When you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, you’re making a selfless, brave decision that will create a better future for you and your baby. You may find yourself unsure of who to talk to about the adoption process, and you’re not alone.
Many people considering adoption wonder where they can find trustworthy information. When you work with the right adoption agency, they’ll guide you through every step of the process from start to finish.
But, with so many professionals out there, how do you know which adoption professional is the best? We’ll explain everything you need to know about adoption agencies and the characteristics to look out for.
If you have any questions about finding the best adoption agency, then you can get free information now by contacting us today.
Types of Adoption Agencies
If you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, then deciding which adoption agency to work with is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make in the adoption process.
In general, there are two different types of adoption agencies:
- National adoption agencies: These are one of the most popular types of agencies to work with. They’re typically licensed in multiple states and work with prospective birth mothers and adoptive families across the U.S. They often have a larger staff and shorter wait times.
- Local adoption agencies: These agencies are licensed organizations that provide adoption services to clients in a specific area, typically confined to one state. Local adoption agencies can help people who live in the state the agency is located in. They typically have a smaller staff and longer wait times.
When you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, national adoption agencies are beneficial because they provide all the services you need to have a successful and healthy adoption.
Also, national adoption agencies are licensed in multiple states, which means the state’s government regulates, reviews and monitors the national agency’s compliance with state laws and regulations. This gives you an added layer of protection.
Finding the Best Adoption Agencies for Birth Mothers
There are many agencies across the country that can help you when you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption. When you’re ready to begin the adoption process, a few adoption agencies you might consider contacting are:
5 Key Services to Look For in an Adoption Agency
After deciding which adoption agency to work with, you’ll want to figure out which adoption services are most important to you and your adoption plan. These services are available throughout your pregnancy and will make your adoption journey much smoother.
When you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, keep an eye out for five of these key services.
1. Counseling and Support
One of the most important services to keep an eye out for when you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption is counseling services. Adoption is an emotional time for everyone involved, and while you may rely on a friend or family member for support, adoption professionals specialize in guiding you through the experiences unique to adoption.
Some agencies, such as national adoption agencies, will offer 24/7 support, too. This means you can contact your adoption professional at any time of the day on any day of the week. When you work with an adoption agency, you will have guidance and support though every step of the process.
Adoption professionals can provide:
- Help determining if adoption is right for you
- Emotional support throughout the process
- Knowledge of how the adoption process works
- Advice for communicating with adoptive families
- And much more
2. Number of Waiting Families
When you’re choosing an adoption agency, make sure they have many waiting families. You might have already imagined the perfect family for your child, or you might be going into the process still determining what type of family you want. Either way, the more adoptive families presented to you, the better.
Working with a national adoption agency when you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption means you have more adoptive families to choose from. Because national adoption agencies are licensed in multiple states, they’re able to work with more adoptive families than a local adoption agency can. Some national adoption agencies even offer adoptive family video profiles so you can get a better sense of what a family is like before you decide on one.
3. Financial Assistance
One thing to remember when you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption is that you will never have to pay for the process. As the birth mother, adoption is 100% free, and you’ll also receive financial assistance throughout your pregnancy to help cover living and medical expenses.
Every state has unique laws on just how much financial assistance you can receive, but in most states, the following living expenses can be paid:
- Rent and utilities
- Food
- Transportation to doctor’s appointments
- Maternity clothing
- Phone services
When you’re choosing an adoption agency, make sure they’re able to offer you financial assistance throughout your pregnancy. Your adoption professional will coordinate these expenses and make sure you receive the financial assistance you’re entitled to.
4. Pre-Placement and Post-Placement Contact
When you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, you will set an agreement of how much contact you want to have with the adoptive family. The adoption agency you work with will help coordinate contact with the adoptive family and help you decide just how open you want to be in your adoption.
A majority of adoptions are open adoptions, and you can communicate with the adoptive family through:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Video calls
- Emails
- Photographs
- Handwritten letters
- Or whatever you feel comfortable with
Regardless of the amount of contact you wish to have with the adoptive family, your adoption professional will be there to help you every step of the way.
5. Marketing, Advertising and Networking
Advertising is another important adoption service that’s often overlooked. This service directly impacts the number of adoption opportunities a professional can provide. National adoption agencies typically excel at this service due to their larger advertising budgets and the fact that they’re able to work with adoptive families all over the country.
The more families that an adoption professional works with, the more options you have to choose from. When adoption agencies heavily invest in marketing, advertising and networking, it’s a good sign.
If you have any questions about who can help when you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, then you can get free information now from an experienced adoption professional.
