If you’re pregnant and wondering whether you should “give up” a baby for adoption in Georgia, you probably have many questions about the process, including how it all works.
It’s important to remember that you aren’t alone.
When you consider how to place a baby for adoption in Georgia, you’re making an important choice. While many birth mothers feel scared, nervous or anxious about their adoption decision, the truth is that you’re making an incredibly brave decision by offering your child the chance to live an incredible life.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Adoption?
Adoption occurs when a birth mom makes the loving decision to place her baby with another family. An adult or couple who have gone through background checks and a home study will then be able to become the child’s legal parents. When this happens, the names on the child’s birth certificate will be changed, and the birth mom will no longer have legal rights to the child.
Many pregnant women considering adoption worry that their decision means the end of a relationship with their child and the adoptive family. Thankfully, you have nothing to worry about. Modern adoptions almost always have a level of openness, which means that birth moms who choose adoption can keep in touch with their children through an open or semi-open adoption. When you choose adoption, you don’t have to say “goodbye” forever.
You’re simply saying “goodbye for now.”
Remember that adoption does not mean you’re giving up. It simply means that you’re making the decision you feel is best for your child. You’re making a very brave and loving choice, and that’s something you should feel proud about.
How to Place a Baby for Adoption in Georgia
If you’re ready to learn how to place a baby for adoption in Georgia, your first step should always be to reach out to an adoption professional near you.
There are many types of adoption professionals, including:
While no two adoption professionals are alike, they each share one common goal: helping you find the right family for your baby.
In general, it’s a good idea to consider working with a national adoption agency when you can. This type of adoption agency can help you match with potential adoptive parents throughout the United States, which means you’ll be able to choose from a large variety of parents to make your adoption decision.
You can also choose to work with a local adoption agency in Georgia.
Local adoption agencies can help you understand how to “give up” a baby for adoption in Georgia, but they tend to have fewer resources than national adoption agencies. Keep in mind that this type of adoption agency can only perform adoptions within your home state, so you will also have fewer potential adoptive families to choose from.
Once you’ve decided to talk with an adoption professional, they can help walk you through the steps of adoption.
Step 1: Connect With an Agency and Adoption Social Worker
First, you’ll need to talk with an adoption social worker, sometimes called a birth parent specialist, about your hopes and dreams for your adoption. Your social worker can help you create a hospital plan that will help you to have the adoption experience you want. You have a lot of choices as a birth parent and your adoption coordinator will help ensure that you’re able to make choices that are best for you.
Step 2: Create Your Adoption Plan
You have a lot of choices to make when you’re ready to choose adoption. You’ll have the chance to create an adoption plan to decide what you want your adoption to look like, including whether you’d like an open adoption and how much contact you’d like to have.
Step 3: Choose an Adoptive Family
Next, you’ll want to consider the type of family you want for your baby. You have a very special and important decision to make when it comes to your baby’s adoptive family. You’re the one who gets to decide whether you’ll choose a family that lives in the country or the city. You can choose whether your baby goes to a family that already has children. You can even select an adoptive family from your home state. The possibilities are endless.
Once you know what type of family you want, you can match with an adoptive family. The right family will be different for each potential birth mom. Only you know what type of family you’d like to place your baby with, so make sure you take the time to consider what sort of life you envision for your child.
Step 4: Get to Know the Adoptive Family
One of the most important parts of your adoption experience is having the chance to get to know your baby’s adoptive family. You’ll get to watch a video with information about their jobs, lifestyle, friends and family. You’ll also be able to read their profiles to get a great understanding of what they’re like. Of course, you can also talk with your baby’s adoptive family before and after your baby is born.
Step 5: Plan for Placement, Birth and Life After Adoption
When your baby is born, you’ll be able to go through the placement and finalization process. This looks different for each birth mom, but you’ll likely place your baby in the adoptive parents’ arms. If you feel this will be too emotional or uncomfortable, you can choose to place the baby in the social worker’s arms, and they can hand your baby to their new adoptive family.
While the decision to give up a baby for adoption in Georgia is one of the most difficult choices you’ll ever make, it’s important to remember that you’re making a wonderful and loving choice for your baby.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to give up a baby for adoption in Georgia, make sure you reach out to an adoption agency as soon as possible.
The right agency will guide you through each step of the adoption process and help you understand your rights and options during this time.
Here are just a few you can choose from:
- American Adoptions
- An Open Door Adoption Agency
- Covenant Care Adoption Services
- Georgia AGAPE
- Gladney Center for Adoption
- Bethany Christian Services
Don’t wait. When you’re ready to talk with someone about adoption for your baby, please contact an adoption professional right away.
