“Giving Baby Up” for Adoption in Shawnee, KS

You’re Not Giving Up. Here’s How to Make an Adoption Plan for Your Baby

If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you are probably filled with questions and thoughts.

What am I going to do?

I’m not ready to be a mom.

What are my options?

Who can help?

These are just some of the most common thoughts and concerns women may be facing during an unplanned pregnancy. Luckily, with so many great resources and professionals available, you do not have to experience this pregnancy alone. Whether you are still exploring all your options or seriously considering adoption in Shawnee, Kansas, we are here to help.

This guide will inform you on the Shawnee, Kansas, adoption process and provide information on resources you may need as you make this important decision. No matter what stage you are at in the pregnancy or adoption process, its best to contact an adoption professional anytime and they will be able to answer any questions and provide the guidance you may need.

In the meantime, continue reading for more information on adoption in Shawnee, KS.

How to “Give Up” a Baby for Adoption in Shawnee, KS

It is important to point out, when a prospective birth mother chooses to “give her baby up” for adoption, it is a selfless, life-changing decision. She is not “giving up” on the child or herself; she is making her decision knowing that adoption can provide her baby the opportunity of the best life possible. She is making her decision based out of love and hope for her child.

There are still some who have a misunderstanding of the adoption process and the reasoning behind why a birth mother chooses this option for her baby. Although you will see the phrase “give up a baby” and other variations in this article, as well as throughout other resources, by no means is adoption considered giving up. Many women still search for adoption information using these phrases, which is why you will see them pop up often during your research — but adoption can be an incredibly positive decision, and any adoption professionals or adoptive families you speak to will respect you immensely for it. Any negative overtone needs to be laid to rest.

The Shawnee, KS, Adoption Process

Although it can seem complicated, the process of putting your baby up for adoption in Shawnee, KS, can actually be completed in the following five steps.

Step 1: Choose Adoption and Contact a Professional to Get Started

Making the initial decision of “giving your baby up” for adoption is the first of two important steps you’ll need to take to start the adoption process. To ensure a mother doesn’t have to make this decision on her own, there is a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-ADOPTION, as well as various pregnancy counselors and adoption professionals that are available to answer any questions.

Once you have made the choice that you would like to pursue adoption, the next important decision is choosing the right professional. The adoption agency you choose will not only guide you throughout your pregnancy and the adoption process, but also impact the overall outcome and experience of your adoption in Shawnee, KS. We’ve listed some nearby Shawnee adoption agencies below to help you get started.

Step 2: Make an Adoption Plan

Creating an adoption plan is an essential component to a successful adoption. This plan helps keep the prospective birth mother in control of how the adoption will progress. She will provide input ranging from the type of relationship she hopes to have with her child after placement, to personalities of the adoptive family she wants to find, to creating a hospital plan. These details help keep the adoption progressing in the right direction and can help avoid stress or complications later on in the adoption process.

Step 3: Choose an Adoptive Family

Finding the right adoptive family for your baby is considered to be one of the more emotional and fulfilling portions of the entire adoption. In order to find the family which you will place your child with, your adoption professional will provide you with adoptive family profiles to review and choose from. Adoption profiles consist of pictures, videos, demographic information and other details to help show adoptive families’ personalities and intentions of adopting.

The number of profiles you review is completely up to you, as you may find a family you are comfortable with from the very start, or it may take a bit longer. You will want to take your time, ask any questions and make sure you are truly comfortable with each family. Once you have narrowed your list, you may choose to have phone calls, email exchanges, and even in-person visits with the potential adoptive parents to get to know them better.

Step 4: Complete Placement

With an adoptive family selected and your adoption plan in place, you can focus the rest of your Shawnee adoption process on building a relationship with the adoptive family and preparing for your hospital stay. Your adoption professional will help you create a hospital plan, which will outline the details of how you’d like your labor and delivery experience to go.

In Kansas, a child must be at least 12 hours old before a birth mother can consent for her baby to be placed for adoption. This makes it incredibly important to understand the laws surrounding consent prior to signing anything. Your adoption specialist will educate you on this procedure to avoid any misunderstanding or errors.

The act of giving consent means that the birth mother is choosing to voluntarily sign her legal parental rights away, and the adoptive family will obtain the rights.

Step 5: Adjust to Life and Continue Your Relationship Post-Placement

Placement of your child will trigger several different emotions.

Although there will be excitement for their new life and the opportunities they will have, it is natural and common to feel a sense of grief. Post-placement counseling and therapy services are available for birth mothers to make sure they don’t have to experience any emotion, good or bad, by themselves.

Connect with an Adoption Agency in Shawnee

If you are considering placing your baby up for adoption in Shawnee, Kansas, complete a contact form or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption professional. Your adoption agency will provide all of the resources needed to complete a successful adoption.

