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Things to Know
When Placing 
Pregnant and Considering Adoption? What You Need to Know
If you’re pregnant and considering adoption, understanding your rights and options is crucial before reaching out to any Adoption Agency.
This guide covers the most important information Expectant Mothers need when exploring adoption, so they can make fully informed decisions.
Understanding State Adoption Laws
The Adoption Agency you work with must be licensed in your state. This ensures that the Agency follows legal requirements and ethical standards designed to protect you and your baby.
Before agreeing to work with any Adoption Agency, ask for proof of their current state license. Legitimate Agencies will readily provide this documentation. Any Agency attempting to work with you from another state where they lack proper licensing is violating state laws. These violations put you at risk and could jeopardize the entire adoption process.
Additionally, you should never be asked to relocate to another state so an Adoption Agency can work with you. Ethical Adoption Agencies operate within the legal framework of your state and will never pressure you to move locations to facilitate an adoption plan.
Understanding Open Adoption
Many Expectant Mothers who are pregnant and considering adoption want to maintain some connection with their child. Open Adoption allows for ongoing contact between Birth Mothers, Adoptive Families, and Adoptees. This can include letters, photos, phone calls, video chats, and in-person visits.
The level of openness is typically agreed upon by both parties and can be adjusted over time with mutual consent. Research shows that Open Adoption can provide benefits for each member of the Adoption Triad, such as reduced grief for Birth Mothers and fewer identity struggles for Adoptees.
Discuss your preferences for openness early in the process. A reputable Adoption Agency will help facilitate an arrangement that feels comfortable for everyone involved.
Understanding Your Rights as the Expectant Mother
Understanding your rights is fundamental when you’re pregnant and considering adoption. As the Expectant Mother, you have the right to:
- Make Your Own Decision: No one can force you to choose adoption. This decision is entirely yours, and you can change your mind at any point before the legal finalization of the adoption (timeframes vary by state).
- Face-to-Face Meetings: Because your Adoption Agency should be licensed in your state, they should be meeting with you in person. You have the right to ask that they come to you in order to do that.
- Choose the Adoptive Family: In the open adoption process, you have the opportunity to review potential Adoptive Family profiles and choose the family you feel is the best fit for your child.
- Financial Support: Many states allow for pregnancy-related expenses to be covered during your pregnancy, such as medical care, counseling, and living expenses. These supports should never come with strings attached or pressure to proceed with adoption.
- Advocacy: You have the right to an Advocate who protects you and your interests during the the creation and execution of your adoption plan. You have the right to ask questions, request information, and be responded to in a timely manner.
- Post-Placement Support: You have the right to post placement care and support after you execute your adoption plan. Your Adoption Agency should offer some form of professional counseling, support groups, and/or post-placement advocacy.
Red Flags to Watch For
As you’re researching your rights and options, be aware of warning signs that an Adoption Agency may not be operating ethically:
- Agencies operating from another state without proper licensing
- Reluctance to provide licensing information or proof of credentials
- Unwillingness to answer questions or provide references
- Lack of clear information about your rights and the adoption process
- Pressure to make quick decisions or sign documents without time to review them
- Promises that seem too good to be true regarding financial support
- Attempts to isolate you from family, friends, or independent counselors
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong or you feel pressured, it’s okay to step back and seek a second opinion from a different Agency.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re pregnant and considering adoption, reaching out for information is a brave first step. You deserve to work with an ethical, licensed Adoption Agency that prioritizes your wellbeing and respects your decisions throughout the process.
Whatever you choose, having accurate information empowers you to make the best decision for your unique situation. Contact multiple Adoption Agencies, ask questions, and take the time you need to feel confident in your choice.
Look for Adoption Agencies that:
- Are properly licensed in your state
- Offer comprehensive counseling services
- Provide clear, honest information about the process
- Respect your timeline and decisions
- Have positive reviews and references from other Birth Mothers
- Offer post-placement support and resources
Start With the Adoption Agency that Puts You First
Your decision deserves careful consideration, compassionate support, and full respect for your rights. No matter where you are in your journey, you deserve honest information and ethical treatment from the professionals you work with.
Abiding Love Adoptions is currently licensed in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. We offer free, no-pressure consultations to discuss your rights and options. If you’re in a different state, we can refer you to an ethical, licensed Adoption Agency in your area.
All services are FREE and confidential! Contact us to get started.
Remember: Exploring adoption with us is not a commitment to making an adoption plan. It’s simply gathering information so you can make the best decision for your and your baby’s future. You deserve to have all the facts, all the support, and all the time you need to decide.
