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Do the services of Open Adoption Services cost me anything?
No, all services are provided to birthparents at no charge.
Can I contact Open Adoption Services, even if I haven't decided to
plan an adoption?
Yes, we encourage you to do all you can to collect information.
How much control do I have in this whole process?
You have as much control as you want. If you plan an adoption, you choose
the family to raise your child. You determine the level of openness that's
right for you and your child. You determine who will attend the birth,
when your child will be placed and how often you will visit and receive
letters and pictures afterward.
How do I pick an adoptive family?
You evaluate online portfolios. You choose who you wish to contact or
who will contact you. You can ask any of the waiting parents for more
information.
What will the adoptive family learn about me?
The adoptive parents want to know as much as possible about you. Once
you have requested information from a waiting family and begin communication,
they will want information about your, age, health, interests, medical
records and so on.
Will you tell me how long a family has been waiting for a child?
We will tell you, but this information alone is not a good indication
of which family is best for your child.
What happens after I choose a family and we meet?
After your first meeting with the adoptive parents, each of you will decide
if you want to meet again. You will continue to meet until the baby's
birth. The meetings are arranged between you and the waiting parents you
have selected, so you work out when and where you would like to meet.
Meetings can be at the adoptive parents' home, at a restaurant or anywhere
you choose. Once you and the adoptive family get to know each other, you
decide the exact terms of the written "Open Adoption Agreement" which
outlines the on-going contact between you, your child and the adoptive
family. During these meetings you will develop a birth plan by discussing
the following:
- Will the
adoptive family be with you during the birth?
- How long
will you spend with the baby before you sign relinquishment papers?
- When will
the baby go home with the adoptive parents?
- What other
issues are important to you and the adoptive family?
If waiting
parents can help with my expenses, what would that include?
Once you decide to plan an adoption, the adoptive family you choose can
assist you with pregnancy-related expenses such as medical costs or hospital
stay. In most cases, the law is very strict about how help can be provided
and a court order is required. (It is also common for the adoptive parents
to assume the expenses only upon completion of a successful adoption)
We'll help you assess your financial needs and can assist you in locating
services to assist you during your pregnancy. We'll work with you so you
feel comfortable asking for what you need during your pregnancy and immediately
following the baby's birth.
Can I
name my baby, and will the adoptive parents keep the name I pick?
Yes, you may name the baby. The name you choose will be on the original
birth certificate, which is given to you. The adoptive family will also
name the baby, and they will receive another birth certificate, which
is created at finalization. Trying to pick names for the baby that all
of you like will be part of what you discuss during meetings with your
waiting parents.
What information
do you need from the birthfather?
We would like as much information as possible. The birthfather can provide
the same information as you: a physical description, family background,
education, job, medical history, ambitions, etc. We also request that
he complete and sign relinquishment papers, if possible, prior to the
birth. If you do not want to include him in your adoption planning process,
we'll send the forms to him. In most states, birthfathers must be named.
When does
the birthfather have to be present?
After you provide us with his address, you do not have to be involved
with him. If he chooses, we will provide individual counseling for him.
However, you may prefer that the birthfather help you select the adoptive
parents, meet them and negotiate an open adoption agreement -- in fact,
plan the adoption with you.
Will I
be able to see my baby in the hospital? Will my family, friends and the
birthfather be able to see my baby?
Yes, you can spend as much or as little time as you would like with the
baby. You will determine who else sees the baby.
When do
I sign the papers?
This varies from state to state. In most cases, a legal transfer of parental
rights cannot occur until after the child's birth. Once you have selected
a waiting family, their adoption attorney will be familiar with the jurisdictional
laws.
Will I
get to see my child after the placement?
It's up to you and the adoptive family to decide how and under what circumstances
the visits will occur.
Is this
good for my baby?
Research about children in closed adoptions has reported that these children
are troubled by two haunting questions: Whom do I look like? Why didn't
my birthparents keep me? An open adoption allows you, the birthmother,
to answer these and other questions that only you can answer. What if
I change my mind? No binding decision can be made until after your baby
is born. Once you sign the Consent to Adoption and Certificate of Irrevocability
(and only you will decide when that will be), you cannot change your decision,
unless you can prove in a court of law you signed the documents under
conditions of fraud or duress.
How soon
after the baby is born can it be placed in its new home?
The baby may go home with its new family as soon as you have signed the
papers relinquishing your parental rights. The hospital must also indicate
that the baby is medically ready to leave.
After
the adoption is completed, will I need to have any further contact with
Open Adoption Services? If so, why and under what circumstances?
You don't have to maintain contact with us, our only purpose is to bring
you and your baby together with qualified, waiting adoptive parents.
Why would
I choose someone from Open Adoption Services instead of someone in the
newspaper?
There is no right way to find your Adoptive Family. You just need to pick
someone that feels right to you. Many waiting families work simultaniously
with Open Adoption Services, newspapers, networking with friends or waiting
parent support groups. We require that any waiting parent listed here
has already qualified as adoptive candidates by having successfully completed
legally required home studies and criminal background checks.
If I have
more than one child, can the children be placed together?
Absolutely. Many of our families are open to adopting more than one child.
And we believe in keeping siblings together whenever possible.
What do
I do next?
Bookmark this site (make it a favorite) so you can find it again. Evaluate
the online porfolios. If you see a couple you like, fill out the online
form to learn more about them. Revisit the site from time to time because
the online portfolios change.
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View Portfolios
