Putting My Child Up for Adoption

If you are considering adoption for your baby, you will often find: “give up baby” or “put up baby” for adoption on some of our website pages, please understand right away, you are NOT giving up anything. These terms appear here because they remain the most widely used search terms for those who are considering adoption for their baby, and we wish for this page to reach all who seek information about adoption. Adoption is anything but giving up. It is an unselfish and loving plan for your child to be placed with a loving, stable home.

Making this choice, choosing adoption is not an easy thing to do, but it is one of the most positive choices you can make for your baby. By choosing adoption, you are choosing to make a thoughtful plan for your baby’s life. Although you did not plan to have this baby, you can certainly plan a bright future for him or her through adoption.

This is a responsible and loving decision that requires great consideration and strength. It requires putting your baby’s best interests first. By considering adoption, you are thinking about giving your child a life that you are unable to provide at this time; one with opportunity, love, education, and a lifetime of love. This is brave and thoughtful and the opposite of giving up.

How to put a child up for adoption

What Steps do I Take for Putting My Child Up for Adoption?

Step 1: I am pregnant. Now what?

If you have tested positive and discovered you are pregnant, the first step is to seek medical care for your own health. A doctor will determine the due date. Also, it is very important to stop any alcohol or drug use as the effects can easily cross through the placenta and have negative, life-long consequences for a developing child.

If you are on this webpage, this is likely an unplanned pregnancy that you don’t want or that you’re not ready for and you’re considering pregnancy options or adoption options.

Step 2: Next Steps.

Once you have secured medical care, begin preparing for the next step in considering adoption. You may ask yourself:

• Am I ready for the changes this pregnancy will bring to my current plans for the weekend? The summer? The next 18 years?
• What were my goals for my life before I found out I was pregnant? What are they now?
• How can I plan to support myself and a child? How much do diapers cost? Baby formula? Other baby items?
• Can I handle a child and a job and/or school at the same time?
• What is the father’s role going to be? Can I depend on him to provide me with financial and emotional support and care for the baby?
• What are my parents and friends going to say?
• How can I finish school? Go to college? Start my career?
• Would I be able to physically and emotionally provide the stability, love, and support my child needs and deserves?

In short you have 3 choices: parenting, terminating your pregnancy, and adoption

Step 3: Choosing Adoption.

Adoption is chosen for many reasons. Some want their child to have a more stable or financially secure home; others don’t want school or career opportunities to be lost by raising a child; and many don’t feel ready for the lifelong commitment of parenting. Whatever your reason for thinking about adoption, learning about all your unwanted pregnancy options will help you make the best choice for you and your child.

Contact Adoption Choices of Texas to discuss your options.

Step 4: Making your adoption plan.

Adoption Choices of Texas will help you understand your options and make a plan that meets your needs. You’ll want to consider whether you’re prepared to parent a child for the next 18 years, and what resources you’ll have if you choose to raise your child. Our professional staff will help you think through your feelings, concerns, and questions without any pressure.

Step 5: Involving the father of the baby.

The baby’s father has parental rights, but what happens with those rights depends on your situation. Whether you are married, and how active the birth father is in your life will affect how his parental rights are handled before the adoption is final. Our staff can take care of all the necessary paperwork.

Step 6: Choosing the adoptive family.

You decide how active you want to be in choosing and getting to know an adoptive family. Some of the women we help want to have a lot of contact, even inviting adoptive families to doctor visits. Some of the women we help don’t want contact and have the agency choose a loving family that matches their wishes. While we advocate open adoption or semi-open adoption, closed adoptions are also an option.

Step 7: Staying safe and healthy.

During your pregnancy, it is very important that you are able to stay safe and healthy – for your own well-being and for the well-being of your baby. We will make sure that you are not worried about stable housing, healthy groceries, reliable transportation, and uninterrupted phone service. Your adoption counselor will also make sure that you are receiving the counseling and guidance you need to have a positive and healthy adoption experience.
Top tips during pregnancy.
Financial assistance.

Step 8: Hospital and birth plan.

Nearing your due date, you want to feel better prepared. Adoption Choices of Texas is here to do just that by helping you create a hospital plan! While no amount of preparedness can fully take away the flood of emotions you’re sure to have on your delivery day, having a breakdown of events will help you know what to expect.

A hospital plan can be a list or a document detailing what you do or do not want during your hospital stay. Creating one before you go into labor helps you mentally prepare for the process. It also allows your adoption professionals and adoptive parents to understand exactly what you want your stay and delivery to look like.

Step 9: Signing adoption paperwork – putting baby up for adoption.

In Texas, you may sign the adoption papers 48 hours after giving birth. Your decision only becomes final when you sign that paperwork. It’s a good idea to make important decisions as early in your pregnancy as possible, so you’re not in a hurry to choose a family and make your adoption plan.

Step 10: Contact and counseling after adoption.

You will have the ongoing support of your adoption counselor as long as you need after the adoption, and your financial support will continue for about a month after birth. We will arrange the contact that you want to have with the adoptive family, if you want any, and we will always be available whenever you need our help.

Putting Child Up for Adoption with Licensed Adoption Agency in Texas

Considering adoption or have you decided to put up your baby for adoption? As a licensed adoption agency, we can create and follow an adoption plan that is unique to you and your preferences. What do we offer?

• Birth parent assistance during pregnancy and AFTER the adoption which can include:
  • Living Expenses – rent, utilities, food and clothing
  • Transportation – can be provided to and from agency, doctor appointments, and hospital visits
  • Medical Expenses – our agency can help cover costs of prenatal care, hospital and delivery charges (if insurance is unavailable)
  • Counseling Services – we offer support and counseling support with licensed social workers, additionally, a referral for professional counseling can be provided during the pregnancy and the post-partum period.
• Our agency ensures that prospective adoptive parents go through an extensive screening process in-order-to ensure your baby is placed in a loving, stable home
• Coordination of all legal services will be provided at no cost to you
• Contact can be maintained with your child through letters and pictures following delivery – choosing the type of adoption

Placing Your Child for Adoption is Healthy and Loving Choice!

• It is our promise to maintain your privacy and confidentiality at all times
• We will never judge you, coerce you, nor force you into choosing adoption

More Resources for Putting Baby up for Adoption

How to Place Your Baby Up for Adoption as a Homeless Pregnant Woman

Can I place my baby for adoption if I am not a U.S. Citizen?

What are the Requirements in Texas to Place Your Baby for Adoption

Is it Too Late to Place My Baby for Adoption?

Placing Your Baby for Adoption After Delivery 

I’m Pregnant Again: Can I Place My Baby for Adoption with the Same Agency?

How to Place a Baby for Adoption During Quarantine