Here are a few adoption agencies near Shawnee, Kansas, that you may consider contacting:

Financial Assistance During Pregnancy

To benefit prospective birth mothers, there are many adoption-related expenses that may be paid for by the prospective adoptive parents during an adoption. It is always free to place a baby for adoption in Shawnee, KS. The use of an adoption professional is completely free to you, in addition to financial assistance for adoption being available as well.

Financial assistance helps cover expenses such as the medical bills of the prospective birth mother and the child. Some living costs, such as housing, groceries, transportation and more, may also be covered during the pregnancy. All financial assistance and spending must be documented and accounted for in order to present during the adoption hearings.

Your adoption professional, as well as your adoption attorney, will be well-versed on the specifications of what assistance is available in Shawnee. If you have any questions on financial assistance, 1-800-ADOPTION provides 24/7, no-obligation support and can help answer your questions.

Birth Father Rights During a Shawnee Adoption

One of the more complicated portions of an adoption are the rights and influence a birth father has throughout this process.

Answers to questions about the birth father are often complicated, as each situation is handled differently. Because birth father rights in Kansas are regulated by Kansas state laws and can vary significantly based on your specific circumstances, it means individual laws and rules will apply on a case-by-case basis. Discuss with your adoption specialist the impact birth father rights may have on your adoption decision and/or adoption process. Given the legal ramifications, they may defer you to a trusted adoption attorney in Shawnee to make sure all information is accurate and your adoption is completed according to all applicable state and national laws.

In most situations, the adoption agency you choose will partner you with the legal representation you will need throughout your adoption. You can also research local options independently by contacting any of the following Shawnee adoption lawyers:

Finding an Adoptive Family in Shawnee, Kansas

From the moment you decided adoption was right for you, there’s a great chance that you began thinking about the family you envision placing your child with.

What kind of personality traits do you hope they possess?

How will you find them?

When you plan your adoption in Shawnee, KS, with your adoption specialist, you will make a list of some of the specific qualities you want to find in a family that you may place your child with. Your adoption specialist will make finding adoptive parents in Kansas (or any other state you prefer) with those characteristics a top priority.

Your adoption specialist will provide you with adoptive family profiles that match some of the qualifications you are looking for in adoptive parents. You will be able to review these profiles and determine which family matches your goals and desired outcome the best.

As the expectant mother, you are in control of the family you decide to place your child with.

Once you feel comfortable with your narrowed down list of potential families for placement, it is likely your adoption professional will arrange some sort of meeting to get a better feel for their true personalities, whether through emails, calls, videos or in-person visits. The goal of this interaction is to eliminate any concerns either parties may have and to help give the prospective birth mother a little more direction when it comes down to choosing the adoptive family she will be placing her baby with during her adoption in Shawnee, KS.

Open Adoption with Your Child

When it comes to adoption, a prospective birth mother will have three different types of adoption to choose from: open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption. Each type of adoption will have different levels of involvement and interaction between the birth mother and adoptive family. In an open and semi-open adoption, the birth mother and adoptive parents will make a post-placement agreement that details the type and frequency of ongoing contact both parties would prefer.

Open and semi-open adoption provide the opportunity for a birth mother to remain updated and in contact with her child. This can help with the grieving process and make it easier to answer any adoption or family history questions the child may have as he or she grows older.

If you feel open adoption in Kansas is the best path for you, make your adoption specialist aware of your desired outcome and the type of adoption you would like to pursue, and they will be able to provide you with all of the information you will need to make your dreams become a reality.

Exploring your Unplanned Pregnancy Options in Shawnee, KS

When you unexpectedly become pregnant, the decision on what you should do for you and your baby is not something to be taken lightly. Given the life-changing impact each option possesses, you want to be fully educated and weigh all situations before making any decisions.

Having to make such an important decision for not only your future, but the future of your child, can be a lot to handle.

Professionals are here to help.

If you are a pregnant woman, you have three options available for your baby: parenting, adoption or abortion. Each option has different advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your situation, one may make more sense than the other, but it is up to you to decide.

Although you are in control of your decision, timing also may play after factor in your decision, as there are certain legal timeframes that prevent abortion after a certain point in pregnancy. Ultimately, deciding on the path you wish to pursue needs to be decided sooner rather than later. Although you are dealing with a relatively short timeframe, it is important you are well educated about each option before making a decision.

For more information on the options available and the services that can assist you with your decision, any of the following professionals in the Shawnee, Kansas, area will be able to help:

As stated throughout this article, it is important realize you have options available for your unplanned pregnancy. Professionals are here to ensure you have the information you need to make a decision and provide any and all services needed throughout your pregnancy. If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, contact us today for a free consultation and gain the peace of mind knowing that the best Shawnee, KS, adoption professionals are by your side.