Women who choose to place their babies for adoption are selflessly choosing what they think is best for their baby. Placing a baby for adoption is no doubt a difficult choice; however, there are many eager, loving families in Pennsylvania who are waiting to adopt. If you have an unplanned pregnancy, here are a few tips on how you can place you baby for adoption in Pennsylvania.
1.) First, you must decide who will facilitate the adoption for you. You will need to choose whether you want to work with a licensed adoption agency or an adoption lawyer to create your adoption plan. Please note that adoption is totally free for expectant mothers and all costs are absorbed by the potential adoptive families.
2.) Next, you will decide what you want to put in your adoption plan. An adoption plan is a guide to what you are expecting to find in an adoptive family. If you want, you will have the opportunity to choose your child’s adoptive parents by looking at their family profile/picture books. You may want to have contact with your child and the adoptive family. This contact can be through letters, pictures, emails, or even periodic visits. This is called an open or semi-open adoption. You decide how much contact you want. If you would prefer no contact, this is called a closed adoption.
3.) After you give birth, it is important for you to know that Pennsylvania adoption law states that there is a 72-hour window that must pass before you can sign the consent for adoption. When you consent, you agree that you are voluntarily allowing the termination of your parental rights and agree to place your baby with the adoptive family. However, you have up to 30 days after signing to revoke the adoption plan and reinstate your parental rights. After the 30 day period is completed, the baby will be placed with the adoptive family permanently and the adoption is irrevocable.
The decision to place your baby for adoption should not be taken lightly nor should you feel ashamed. Only you can determine what the best course of action is for you and your baby. If you feel that you are unable to provide the kind of life you want for your baby, please consider adoption as the alternative to parenting. It is important to remember that any potential adoptive family has gone through rigorous background checks, are medically sound, and have been deemed financially and emotionally ready to provide for any child placed in their home.
