What You Need to Know about After Delivery Adoptions in Florida

Written By: Erin Jones

When most people think of adoption, they imagine a woman going through the adoption process during pregnancy. But did you know that some adoption journeys don’t begin until after an expectant mother has given birth? It’s true, and actually, it’s more common than you think. Some birth mothers don’t know they want to give up their child for adoption until right after they’ve given birth — or even until a few months later. When a birth mother decides the place her child for adoption after the birth of her child, this is referred to as a last minute or after delivery adoption. 

Last minute adoptions typically occur shortly after a birth mother has given birth and is likely still in the hospital. After delivery adoptions are similar, but can also take place after the birth mother has left the hospital and begun raising her child, either on her own, alongside the birth father, or with the help of family and friends. If you’re considering a last minute or after delivery adoption, learn about Adoption Choices of Florida’s adoption process below!    

After Delivery Adoptions in Florida

1. Choosing Our Adoption Agency

To begin the after delivery Florida adoption process, you must first choose an adoption agency — like Adoption Choices of Florida — that you believe has the best interests of both you and your child in mind. The state of Florida has over ten different adoption agencies, so you’ll certainly be able to find and get in contact with an adoption agency that you feel is the right fit for both you and your child. Once you’ve selected an adoption agency to work with, you’ll be connected with an adoption professional and/or social worker who will assist you with all of your adoption needs!  

2. Determining the Type of Adoption

After you’ve selected an adoption agency, your adoption team will be able to help you with the next step — choosing which type of adoption you want! There are three types of adoption to choose from: open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption. Today, open adoption is the most common of the three to be chosen by both birth mothers and adoptive parents. Open adoption allows for the most communication between the adoption triad — you, your child, and your child’s adoptive parents — and seen as the most beneficial to the group. For more information on the open, semi-open, and closed adoption, please visit our website’s blog on the three types of adoption.  

3. Creating an Adoption Plan

It’s just as important to create an adoption plan in an after delivery adoption as it is in an adoption process that begins while the birth mother is still pregnant. Put simply, an adoption plan is a document that consists of any and all of your preferences related to your child’s adoption — what kind of adoptive family you’d like your child to grow up with, where you want your child to grow up, your hopes and dreams for your child’s future, etc. Your adoption plan should also list critical family history and medical information that could potentially help your child in the future, provided they develop any sort of medical issue(s). For more information on how to create an adoption plan for your child, please visit our website’s blog on what to include in your child’s adoption plan. 

4. Selecting an Adoptive Family

One of the hardest — but most fulfilling — steps in the adoption process is selecting an adoptive family for your child. The reason this step can be so difficult for birth mothers is because it has a way of making the adoption process feel truly real. However, it’s also fulfilling to select your child’s adoptive family, because you’re certain your child is going to grow up with a family who loves them and will provide them with the life and the future they deserve. In your adoption plan, you should also be sure to include your preferences regarding your child’s adoptive family, so when the time comes to choose an adoptive family, your adoption team can provide you with a list of potential adoptive families who fit your requirements! 

5. Finalizing the After Delivery Adoption

The last step in the after delivery adoption process will require you to sign a few legal documents formally relinquishing yourself of your parental rights and consenting to the adoption of your child by their adoptive parents. After this paperwork has been completed, your doctor must ensure that both you and your child are healthy before releasing you from the hospital. Once you’ve both been determined healthy, you’ll be allowed to go home and your child’s adoptive family will be allowed to bring the newest addition to their family home, too!  

Adoption Choices of Florida: Your Go-To for After Delivery Adoption Info!

If you’ve recently given birth and have been considering placing your child for adoption, Adoption Choices of Florida hopes this short, informational blog about after delivery adoption has been helpful and has increased your confidence in your adoption decision. For those of you out there who are weeks or months past the birth of your child and who’ve begun parenting, know that it’s not too late to decide that parenthood isn’t for you and that placing your child for adoption is in their best interest. In fact, it’s quite courageous, brave, and responsible of you! 

Contrary to what some people may think, you should never feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty about putting your child’s best interest first. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to our adoption agency today to get started on your adoption journey — Adoption Choices of Florida will be by your side every step of the way!  

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