Common Questions Pregnant Teens Ask

How will I know if adoption is the best choice for me and for my baby?

If you aren't in a position to be a parent, it is okay. You'll be able to still provide your baby a wonderful life by choosing a caring couple to be your son or daughter's parents.  If that thought gives you some serenity, you know you are on the right track.

Am I able to pick the family for my baby?

Sure! The adoption professional you decide to work with will have a lot of adoptive couples and some single adoptive parents to pick from. All will have been evaluated and approved. You may also pick a couple you know or that has been suggested to you.

When my baby grows up, will he or she disapprove of my adoption choice?

Since you get to pick your son or daughter's adoptive parents, you will pick a couple you like and who'll like you and honor you and your choice. With the mother and father as role models, your child  will honor you and love you for the tough and courageous decision you've made. You will also decide on parents you know can give your child an excellent life. Your child is going to appreciate you and love you for the gift of a rich and fantastic life that, at the time, you weren't in a position to give.

How can I make sure that my baby will be loved and well taken care of?

Every prospective adoptive family has to be assessed and approved based on stringent standards set, not only by the state where they live, but also by the adoption professional aiding the adoption. A social worker will get together with the family in their home before they are permitted to adopt. Then, after the newborn goes home, the social worker will visit their house many more times to make sure your son or daughter is well cared for and is in trusted hands.

Just how much will my baby know about me?

You will need to give a full social and health background to the adoption professional handling the adoption for the advantage of your child. If you decide to have continuous contact with the adoptive family, your son or daughter will have ongoing information about you directly from you as time passes.

How much contact can I have with my child in the hospital and following the adoption?

You can spend all the time with your baby in the hospital as you want. When you are planning your son or daughter's adoption, you can decide to have contact with the adoptive family following placement through pictures, letters, emails, a personal web page and if you want, even personal visits. Or, if you prefer to not have any contact, confidential adoption is also doable.

How soon can my child go to the mother and father I choose?

Most moms want their baby to go home from the hospital with the adoptive family. Other moms elect to place their child in interim care for a brief time to enable them time to make sure of their adoption decision. The laws of the state in which the adoption takes place will, in some instances, affect the timing of your child's placement. For instance, a legal waiting period might be enforced or the birth father's rights may need to be addressed before placement.

Does the dad of my baby have any legal rights?

Both you and the father of your child have legal rights. If the two of you don't agree about adoption or if you no longer have a relationship with him, the adoption professional will continue to work with him and/or the courts to determine and also terminate his rights.

Could my child find me if he or she really wants to search someday?

Your son or daughter will probably never need to search to find you if you have had ongoing contact with the adoptive family. In case you have lost contact with the family, your adoption professional will more than likely have a means for you to connect with each other, if you both want contact. If you don't want your child to locate you, the laws in the state where the adoption case is filed can figure out how much information your child can access in the adoption file. Your adoption professional can clarify.

Do I need an adoption attorney?

Yes! We recommend that you use David Radis as your adoption attorney. We can help with all the paperwork and legal files that need to be filled out and submitted.

Am I able to get help with medical and living expenses while I am making an adoption plan?

Assistance with medical and living expenses will come in many cases if you have need for assistance. Ask your adoption professional about the availability of financial aid.

Can I give my baby a name I select?

Yes! You are able to name your baby. The name you choose can go on the child's original birth certificate. The adoptive parents might use the name you decide on as a first name or middle name or pick a different name.