Step-by-Step Adoption Guide for Pregnant Women in Florida

Everything You Need to Know about Placing Your Baby for Adoption

By Eve Jones

Unplanned pregnancies are challenging and often force us to make difficult decisions. That’s why, at Adoption Choices of Florida, we are happy to provide help and guidance through the adoption process. In this resource, we will go through a step-by-step adoption guide, from making the choice to place your baby for adoption up through the birth and what comes after.

1. First Steps into the Adoption Process

If you are considering placing your baby for adoption in Florida, our adoption agency could be your first stop. Perhaps you have already done some research on other adoption agencies and how to find an adoptive family on your own. Perhaps you’ve looked into other alternatives. If so, that’s great! 

If not, you might want to look at all your options just so you can be sure you’re making the best one for you. Either way, we are here to help you find the best possible home for your baby while ensuring you get the assistance and support you need.

2. Making an Adoption Plan

If you have decided that adoption is the best choice for you and your baby — welcome! Once you’ve reviewed the many resources adoption agencies offer, the best thing to do next is to make your adoption plan. If you want to learn more about what an adoption plan, and what that all entails, be sure to check out this resource. It covers many of the questions you may have about making an adoption plan, and is a great opportunity for you to think about your wants and needs — and those of your baby. 

By making an adoption plan, you’ll learn a lot about adoption, which should help you feel more at ease. You’ll also be able to include a birth plan so that your needs will be taken care of when it comes time to give birth. Your adoption plan can be as simple or as complex as you prefer. It’s all up to you! 

3. Reviewing Adoptive Families

Once you’ve written out your adoption plan, the next step is to start reviewing potential adoptive families for your baby. It can be helpful to make this part of your adoption plan, so you can figure out ahead of time what kind of adoptive family you’d like your baby to become a part of. We will set you up with an adoption specialist who will work with you on finding the best family. You, of course, don’t need to think of every detail. If you’d actually prefer to leave all the details up to your adoption specialist, that’s completely fine!

If you do want to be more involved in the adoption journey, what type of adoptive family do you see for your child? Perhaps you came from a large family and you’d like your baby to have that experience as well. Perhaps you’d rather he or she go to a couple or individual with no other children, giving your baby more one-on-one time with their adoptive parents. You might have other preferences too, which you can go over with your adoption specialist. They’ll help you iron out the details and let you know what’s possible, or what may be unlikely, so that your expectations are realistic. (We can’t promise to place your baby in the royal family or with a celebrity, for example!) 

4. Self-Care during the Adoption Process

Sorting out your adoption plan and choosing an adoptive family are the priorities early on in your pregnancy. Once you have those in hand, you can focus on the pregnancy itself. Your body is going through many changes as it grows a new person, so you’ll want to pay close attention and let your adoption specialist and the adoptive family (if it’s an open adoption) know if there are any potential complications. If you have questions about nutrition, prenatal vitamins, having a doula or midwife, and other ways to take care of yourself, be sure to consult with your doctor. 

Every single pregnancy is different, so what works for one birth mother might not work for you, and vice versa. Listen to advice from your loved ones, but don’t feel obligated to heed it if it seems unnecessary or unhelpful. Lean on your social circle for support as much as you feel comfortable with. While pregnancy is individual, going through challenging experiences is something we share with those around us.

5. Creating Your Hospital Plan

As part of your adoption plan, you can write out your expectations and wants for the birth itself. Things like which hospital to go to, your health insurance information, and a go-bag with extra clothes and toiletries are great to have at the ready. But it’s also important to be prepared for the adoption. If you would like the adoptive family to be present at the birth, that’s great! You may prefer to only have your own loved ones with you, that’s fine too. If you decide you’d like to be alone, that’s another valid option. It’s completely your choice. 

No matter what you decide, your adoption caseworker will be there to advocate for you. Giving birth can be complicated, and we may not always be in the right state of mind to speak up for ourselves when questions and concerns arise. Be sure to have a trusted friend or family member there, too, to ensure you get home safely.

Regardless who will be allowed in the delivery room with you, the adoptive family will most likely be at the hospital either during the birth or immediately after in order to take the baby home. You will have up to 48 hours to sign relinquishment papers, effectively terminating your parental rights.

6. Counseling and Post-Placement Support in the Adoption Process

Even after adoption, Adoption Choices of Florida still offers free counseling and post-placement support. If you need extra advice and encouragement while grieving, please do not hesitate to reach out. Placing a baby for adoption affects every single person differently, and there is no wrong way to process it. Whenever you need to talk, no matter how long its been, we’ll be here.

If you’ve read this guide and still have questions, feel free to visit our website or give us a call. We look forward to helping you create an adoption plan and find the best adoptive family for your baby. 

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