Making choices for an unplanned pregnancy is a difficult task, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you are considering adoption as an option, our adoption specialists are ready to explain the process, answer your questions and guide you through each step — even after you deliver.
Clients in San Angelo and surrounding areas, including Ballinger, El Dorado and Eden, are served by adoption specialist, Alicia Ports.
Call or Text: (512) 270-8415
Email: [email protected]
Services Offered for Expectant Parents
How to Place a Baby for Adoption in San Angelo
Our adoption process starts off with a phone call or Zoom meeting between you and our San Angelo adoption counselor. You’ll be able to tell her more about your situation and ask any questions you have about adoption or our adoption agency.
If you want to move forward with Adoption Advocates, you’ll first fill out some paperwork online. You’ll also talk to your counselor about your expenses to determine if we can provide financial assistance. Once that’s done, we can start working on your adoption plan! These are just a few of the things you’ll be able to decide:
- The level of openness you’re comfortable with in an adoption
- Who will raise your child (if you want to choose)
- What you envision for your birth plan
- Who will be there to support you at delivery
- How much time you’d like to spend with your baby at the hospital
After your baby is born, your adoption specialist will visit you in the hospital to see how you’re feeling about adoption. If you still feel like it’s the best choice, you’ll be able to sign the relinquishment papers 48 hours. You can take longer to decide, but before then, none of your decisions are final.
In most cases, your baby will go home from the hospital with the adoptive family. The following days can be difficult, but your adoption counselor will be there to help you process your feelings of grief and loss. Our post-placement counseling extends as long as you need, and you can always return to us for counseling at any point in the future.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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.
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.
Making sure you and your baby stay healthy are important, regardless of whether you choose parenting or adoption. Texas offers Pregnancy Medicaid for uninsured women who reside in the state and meet income restrictions. This temporary insurance covers your prenatal doctor visits as well as labor and delivery costs. Before you apply, you will need to be able to provide proof of pregnancy. The organizations near San Angelo below provide free or low-cost pregnancy tests.
San Angelo Pregnancy Testing & Family Planning
Pregnancy Help Center of Concho Valley
2525 Sherwood Way
San Angelo, TX 76901
(325) 944-1515
Visit website
La Esperanza Clinic – Lake View Clinic
35 E. 31st Street
San Angelo, Texas
(325) 658-5339
Website
San Angelo Prenatal Care & Hospitals
Shannon Clinic
220 East Harris Avenue
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 481-2285
Website
La Esperanza Clinic – Chadbourne Clinic
1610 S. Chadbourne Street
San Angelo, Texas
(325) 658-5339
Website
Additional Support in San Angelo
Texas Health & Human Services Benefits Office
622 S OAKES ST.
SAN ANGELO, TX 76903
(325) 655-0576
Apply online
The Salvation Army of San Angelo
215 Gillis St
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 655-6981
Learn more
Help with emergency shelter, food and more
Family Shelter of San Angelo
San Angelo, TX
(800) 749-8631
Learn more
Helps with emergency shelter and services for victims of domestic violence
ADVICE FROM A BIRTH MOTHER
No matter where the baby ends up, people will often feel obligated to tell you to do what they feel is right or what you “should” do. Only you know what is right for you, and what’s right for what’s growing inside you.
Sarah D. | BIRTH MOTHER
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 San Angelo adoption specialist Alicia by calling or texting (512) 270-8415.
