5 Steps to Making Your Adoption Plan as a Birth Mother in Florida

By Cynthia Knott

Making your Florida adoption plan as a birth mother will ensure that you are fully comfortable and in control of the adoption process. This is an important step of your Florida adoption journey, because it will outline what you want out of your adoption journey and let your adoption caseworker know how to best help you. 

Adoption Choices of Florida will make sure you fully understand what your decisions are, and how they will impact your life now and later on. You will work with an adoption caseworker to create an adoption plan that meets your needs. Every birth mother’s plan is unique to their wants and needs. We are dedicated to helping you every step of the way. You get to decide what kind of adoption you want and what it will look like, which adoptive family you want, the level of support you want, your birth plan and much more.

Decide What Type of Adoption You Want

One choice you will consider when making your adoption plan is what type of adoption you prefer. The choices include: open adoption, semi-open adoption, or closed adoption. Each of these options define how much involvement you’ll have with your child and the adoptive family after the adoption has been finalized. 

• Open adoption will lead to you maintaining communication with your child and adoptive family. You will be updated and create a long-lasting relationship with your child.
• Semi-open adoption will most likely include you getting photos, letters and other updates once in a while. You will know about your child and adoptive family’s life while not having to maintain that instant communication.
• Closed adoption is when you cease all contact with your child and adoptive family. You will gain full closure knowing your child is with a loving family and will not gain updates.

Select the Adoptive Family for Your Child

Choosing the adoptive family can be hard and confusing at times. There are many questions you may have for the adoptive families. Do you want the family to have pets? Do they live in a diverse neighborhood? What morals and values do they have? You can discuss all of these and more with your adoption caseworker and adoptive parents. 

Our adoption agency will provide you with profiles of potential adoptive parents. It may take a while to choose an adoptive family — that’s okay. There is no rush. Once you have decided on an adoptive family, you may want to meet them. Adoption agencies can help arrange a meeting, whether in person or virtually.

Discuss Needed Services With Your Adoptive Caseworker and Counselor

Pregnancy can alter your daily life and introduce more to your plate. It is important that you feel safe and comfortable during your pregnancy. Adoption agencies can arrange meetings with you to help determine what you need. We will discuss your financial needs, a safe space to live, and anything else you will need to ensure a successful pregnancy and adoption journey. 

If you are in need of financial assistance, our adoption agency offers that on an as-needed basis. So, be sure to consult with your adoption caseworker to see how you qualify. You may be able to get the following court-approved expenses covered:

• Rent
• Utilities
• Transportation
• Phone services
• Groceries
• Doctor’s appointments and prenatal care

Create a Birth Plan

Creating a birth plan with us will ensure that the hospital staff and adoptive family is onboard with your desires. This may include who will be present in the delivery room, if you will meet or hold your baby, who will name the baby, and more. You have control of what happens in the hospital, and everyone will support everything you wish.

At the hospital, we will advocate for your birth plan. Once you give birth, you have up to 48 hours in the state of Florida to sign relinquishment papers, which terminate all your parental rights. So, what you want in that span of time is something you should consider and discuss with us.

Establish Support and Counseling

From emotional support to education about the adoption process, our adoption counselors will be by your side every step of the way. Adoption can be very emotional, which is why we are available to you 24/7 to help you. All meetings are confidential, and all questions or concerns are valid. 

Adoption Choices of Florida will support you not only during your pregnancy and adoption journey, but after as well. Our counseling services are available after placement or at any time after you finalize the adoption. You may not want support right after you finish the adoption process, and that’s okay. But, know that you have post-placement support available if you need it. 

Making Your Florida Adoption Plan

Your adoption plan will make sure that you have full control over your adoption journey. You will have a lot of choices to make that may be hard in the moment, but you will be happy you made them in the end. 

Adoption Choices of Florida will guide you through how to make your adoption plan. You will be heard, and we will advocate for everything you want. You deserve control during your adoption journey, and we will ensure that you do.

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption, and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678