout your whole adoption journey to talk with you and walk you through the process. They will help answer your questions and direct you towards other resources. You can have one of our specialists get in touch with you today!

Lastly, we have counseling available for birth parents and adoptees throughout and after the adoption, for as long as you need, free of charge. Your mental and emotional health is an important part of your overall health, and we want to make sure you are taken care of.

Important Questions to Ask before Placing Your Baby for Adoption

This is just the beginning. These questions hopefully got you thinking about what your options are and what important things you need to consider when facing an unplanned pregnancy. If you still have questions or want to read more, feel free to visit our FAQ page or read our Common Questions Birth Mothers have about Adoption blog. 

Remember — if you want to talk to someone to talk through your options and get advice relevant to your personal situation, please feel free to reach out to one of our adoption specialists.

Adoption Choices of New York is available to assist with your adoption plan. Call us, text us, email us; we are here for you!
Contact Us 24/7: 800-505-8592 (Phone) | 518-478-8420 | Click to Email

Meet the Author: Darby Summers is an avid fan of fantasy and sci-fi stories in all mediums, and aspires to share a story of her own to add to the genres she has adored her entire life. Raised in a house with the rule: “You can stay up as late as you want, as long as you’re reading”, Darby’s passion for reading, literature, and language was inspired at a young age, and continued through her achievement of a Bachelor’s in English from Allegheny College in 2017.

When she isn’t absorbed in the latest series to capture her attention, Darby enjoys working on cosplays and going to cons with friends. Her perfect night consists of staying in playing games (of the video, board or card varieties), making some delicious homemade pizza, and settling in on the couch for a movie with her husband, Adam, and cat, Sylvie. (187)