Adoption Advocates gave us a glimmer of light in a incredibly difficult and dark time in our lives. Everyone I have worked with over the years has been nothing but warm, inviting and I think most importantly- down to earth, honest and real. Adoption is messy, people!! It’s a wild ride and I couldn’t have picked a better adoption agency to help navigate it with.
ANGELINA | BIRTH MOTHER
Making Your Adoption Plan: What to Expect
Connect with Adoption Advocates.
You’ll be paired with an adoption specialist who will reach out as soon as possible — usually within an hour or two.
During the first conversation, you and your adoption specialist will discuss your situation and why you’re considering adoption. If you aren’t sure about adoption yet (which is totally fine—most women aren’t), she’ll explain open adoption and answer your questions.
You’ll also learn what to expect working with Adoption Advocates and the services you’ll receive—so you can make sure we’re the right adoption agency for you.
Consider your physical and emotional needs.
In the early stages of adoption planning, you’ll be focused on taking care of yourself. Your adoption specialist can help you apply for Texas Pregnancy Medicaid if you need it. If you aren’t already receiving prenatal care, she can help you find a doctor and schedule appointments.
You’ll also begin having more conversations about the pregnancy and adoption. Before you can make any decisions, you’ll need to process your feelings about both. You may feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster at times, but you’ll always have a safe place to work through those emotions.
Open adoption puts you in control.
With modern adoption, you’ll be empowered to create your own personal adoption plan. You can decide what level of openness you want in your adoption, and what your hospital experience will be like.
You’ll also be able to choose an adoptive family for your child. You can start building a relationship with them – if that’s what you want. This can take whatever form seems right to you — texting to phone calls or even meeting up. You can also choose not to pursue a relationship at all. It’s your choice.
Things are getting real now.
It’s finally time to meet your baby. In addition to advocating for your hospital plan, your adoption specialist can be involved as little or as much as you’d like during the birth.
Things can feel different once your baby is in your arms. After delivery, you’ll meet again to process your feelings and see if adoption still feels like the right choice.
Until now, you’ve only made a plan.
If you choose to move forward with placing your baby for adoption, you will sign a document called a “relinquishment of parental rights”. As required by Texas law, you must wait at least 48 hours after the baby’s birth before signing. If you are still feeling unsure of your decision, let your adoption specialist know. She can explain your options for taking more time to make your decision.
After you sign your relinquishment, the adopting family signs paperwork accepting the child into their care. Placement with the adoptive parents will happen immediately.
Adoption is not over after you sign the papers.
No matter how sure you are that adoption is the right choice, you will experience feelings of loss and grief after relinquishment. Your adoption specialist will continue to provide support to help you process your feelings and find healthy coping strategies. While this step is optional, we encourage you to keep meeting with us for additional support as you transition to the next stage in your life.
Adoption Advocates is committed to providing lifelong support to our birth parents. Adoption counseling is available for as long as you need, and you can return for additional counseling at any time. We’re also here to help both you and the adoptive family as you navigate your post-adoption contact and relationship.
Making Your Adoption Plan: What to Expect
Connect with Adoption Advocates.
You’ll be paired with an adoption specialist who will reach out as soon as possible — usually within an hour or two. You’ll be able to share more about your situation and ask questions.
You’ll also learn about the services you’ll receive, including counseling, financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses, and more.
Consider your physical and emotional needs.
Your adoption specialist can help you apply for Texas Pregnancy Medicaid if you need it. If you aren’t already receiving prenatal care, she can help you find a doctor and schedule appointments.
You’ll also begin having more conversations about the pregnancy and adoption. You may feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster at times, but you’ll always have a safe place to work through those emotions.
Open adoption puts you in control.
With modern adoption, you’ll be empowered to create your own personal adoption plan. You can decide what level of openness you want in your adoption, what your hospital experience will be like. and choose the adoptive family for your child.
Things are getting real now.
Things can feel different once your baby is in your arms. After delivery, you’ll meet again to process your feelings and see if adoption still feels like the right choice.
Until now, you’ve only made a plan.
If you choose to move forward, you will sign paperwork ending your parental rights. As required by Texas law, you must wait at least 48 hours after the baby’s birth before signing.
Adoption is not over after you sign the papers.
Adoption Advocates is committed to providing lifelong support to our birth parents. Your adoption specialist will continue to provide support to help you process your feelings of grief and loss, and find healthy coping strategies.
Ask your first question today. Call (512) 477-1122 or text (512) 270-8415.
Let’s Talk About Your Plan.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. Just tell us a little about yourself and and an adoption specialist will contact you within a couple of hours. We’ll take it from there — at your pace, on your terms.
All information you provide is confidential and will never be shared without your permission.
