How to Give a Baby Up for Adoption in New Hampshire

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy in New Hampshire? You may feel like your world has been rocked. Life has thrown you a curve ball, and you have an important decision to make. It may be one of the hardest decisions you will ever make. If you are thinking about adoption, then you may be asking yourself how to give a baby up for adoption in New Hampshire. Before making any decisions, you may want to contact an adoption agency to discuss all your options, which include:

• Parenthood
• Abortion
• Adoption

There is no right or wrong choice here. You must choose an option that you feel is best for you. The right New Hampshire adoption agency will support any decision you may, free of judgment, pressure, or criticism. A reputable agency, such as Adoptions With Love, can help you. If you need help placing your baby for adoption in New Hampshire, know that you can always call 800-722-7731 for more information and guidance. The counselors at Adoptions With Love and  our trusted New Hampshire adoption partners can help you explore your options, understand the adoption laws in your area, and make an adoption plan that is tailored to your needs.

In this short guide, we will cover what to know before you give your baby for adoption in New Hampshire.

Decide Whether Adoption is Right for You

The term “give baby up for adoption” is a dated one. As anyone touched by adoption could tell you, it is not an accurate description of adoptions today. Adoption is anything BUT giving up. Making an adoption plan for your child is a positive choice that can bring you both a bright future.

Most adoptions today are open adoptions, meaning there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families after the adoption is complete. Thanks to open adoption, most adopted children report feeling happy about their family arrangement. They have a strong sense of identity and grow up knowing they are loved by two families instead of one.

At the start of the adoption journey, you will likely have many questions. You may be asking yourself:

• Are there any fees to give baby up for adoption in New Hampshire?
• Can I choose my child’s adoptive family?
• Does my baby’s birth father need to consent to the adoption?
• Can I have contact with my child after the adoption is complete?
• And more

These are all important questions to ask before you make an adoption plan for your baby in New Hampshire. The best place to turn for answers is a reputable adoption agency. This is also the first step to take when making a New Hampshire adoption plan.

It is important to choose the right adoption professional to guide you through this unexpected journey. There are many New Hampshire adoption agencies that can help you, but it is important to find one you truly trust that will discuss all your options with you, listen to your wishes, and respect any choice you make. Choose an adoption agency that will never pressure you, but rather stand by your side and support you as you make this important decision. The right agency will also be licensed and willing to provide the financial, emotional, and physical assistance you need and deserve – both now and after the adoption takes place.

Consider What You Want Your Adoption to Look Like

Adoption does not have to mean goodbye. As an open adoption agency in New Hampshire, Adoptions With Love gives you the option to establish ongoing and open communication with your child’s adoptive family. This means you can stay connected with your child’s family and see how he or she has grown. This contact looks different for every adoptive family. The form and frequency are up to you. You may want to stay connected through:

• Emails
• Phone conversations
• Letters and pictures
• In person meetings with the Adoptive Family

These choices are only yours to make. Whether you choose an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or closed adoption plan, our trained social workers will help you consider all your options for post-adoption contact.

If you choose to place your baby for adoption in New Hampshire, your adoption specialist will encourage you to continue with counseling services. Adoption is a lifelong and emotional journey. This is why reputable New Hampshire adoption agencies, like Adoptions With Love, offer ongoing, confidential counseling services. These services are available at no cost to you. You should feel supported as you navigate your emotions throughout the adoption journey.

What Kind of Adoptive Parents Do You Wish for Your Child?

You want your child to be raised in a warm, loving, and healthy home. Making the decision to place your baby for adoption in New Hampshire is never an easy one, but it is one that comes from a place of love. You want to give your child a better life than the one you can provide now. Chances are you already have an idea of the kind of adoptive parents you want for your child. At an open adoption agency in New Hampshire, like Adoptions With Love, you have the power to choose the adoptive family. You can browse the profiles of prospective adoptive families who are ready to adopt a child.

As you consider potential adoptive families to adopt your baby in New Hampshire, the process will look like the following:

• Discuss what you envision for your child with your adoption specialist.
• Your adoption agency will present you with the profiles that best match your description and arrange a phone call and/or meeting with any families you want to get to know.
• You can have phone calls and even in-person meetings with these prospective adoptive parents before making your decision.
• You may choose to continue to build a relationship with the adoptive family you have chosen for your child.

No matter what family you choose, rest assured your baby will be placed in a loving, safe and secure home. At Adoptions With Love, all potential adoptive families are thoroughly screened through a series of personal interviews and background checks. They have also undergone an extensive home study process to ensure the safety and stability of their home.

Make a Hospital Plan that Meets Your Needs

As an expectant/birth mother, you may be thinking about your baby’s birth. As you consider the decision to make an adoption plan in New Hampshire, you will also want to consider making a hospital plan. This plan outlines how you would like the birthing experience to go. Think about the following:

• Who do I want in the labor and delivery room with me?
• Do I want the adoptive parents there when the baby is born?
• Who should hold the baby first?
• After giving birth, will I want special time alone with the baby?

In New Hampshire, no parent can sign legal adoption documents until at least 72 hours after the baby is born. This will give you time to rest, think about your decision, and spend time with your baby (if you would like) before finalizing an adoption plan.

It is important to work with an experienced adoption agency that has attorneys specifically trained in your state. Adoptions With Love, for example,  compassionate and knowledgeable adoption attorneys who understand the laws of adoption in New Hampshire. These attorneys can meet you – wherever you are – to help walk you through the legal process. Legal services are always free for birth mothers. In fact, there is never any cost for expectant or birth parent services at Adoptions With Love.

Contact a New Hampshire Adoption Agency Today

Whether you just found out you are pregnant, are in your final trimester, or have already given birth to your baby, it is never too late to give baby up for adoption in New Hampshire (remember: It is NOT giving up!) Making an adoption plan for your child is a positive, loving decision. Contact Adoptions With Love toll-free at 1-800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online for more information. We can help guide you through the adoption journey every step of the way.

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.