Baby is born: Can I Still Choose Adoption? For Birth Mothers Experiencing an Unplanned Pregnancy 

After delivering your baby, you feel the overwhelming realization that you are not in the position to care for or give your child the life he or she deserves. You may find your circumstances just don’t fit with having a child right now, so you might wonder if adoption is available to you after birth.

Yes it is! Adoption is still an option for you and your baby, whether you find yourself at home or in the hospital, and Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri  is here to help.

 I’m in the Hospital. My Baby is Born. Can I still Choose Adoption?

You’re in the hospital. Your baby is here. You quickly realize you are not equipped to be a parent. You want to give your baby a better life by choosing adoption.

You ask the nurse to contact us, your local adoption center, and request to speak with a Birth Parent Counselor. In an anxious state, you explain that you’d like to place your baby for adoption. The adoption caseworker assures you that everything is going to be ok, and that you can still choose adoption after your baby has been born.

Three Types of Adoption Plans:

You can sit with this decision as there is no rush. When you have finally decided on adoption, your adoption caseworker will help you develop an adoption plan that is right for you and your baby. There are three different types you can choose from:

• Open adoption – has the most interaction between the birth parents, adopted parents, and child. (Examples: phone calls, virtual communication or in-person visits)
• Semi-open – has limited contact between the birth mother and adopted parents or child. (Examples: letters and sharing photos through our secure, confidental online portal, ChildConnect.)
• Closed adoption –  no contact information is shared between the adopted parents, birth parents or child.

Adoption after Birth

At Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri , we are here to support and guide you through this decision in your life. Our Birth Parent Counselors will assist with every part of the adoption process, giving you the tools and the support that you and your baby need throughout the adoption process.

Yes! You can still choose adoption, whether it has been just days or a few weeks after your baby is born. You will receive help from an adoption professional and the services necessary to start your adoption plan, if you feel like you are unable to care for your child at this time in your life.

Baby Safe Haven

Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri is a Safe Baby Haven. Under Missouri State law, if your baby is less than 72 hours old and you decide you want to place your baby up for adoption, you can contact us anonymously and have one of our safe haven professionals accept physical custody of your baby and give the baby the proper care he or she deserves. We will then notify Child Welfare Services and one of their licensed professionals will develop an adoption plan for your baby. We can also offer services in the following areas:

• Your baby must be 45 days old (1.5 months) or younger.
• Your baby must be unharmed and show no signs of abuse.
• As a birth parent, you are guaranteed anonymity. You do not need to provide any identifying information about yourself or your baby. If you wish, you may disclose helpful health information.
• When you leave your child with a baby haven provider, you permanently relinquish your parental rights, and you consent to the adoption.
• If you safely and voluntarily leave your baby with a designated professional at a baby haven, you are protected from prosecution for child abandonment or child endangerment.

Choosing Adoption after Your Baby is Born

Choosing adoption after you give birth is not an easy thing to go through. With the help of one of our licensed adoption counselors, you can rest easy knowing that you have the emotional support you need and deserve during this process. You are never alone!

You can ask as many questions as you have and receive non-judgmental answers that will leave you feeling better about your choice of adoption. Our agency will treat you with the kindness, respect and compassion that you deserve as a birth mother.

Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll free at 1-877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at (816) 527-9800; in Kansas call or text us at (316) 209 2071

Meet the Author: Samara Wiley is a published author of poetry, essays, and an environmental children’s storybook called, Waiting for the Water Fairy. She graduated from Benedictine University in 2018 with a double Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and French.She has been published in three small poetry anthologies one was called Talented.

Her other writing accomplishments include: winning a high school poetry competition and $2500 for her high school, having two out of her five novels be considered for publication and writing movie critic reviews for her university’s newsletter.

Although she has Cerebral Palsy and has had a turbulent childhood, Samara puts these small specs of herself into her writing to personally connect with her audience. She prides herself on pushing the boundaries in her writing and in her personal life with everything she does. Samara writes with her heart and a voice of compassion, and loves to pull from her top passions in life.

She currently lives in Yorkville, Illinois with her mom and two sisters.