Last Minute Adoption
Choosing to place your child for adoption may not be a decision you can make quickly. Sometimes, it may take months for you to come to this decision, but if you’re already far along in your pregnancy or have already given birth, you may wonder whether a last-minute adoption in Arizona is even possible. If you’re asking, “Is it too late to give a baby up for adoption?” know that adoption may still be an option for you and that choosing adoption late in your pregnancy or even after your baby’s birth is anything but “giving up.”
We can help you whether you choose adoption early on in your pregnancy, in the middle of your pregnancy, or after you’ve given birth to your baby. We know that adoption is not an easy decision to make, which is why we can discuss your unplanned pregnancy options with you at any point in your pregnancy, and you’re never obligated to choose adoption until you know it’s the right decision for you.
Late in the Pregnancy
Many of the prospective birth mothers who contact us do so late in their pregnancy for many reasons. Perhaps they had originally planned on parenting and their circumstances changed, or perhaps they just couldn’t decide what was right until they fully evaluated each of their unplanned pregnancy options.
Even if you’re only a week away from your due date, you can still learn more about adoption and, when you’re ready, create an adoption plan that works for you. Know that choosing adoption late in your pregnancy does not mean that you are “giving up” on yourself or your baby; instead, it means that you are making a selfless, loving and well thought-out decision.
Like we would with any prospective birth mother who approaches us early in her pregnancy, we will meet with you and discuss in detail your personal situation and which adoption options might be best for you. We can help you determine your adoption preferences, including what you want in an adoptive family, whether you want an open or closed adoption and more. If you want, you will likely have the chance to meet or talk with the adoptive family before you make your final decision about adoption.
Your adoption process may be completed more quickly depending on your timeline, but that won’t stop us from providing you the same level of services that any other prospective birth mother would get. There is no deadline for deciding if adoption is the right choice for you and your child, so if you have questions about whether adoption is right for you, please contact us today. Remember, choosing adoption is not “giving” your baby up; it’s choosing to give them an opportunity at life that you might not be able to provide.
Just Gave Birth
It’s not uncommon for a woman to give birth to her child, decide that she’s not ready to be a parent, and wonder how to place her baby for adoption in the hospital. If you’re in this situation, we can help.
When you contact us, we will visit you in the hospital to talk about whether adoption is right for you—and if it is, we’ll start making your last-minute adoption plan. This will give you the chance to find an adoptive family that fits your preferences, create a post-placement contact agreement, and receive many of the same services that other prospective birth mothers do. If you decide that parenting is what’s best, we can also provide you resources to help you be the best parent possible.
Returned Home from the Hospital
Sometimes a woman with a newborn baby decides that parenting is not the right choice for her. If you’ve attempted to raise your child and know it’s not the best option, you have nothing to be ashamed of. It takes a brave mother to decide adoption is best for her child, even if it wasn’t her original plan.
Putting a baby up for adoption after birth—even after weeks or months—can still be an option for you. Arizona does not have a maximum age for adoption after birth, and there are prospective adoptive families who are ready to adopt your child even if it’s been weeks or months since he or she was born.
Attorney Heather Strickland will help you find the right family for you and your child. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you’re considering adoption after you’ve given birth, as we can tell you what you need to know about the adoption process to make the best choice for you—whether that ends up being adoption or continuing to parent your child.
