Adoption

Beginnings Care for Life
Crisis Pregnancy Center

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Adoption

Maybe you know in your heart that you can’t take care of your baby. There’s not enough time, money, or help. Maybe you already have children and one more baby would be too much stress on you.

The good news about your situation is that there are so many families all over the country that would love to have a baby of their own, but can’t due to infertility. They are waiting for a person like you - a person that wants to give a baby life, and share that baby with them.

You are doing the right thing by researching all of your options. Adoption is a choice that you need to think about carefully, but if you can’t parent, no matter what the reason, adoption may be the right choice for you!

Bethany Christian Services is one of the nation's leading providers of adoption and crisis pregnancy support information and an adoption agency we refer to. They operate a national hotline which is active from 8 AM to 12 PM, 7 days a week (1-800-Bethany). This hotline routes callers to one of 56 local offices which can then provide local and regional information. We also refer to another adoption agency, Adoption Associates, Inc. They can be reached at www.adoptassoc.com or 1-800-677-2367.

On-going education and support for parents are offered through their adoption support services. Bethany acknowledges that adoption is a life-long process and that adoptive families sometimes have unique issues and concerns. Bethany's adoption pre-screening and placement program is one of the most recommended in the country, and they have placed more than 11,000 children in adoptive homes. In addition, Bethany provides good community-based follow-up, both for women who choose adoption or who raise their child themselves. For more information you can view the reply of Bethany to commonly asked questions below or go to the Bethany Home Page.

How can I be helped financially?
There is no cost to you for adoption. You do not need an attorney - Bethany (or your adoption agency) will handle all the legal and financial details for you.

Can I get assistance with medical and living expenses while I am making an adoption plan?
Assistance with medical and living expenses is available at Bethany.

What services does Bethany offer for me?

Assistance with medical and living expenses
Referrals for housing and coordination of medical services
Interim care for the child, if desired
Development of an adoption plan
Hospital visitation and coordination of services with hospital staff

Birth parent support groups
Post-adoption counseling
Assistance with the legal process of termination of parental rights
Counseling services for designated (private) or attorney-facilitated (designated) adoptions
Pregnancy counseling for you and your extended family before and after birth

Can I choose a family for my baby?
Yes! Most agencies have many different families you can choose from. These families have been screened and approved. There are additional options such as choosing a friend or someone who has been recommended to you. You can see a list of family profiles online, and the office you choose will have more profiles for you to look at.

How much will I get to see my baby after birth and after adoption?
You may have as much contact with your baby at the hospital as you want. When planning your child’s adoption, you can choose an open adoption plan that allows ongoing visits with your child, or you can choose semi-open plan that keeps you informed about your child’s progress through letters and pictures. If you prefer not to have any contact with your child or the adoptive family, confidential adoption plans are also possible.

How soon after birth can my baby go to the parents I choose?
The timing of your child’s placement depends on three factors:

What you prefer to be the time of placement
Legal aspects of adoption, which may vary from state to state
The cooperation of the birth father

Many women want their baby placed with the adoptive family directly from the hospital, but you may prefer to place your baby in temporary care while you consider adoption.

How much will my child know about me?
That depends on what type of adoption you choose - open, semi-open, or confidential. Also, your agency will encourage you to provide your complete medical and social history to your child, no matter what type of adoption you choose (in some states this is required).

Does the birth father have any rights?
Both you and the birth father have rights. If you disagree about adoption or you no longer have a relationship with him, your agency will work with the birth father and/or the courts to determine if his rights can be terminated.

Can my child find me if he/she wants to search someday?
The laws in your state determine when and how your child may have access to information in the adoption file.