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Adoption is a wonderful way to grow a family. Family is built from love, not DNA. Whether you have faced infertility, were adopted as a child, or have simply always been drawn to the idea of adopting a child, we can help. In this short guide, we will share information for prospective adoptive parents in Massachusetts looking to learn about the newborn adoption process.
What to Know Before Starting the Newborn Adoption Process in MA
Choosing an Adoption Agency
The first step of any adoption journey is choosing an adoption agency in Massachusetts. It is crucial to select a fully licensed adoption agency that has a glowing reputation and years of experience. This will ensure that your child’s adoption is handled safely, smoothly, and legally. With a private domestic adoption agency, such as Adoptions With Love, one flat fee will cover everything involved in the adoption – from the matching services and legal fees to the expectant/birth mother’s supportive services.
The best Massachusetts adoption agencies will help you create an adoptive family profile. This is a booklet of information, letters, and photos that showcase who you are and how you will raise your child. This profile is what expectant/birth mothers look through when choosing an adoptive family for their child.
Your adoption agency will also work diligently to ensure that your rights are protected and that your post-adoption contact agreement is written in detail and signed by both parties. This legally binding agreement helps both the birth and adoptive parents adhere to the terms of the adoption – whether you have an open, semi-open, or closed adoption.
Understand MA Adoption Laws
It is helpful, when starting the journey toward a newborn adoption in Massachusetts, to understand the adoption laws. With the help of your Massachusetts adoption agency, you can get guidance and information whenever you need it. Your adoption agency will provide you with a team of Massachusetts adoption attorneys who understand the laws in your home state. According to Massachusetts adoption laws, for example, a birth parent can consent to adoption no sooner than four days after the child’s birth. Once the forms are signed, the consent is irrevocable.
With the right Massachusetts adoption agency in your corner, you will be empowered with adoption laws you need to know as you move through the adoption process.
Home Study Requirements
Another important part of the adoption journey is the Home Study. This process is required by law in Massachusetts. It takes several months to complete. It ensures that each child is placed in a safe, stable, and healthy home. The Home Study includes:
- Screenings and a thorough criminal background check
- Several at-home visits and interviews with each person in the home
- The review of important medical and financial records, including recent physicals, paystubs, and mortgage payments
Your adoption agency can help you prepare for the Home Study. This process is a time for your adoption agency to get to know you, but it is also a time for you to get to know your adoption agency. This is the professional you will be working with as you are matched with your child.
Learn About the Adoption Process
Preparing for the Newborn Adoption Process
Preparing Your Heart
Once you have found your Massachusetts adoption agency, you can begin to prepare yourself for the journey ahead. Adoption is a wonderful, life-changing experience. It can also be an emotional rollercoaster, full of highs and some lows – particularly throughout the waiting period to be matched with an expectant parent and child.
At Adoptions With Love, children are typically placed with their adoptive families within one year of completing the home study.. Adoptive parents do not submit their placement fee until a child is placed with them. If a birth parent changes her mind, the adoptive parents do not lose any money. . At Adoptions With Love, you can rest assured that you will find your forever child. Our dedicated team of adoption professionals will not stop until your adoption is complete.
Since the adoption process can cause many varying emotions, it can be helpful to pursue counseling support during this time. Adoptions With Love offers resources for prospective parents, including parenting courses specific to adoption.
Practical Preparation
Another way to prepare for your newborn adoption in Massachusetts is by preparing your home for a baby. You can work on babyproofing your home. This may include:
- Installing baby gates and outlet covers
- Removing (or adding padding) any sharp-cornered furniture
- Fencing in your backyard and/or pool, as needed
- Moving breakable items – such as frames or vases – out of reach for baby
If this is your first child, you may also want to consider registering for must-have baby items. Newborns need a few basics, such as formula, bottles, and diapers, but the following is a concise list of items that will help get your registry started:
- Baby bottles
- Bottle warmer
- Bottle brush for easy cleaning
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Changing pad with cover
- Diaper bag with insulated pocket
- Crib, mattress, and sheets
- Swaddling blankets
- Burb cloths
- Bibs
- Pacifiers
- Onesies, pajamas, and other baby clothes
- Baby monitor
- Baby carrier and/or stroller
- Car seat(s)
- Highchair
- Baby bouncer or another baby-safe chair
- Baby-friendly first aid kit
- Baby bath, soap, and bath-time accessories
There are many more items that can be useful for new parents, but there are just a few examples of the popular products that many people request.
Learning About Adoption Plans
As a prospective adoptive parent, you will also want to get an understanding of the adoption plans available. At Adoptions With Love, there are three types of adoption plans from which expectant/birth parents may choose:
These three types of adoption plans can vary based on individual adoption planning. An open adoption simply means there is ongoing, direct communication between birth and adoptive families after the adoption is complete. With a semi-open or open adoption plan, expectant/birth parents typically choose the adoptive parent(s). The expectant/birth parent may choose to speak with – or meet – the adoptive parent(s) before making their final decision. Ongoing updates usually go through the agency in a semi-open adoption. In a closed adoption the birth adoptive families do not exchange information and do not maintain contact.
Getting Organized Before Adopting a Newborn
When preparing for a newborn adoption in Massachusetts, it is easy to become overwhelmed. There is paperwork to consider, medical requirements, and legal considerations. Take a breath. With the support of an adoption agency by your side, you can rest assured that your adoption will be organized and run smoothly.
In part of the preparation process, make an appointment for your annual physical examination. Having this appointment set early in the process can help take care of one important step – getting your medical paperwork together.
Gathering any legal documents can also help give you a boost when preparing for a newborn adoption in Massachusetts. Make sure the following items are together in one folder:
- State-Issued License
- Birth certificate
- Most recent 1040 tax form
- Medical form – This may include physical, counseling, recent hospital visits, and any other relevant information related to your health and well-being.
Having these items together can make the adoption application process a smoother one. Your Massachusetts adoption agency can help you throughout the adoption process and guide you every step of the way.
Learn More About Adoption in Massachusetts
If you would like to learn even more about infant adoption in Massachusetts, contact Adoptions With Love today. We can help with your adoption and ensure you are matched with your forever child. Call 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072 or reach out online.