My services are free to birth mothers. I can help you find an adoptive family and plan and go through the adoption process with you every step of the way. I am a birth mother and an adoption attorney, so I know the process inside and out from many perspectives. I work with women all over the United States.
There are many reasons why women choose adoption. Often they choose adoption because they want a life for their child that they are not able to provide. Other women choose adoption because they are just not ready to parent. Some women choose adoption because they don’t want to parent with their baby’s father.
Adoption isn’t the right choice for everyone, if someone is pressuring you to place your baby, you need to think twice. You may feel embarrassed about your situation, but afraid you will be judged if you place your baby. In fact many family and friends are supportive of adoption. If you have financial difficulties, remember these may be temporary, be sure to research all the resources available to you before choosing adoption for this reason. It is important to seek advice and help and to make a decision based on the best interests of you and your child.
Your adoption plan should meet your own needs and expectations and will help you to make important decisions about: the type of family you want for your child, how open the adoption will be, emotional support and counseling during and after pregnancy, financial assistance during pregnancy, as well as planning your baby’s birth and creating an ongoing plan for contact with the adopting family.
Absolutely. Some women just “know” the right adopting parents right away, others need to collect meaningful information and make a choice. Whatever works for you is OK. Here are a few factors to consider: How much support do you want from the adopting parents? Do you want the adopting family involved with medical visits and at delivery? What kind of connections with the adopting family do you envisage and what are they comfortable with? You may also consider factors such as religion, neighborhood and extended family.
Yes. You can give your baby a name which will go on baby’s original birth certificate. The adoptive parents can also choose a name. This name will appear on baby’s amended birth certificate after the adoption is finalized.
Yes. You can change your mind and decide to parent anytime before your baby is born. This is true even if you’ve completed preliminary paperwork and if you have accepted financial assistance. You cannot change your mind about the adoption after you have signed a consent or relinquishment and the time to withdraw or revoke that consent or relinquishment has passed. Don’t sign a consent or relinquishment until you’re sure about adoption.
Yes. Adoptive parents will do the adoption in anyway that’s most comfortable to you. I always recommend that you keep your options open, however. Some women who think they want a closed adoption will decide later that they want the option to initiate future contact. This is not an option when you choose closed adoption.
It depends. Some states don’t require that you name the baby’s father. Other states will encourage you to name the baby’s father so his rights can be terminated. This makes the adoption more solid. If you are married to the baby’s father, it is unlikely you can do the adoption without his consent, and you must name him.
Most states allow the adopting family to cover the birth mother’s pregnancy related expenses, this typically includes living expenses. Some states limit the overall amount or the types of expenses that can be covered. The laws of your particular state and the laws of the state where the adopting family lives will affect this.
Yes. You can get counseling before and after baby is born. This is entirely your choice. It is not required. I do encourage counseling for birth mothers after baby is born. You may have a lot of confusing emotions, all of which are normal, and it may be helpful to talk with a professional about these. Most women need two to three sessions after delivery.
Yes. Every situation is different and there are times when a birth father doesn’t want to be involved in the adoption plan, or is unaware of the pregnancy. Whatever your situation, we have the legal tools to help. We can help even if: you aren’t sure who the baby’s father is, your baby’s father is in jail, your baby’s father refuses to cooperate or if you are married and your spouse is not the baby’s father.
Yes. Under every state’s laws, the adoptive parents will cover your medical expenses for prenatal care, if any, labor and delivery, and also adoption related counseling.
No. When you choose out of state adoptive parents, they can come to you. You can deliver in your home state and don’t have to travel. This is very common.
My name is Megan Cohen and I placed my son for adoption at birth in 1988. I chose adoption because I was overwhelmed and not prepared to parent. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I have never once regretted my decision. My adoption journey is one of the things about myself I’m most proud of. If you are pregnant and considering adoption or are unsure what to do, I have been there and I can help.
The Adoption Resource Center
PO Box 1270 Mendocino, CA 95460
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We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, EIN 92-1927283. Our services are free to pregnant women considering adoption, birth parents who have placed a child for adoption, adoptees looking for biological families, and birth parents who want to engage a mediator.
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