An unplanned pregnancy may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our experienced adoption counselors are here to help you explore your options and, if adoption feels right for you, we’ll be with you through every step of the process and beyond.
Expectant mothers in the RGV, including McAllen, Weslaco, Edinburg and Mission are served by adoption specialist, Alicia Ports.
Call or Text: (512) 582-8078
Email: [email protected]
Services Offered for Expectant Parents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, you can move forward with an adoption plan. Although things will move faster, you will still have the same rights and ability to make choices that an expectant mother does. An adoption specialist will visit you to answer your questions, help you complete paperwork, share waiting family profiles and discuss a post-placement plan. You will receive counseling and support after relinquishment as well, for as long as you choose.
Here’s a look at what to expect with the adoption process if your baby has already been born:
GET IN TOUCH: Reach out to us by calling (512) 477-1122 or texting (512) 270-8415. If you’re still in the hospital, you can ask the hospital’s social worker to help you get in touch with us. We already work with many hospital social workers throughout Texas.
MEET WITH A SPECIALIST: An experienced adoption specialist will visit you as soon as possible, usually within a few hours. She will explain your options, the different types of adoption and what comes next. After learning more about adoption, you’ll decide if you want to move forward with placing your baby for adoption.
MAKE CHOICES: If you’re ready, you’ll begin making choices for you and your baby’s future. You’ll need to decide if you want an open, semi-open or closed adoption. You can start looking at adoptive family profile books and choose one. If you do not want to choose the family, the agency can select for you. Remember, you are still in control of all of your choices.
SIGN PAPERWORK: If you’re sure about adoption and it’s been at least 48 hours since the baby was born, you’ll sign the relinquishment papers. Your chosen adoptive family will be able to take the baby home as soon as the hospital discharges him or her.
The adoption process moves quickly after a baby is born, and 48 hours may not be enough time for you to make a decision. Signing the relinquishment papers is permanent, so you need to be certain this is the right step for you. If you need more time, we can arrange for short-term interim care (also known as cradle care) after your baby is released from the hospital. You’ll be able to continue exploring your options and spend time with your baby before you make a final decision. Even though your relationship with Adoption Advocates began after your baby was born, we hope it doesn’t end there. Many women experience difficult emotions, including grief and sadness, after placement. We’re here to help you through those emotions with adoption counseling for as long as you need, at no cost to you.
An open adoption means that you get to choose the adoptive parents, and you can maintain some degree of contact with them. In an open adoption, you will always be honored as the child’s birth parent, because that’s who you are. In almost all adoption plans, the adoptive parents provide pictures and letters and exchange phone calls with birth parents. Depending on the relationship that develops between you and your adoptive parents, sometimes there is visitation. The most important thing to remember is that an open adoption is what the participants jointly decide that it should be. Open adoption is an informal agreement based on trust and respect.
Parents who adopt from Adoption Advocates are educated to respect the special bond between the child and the birth family. By knowing you and receiving information from you, they can raise the child that knows where they came from. Although open adoption agreements are not legally enforceable in Texas, chances are that you will choose a family who you like and trust, and they will be committed to honoring their agreement with you.
It’s OK not to be sure about adoption right away. This is a really important decision! Take as much time as you need. Your adoption specialist will discuss all of your options with you — without pressure or judgment. Our goal is to provide support and answers, so that you can make an informed decision.
After speaking to an adoption specialist, you may decide that adoption is not right for you. That’s OK too. If you decide to parent, Adoption Advocates can direct you to resources to provide assistance during your pregnancy and your child’s early years.
No. Adoption Advocates offers all services for expectant parents, including counseling and legal services, free of cost.
As a licensed adoption agency in Texas, we may be able to provide financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses while you make an adoption plan. Your adoption specialist can discuss your situation with you to see how much assistance you may be eligible for.
In Texas, most women will need to choose between parenting or adoption for an unplanned pregnancy. With either choice, it’s important that you and your baby stay healthy. If you don’t currently have health insurance and meet income restrictions, you may be eligible for Texas Pregnancy Medicaid. This temporary insurance covers your prenatal doctor visits as well as labor and delivery costs. The following organizations in South Texas offer pregnancy-related services for little to no cost, or accept Pregnancy Medicaid.
McAllen Pregnancy Testing & Family Planning
Pregnancy Resource Center of the RGV
2021 W. Jackson Ave. #9 & ll
McAllen, Texas 78501
(Inside Taylor Community Center)
Phone: (956) 340-0164
Visit website
UniMovil
UT Health RGV’s mobile care clinic
Locations vary
Phone: (956) 279-5535
See the schedule
Hidalgo County Health Center
3105 E Richardson Road
Edinburg, TX 78541
Phone: (956) 383-6221
Website
Rio Grande Valley Prenatal Care & Hospitals
Rio Grande Regional Hospital
222 E. Ridge Road, Suite 101
McAllen, Texas 78501
Phone: (956) 632-6032
Website
DHR Health Women’s Hospital
5502 S. McColl Road
Edinburg, TX 78539
Phone: (956) 362-2229
Website
Mission Regional Medical Center
900 S Bryan Rd.
Mission, TX 78572
Phone: (956) 519-2055
Website
Need more resources? Find support in Brownsville, Laredo or Corpus Christi.
Get answers now. Call or text (512) 270-8415 for help.
Take the First Step Now
Ready to get started? Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch to discuss your situation and see how we can help. You can also reach out directly to our McAllen and Rio Grande Valley adoption specialist Alicia by calling or texting (512) 270-8415.
