FAQs About Adoption
How involved can I be with my baby, and will my child get a chance to contact me years from now?
At the time of adoption, the birthparents can choose whether or not they would be open to being contacted one day by the child placed for adoption. The level of contact between you, the adoptive family, and your child are you and the adoptive parents’ decision.
How do I know my baby will be safe with someone else?
Adoption agencies set standards for adoptive parents, which gives assurance that the child placed in an adoptive home will be safe. You also have the option to choose a family by reading profiles, phone conversation, and even meeting the couple face to face.
What are my baby’s father’s rights in adoption?
The birthfather’s rights in adoption are the same as the birthmother’s unless determined otherwise by a court system.
Will my baby be confused if I choose open adoption?
Confusion depends more on the extent of communication that occurs between the child and the adoptive family. Actually, closed adoption seems to create more confusion or frustration for adopted children because of the unknowns.
How much can I find out about an adoptive family for my baby?
Potential adoptive families provide profiles to look through with information on them. This information may consist of the size of their family, where they live, what they do for a living, as well as others things such as how long they’ve been married, how they met, what their pets’ names are, and what their health history is. They can even include what their religious views are, and will most likely include some photos of them and their lifestyle.
What will the adoptive parents of my baby have to know about me?
The adoptive parents will want to know all they can about you. They will probably be interested in your medical history, your healthcare, your age, and your interests. You may provide any additional information you would like them to have.
Will I be able to see my baby when it’s born?
Yes, you may choose whether or not you would like to see your baby, and how long you want to be with him or her. Papers do not become effective, and are sometimes not even signed until 24 to 48 hours after your child’s birth, depending on the state you give birth in.
Source:
“Birthparents Home,” Open Adoption and Family Services: OpenAdopt.com.
Last updated: 12/2006