What to Expect at the Hospital When Placing Your Baby for Adoption in Florida

By Lily Spertus

When considering placing your baby for adoption in Florida, it is understandable to have questions about the procedures that will take place in the hospital. Professionals at Adoption Choices of Florida will help you create a birth plan, which will ensure that all of your preferences and needs are met when giving birth at the hospital. In this article, we will provide you with some steps that go into making a birth plan and cover what occurs after the baby is born. 

Considerations When Creating a Birth Plan

Do you want anyone to be with you during labor and delivery? When placing your baby for adoption, it is important to think about if you want anyone to be in the room during the delivery process and who that individual(s) may be. This may be the birth father, a family member, or a trusted friend. You can also opt to have the adoptive parents in the room with you if you would like. This can allow them to bond with the baby in his or her earliest moments, though they may wait outside until after the baby is born as well. This is ultimately a very personal decision, and you should choose what feels best for you. Discuss this with your adoption agency so they are aware of your preferences. 

Method of delivery: The method of delivery for your baby is a personal choice. There are several options, including unmedicated or medicated vaginal deliveries or Cesarean sections. Cesarean sections generally take longer to heal from, and you may be asked to stay in the hospital for a longer period of time than with a vaginal delivery. Consult your doctor in deciding what is best. You deserve to be in charge of your medical care and ultimately choose what feels right for you. 

Deciding who should cut the umbilical cord: You have the option to allow the birth father or adoptive parents to cut the umbilical cord after the baby is delivered. For some, this symbolizes a connection to the baby. You can also have a doctor or nurse do this if you do not want anyone there right after birth. 

What Happens in an Adoption After the Birth?

Would you like to hold the baby after birth? If you would like, you can hold the baby immediately after birth or choose to have the baby brought straight to the adoptive parents. This can be done in your hospital room or in a separate room for the adoptive parents. It may be hard to decide if you would like to hold the baby, and this is a decision that you might need to take time to think about. This decision should be discussed in advance to make the hospital experience as smooth as possible for you. 

How much interaction would you like with the adoptive family? You choose how you spend your time in the hospital—you determine how much contact you would like with the baby and with the adoptive family. This can create a multitude of options—the baby may stay with you in the room the entire time, and you may opt to have no visitors, including the adoptive family. You can also choose to give the adoptive parents a room down the hall where they can spend time with the baby away from you. The adoptive parents can also take care of the baby in the hospital, which may give you a necessary break as you recover from delivery. This is your time—your wishes for the baby, yourself, and the adoptive family will be respected. 

Decisions for baby

You can choose to breastfeed your baby if you would like. Many birth mothers choose not to breastfeed their babies after birth. If you would like the baby to have access to breastmilk in the hospital, you can choose to pump your breast milk and have the baby bottle-fed. With baby boys, you can choose to have them circumcised, though this decision can also be made by adoptive parents. 

Naming the baby

Your baby will first receive a birth certificate with you as the mother, and you can choose to name the baby yourself. The birth certificate will then be amended by the adoptive parents. The adoptive parents can give your baby a new name, or you can choose a name for the baby together. 

Signing Relinquishment Papers

When you feel ready, you will sign relinquishment papers officially handing the baby off to the adoptive parents. With this legal document, you sign away your parental rights. There will be a required waiting period of 48 hours when adopting in Florida. Your adoption agency will guide you through this process, make sure you understand the full meaning of the document, and provide you with any support you may need. 

Leaving the Hospital Post Adoption

Florida adoption agencies can help you with the logistics of leaving the hospital when you are ready. They will work with you to make departure a smooth process. Additionally, your adoption agency will stay with you even after the baby is placed with their adoptive family. They can provide you with professionals who will give you emotional support and make sure you have access to any resources you might need. 

Birth Planning and the Adoption Process

Your agency will guide you throughout the adoption process to create a birth plan that works for you and your baby. Adoption Choices of Florida will support you every step of the way, from before the baby is born, during your hospital stay, and after the baby is born. You are not alone in this journey, and adoption professionals are ready to help you as you make this selfless decision.