How to Place Your Baby for Adoption in Maine

*Adoption is not giving up

Are you pregnant and considering adoption? Discovering an unplanned pregnancy is an emotional, overwhelming experience. Right now, you may not know where you can go for help or who to call for support. You may be looking for a loving home for your child but are unsure how to start the adoption process. Terms such as “give baby up for adoption Maine” may be in your browser history. Take a deep breath. You are not alone. If you are an expectant/birth mother living in Maine, know that Adoptions With Love is here for you.

Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption in Maine

While those outside of the adoption community continue to use the term “give baby up for adoption,” it is important to know that you are not “giving up.” Adoption is anything but giving up. The road to adoption is full of emotional challenges. It is not the right path for everyone, but it is one that can offer plenty of rewards for expectant/birth mothers.

Before starting your adoption plan, we recommend doing your research. Adoption is one of the most loving and long-term decisions you can make for your child. You should always be well-informed about it first. Ask questions. Learn what you need to do to place your baby for adoption in Maine. Prepare for the journey ahead. As a reputable adoption agency serving Maine, Adoptions With Love can help you navigate the adoption process. We will listen to you, answer your questions, educate you on adoption in Maine, and help you make the most positive, informed decision for you and your baby.

Whether you are facing an unplanned pregnancy or have already given birth to your baby, we extend our support to you. To help get you started, we have created this mini guide to making an adoption plan in Maine:

1. Choose an adoption agency that you trust.

Every adoption journey starts by choosing the right agency to guide you through the process. This is the first step when considering how to put a baby up for adoption/make an adoption plan. There are many Maine adoption agencies, but it is important to find a licensed, reputable agency that you trust. How will you know you are choosing the right adoption agency?

The right Maine adoption agency will have staff who listen to your wants and needs, who are willing to discuss all your options with you, and who promise to respect any choice that you make. Look for an agency that will stand by your side and support you throughout the entire adoption experience – not only as you prepare for the adoption, but also throughout your life. Your adoption agency should also be accessible to you at any time of day, any day of the week, to answer your questions and help you design the perfect adoption plan.

2. Decide the type of adoption you would like your child to have.

If you are researching “how to give baby up for adoption Maine”, you will want to learn about the types of adoption plans available, as well. Working with an open adoption agency in Maine means having the option to create an open, semi-open, or closed adoption plan. With an open adoption, you can:

• Choose an adoptive family for your baby.
• Meet and get to know the family for your baby.
• Keep in touch with your child’s family over the years.
• Receive letters and pictures of your child as he or she grows.

Many expectant/birth mothers choose to create an adoption plan with some level of openness, because it gives them peace of mind to see and know that their child is doing well. If you would like to make an open or semi-open adoption plan, you can decide the amount of contact you would like with your child’s family, if any at all.  At Adoptions With love, we will help you personally design the type of adoption plan that best fits your wants and needs: you can choose an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or a closed adoption plan. One of our adoption counselors will explain each option and, if you would like, help you create your ideal adoption plan.

3. Choose an adoptive family.

Whether you decide on an open or closed adoption, you will always have the option to select a family for your baby at Adoptions With Love. Your adoption specialist will send you a selection of prospective adoptive parent profiles. These family profiles, consisting of letters and photos, will help you get to know the people who may be adopting your child.  Many of our families also have online profiles and videos. Once you choose an adoptive family, you can choose to speak with them through email, phone, or meet them in-person.  This is completely up to you.

No matter which adoptive family you choose, you can rest assured that your child will be placed in a loving, safe, and secure home. All waiting families must complete the Home Study, which includes a thorough screening and interviews by a licensed social worker, and a series of federal background checks. These prospective adoptive families are fully able and ready to raise a child.

4. Understand the adoption laws in Maine.

Adoption laws vary from state to state. It is important to work with an agency who has adoption attorneys specifically trained in your home state. When researching how to give a baby up/place a baby for adoption in Maine, this is an important factor to consider. In Maine, any competent, responsible adult over the age of 21 – resident or non-resident – may adopt a child. The state requires a background check prior to adoption. As mentioned, Adoptions With Love requires a Home Study to ensure a healthy, safe, and stable environment for the child.

Some states also require birth mothers to wait for a specified period of time between birth and signing of consent papers. In Maine, birth mothers may sign the forms any time after birth. At Adoptions With Love, we encourage birth mothers to take all the time they need before signing the paperwork. There is no rush. It is never too late to make an adoption plan, and you will want to give yourself enough time to make sure you are confident in – and comfortable with – your decision.

Adoptions With Love’s legal services are always free of charge for expectant/birth mothers.  There is never a cost for the expectant/birth parent services at our agency. In Maine, licensed, private adoption agencies like us are permitted to provide financial assistance for some pregnancy-related expenses needed before, during, and for weeks after your baby’s adoption, such as:

• Complete counseling services – before and after the adoption is complete.
• Help designing your adoption plan – catered to meet your needs.
• Assistance in finding quality medical care and coverage of any uninsured medical bills related to pregnancy and birth.
• Housing assistance. We can cover a deposit and several months of rent.
• General living expenses, such as utilities, cell phone bills, transportation, and even maternity clothes, if needed.
• Legal assistance. Our attorney team in Maine can meet you at the time and place that is most convenient for you and walk you through the adoption process.
• Ongoing Contact

5. Receive ongoing adoption support.

Adoption is a lifelong journey full of new relationships and emotions. As you research “give baby up for adoption Maine,” remember that there are resources out there that can help. A reputable, experienced adoption agency, such as Adoptions With Love, can offer you the support and assistance you deserve. We can help you navigate the adoption process, adoption relationships, or open communication over the years. As part of your post-adoption services, we extend free ongoing, confidential counseling services. We can also help you create an open adoption agreement with the adoptive family and mediate any contact you might have with your child’s family down the road.

Whether you are pregnant or have already given birth to your baby, it is never too late to start your adoption in Maine. Call us at 800-722-7731 or text us confidentially at 617-777-0072 to learn more.

This is our State-by-State Adoption blog series.  To learn about the different areas we service, or to find the specific steps of adoption in your state, please visit adoptionswithlove.org/areas-we-service.