[Adoption is Not Giving Up]
Giving a Baby Up for Adoption is Not Giving Up
Thinking about “giving a baby up for adoption” is never easy. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in Tennessee, that may be one of the options you are considering. You may be Googling the term “give my baby up for adoption Tennessee.” The first thing to know about adoption is that it is anything but “giving up.” Making an adoption plan for your child is an incredibly brave, thoughtful, and selfless decision. It means you are placing the needs of your baby above your own.
Reasons for Giving a Baby Up for Adoption
The idea of making an adoption plan for your baby can be overwhelming. Tennessee adoption agencies can be a great resource for you and help make the adoption proceed smoothly. Expectant/Birth mothers decide to place their babies for adoption for many reasons:
Personal Circumstances
You may not be able to raise a child right now. Whether you are a teenager, a young professional just starting your career, or you have been struggling financially for years – you may not be able to provide a home and life of opportunity for a child. You may struggle with your mental health or have other personal struggles that would make parenthood challenging. These are valid reasons for choosing to “give a baby up for adoption” in Tennessee (remember: It is not giving up.)
Benefits for the Child
Choosing adoption offers many benefits for the child. Adopted children are more likely to be read to, sung to and told stories each night. These children are placed with families that are healthy – physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Adopted children are placed in homes that are full of love and opportunity. This is ensured by the Home Study – the screening process in which Tennessee adoption agencies determine whether an adoptive family can raise a child. Children in open adoptions are more likely to know their origin story and grow up knowing they are loved by two families, not just one.
Support for Birth Mothers
Choosing adoption in Tennessee means having access to supportive services that will help you throughout – and after – the adoption process. Adoptions With Love, for example, offers expectant/birth parents choosing adoption financial assistance, legal support, counseling services – before and after the adoption is complete – and guidance every step of the way.
Types of Adoption Available in Tennessee
Open Adoption
Open adoption looks different for every family, it means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families. As an expectant/birth mother in Tennessee, you can choose the adoptive family and custom design an adoption plan that meets your needs. This may involve email updates throughout the year, or social media messages occasionally. For some birth and adoptive families, in-person reunions are planned. The form and frequency of communication can be determined by you, and your adoption agency will help you build a plan that makes you feel comfortable with – and confident in – your adoption decision.
Semi-Open Adoption
Semi-open adoption falls in between an open and closed adoption. A semi-open adoption often involves less direct communication. You may still choose your child’s adoptive family but only have communication that goes between your adoption agency as the liaison. The choices are yours and should be made to help you feel at ease with your child’s adoption plan.
Closed Adoption
A closed adoption, as it sounds, is completely closed off from communication. There is no personal information shared between birth and adoptive parents, and there is never any contact between the two parties. This is a less common type of adoption plan today, but it is one that may be right for you. It can offer privacy for birth parents. Adoptions With Love keeps photos and letters on file for the birth parents who choose closed adoption in case they decide to open the adoption later.
Private Adoption
Private adoption is a domestic adoption of a child with a private adoption agency or attorney. Adoptions With Love is a non-profit, full-service private adoption agency that has been helping birth mothers in Tennessee since 1986.
Learn More About Tennessee Adoption
Steps to Place Your Baby for Adoption in Tennessee
1. Learn about all your options and discuss them with an adoption counselor.
Meeting with an adoption professional does not mean you must choose adoption. A full-service adoption agency, such as Adoptions With Love, can offer you educational, unbiased information about each of your options in Tennessee:
- Parenthood
- Adoption
- Termination
You can weigh the pros and cons of each and make the decision for yourself which is best for you. If you wish to choose adoption…
2. Choose an adoption agency in Tennessee.
The first real step to “give a baby up for adoption” in Tennessee is to choose the adoption agency. It is important to find an adoption professional because that ensures your adoption is handled legally and safely. Choosing a Tennessee adoption agency also ensures that your health and well-being are prioritized.
3. Learn about the different adoption plans offered in Tennessee.
You will also want to learn about the different types of adoption plans from which you may choose. There are three basic types of adoption plans:
- Open
- Semi-open
- Closed
Most adoptions today are open adoptions, meaning there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families. This can look different for every family. Some birth parents choose to stay connected via email, video chats, or phone calls. Some may bond at the time of birth and choose to have in-person reunions. The form and the frequency are up to the birth mother. Your adoption professional can sit with you and help you decide on the plan that will best meet your needs.
4. Choose an adoptive family for your baby.
As an expectant/birth parent, you have the power to choose an adoptive family for your baby. After listening to your wishes and vision of the perfect family, your adoption professional will send you detailed photo albums and personal profiles of the waiting families that best meet your needs. Once you choose a family, you can speak to them through email, phone, or meet them in-person. This is up to you.
5. Understand Tennessee’s adoption laws.
Adoption laws can be complex and vary by state. This is why it is important to have an adoption agency who can offer you free legal support. In Tennessee, for example, no parent can sign legal adoption documents until 72 hours ( 3 days) after the baby is born. This gives birth mothers time to spend with their babies and think about their choice. Adoption is a lifelong decision. That is why, at Adoptions With Love, we want you to be completely certain you are making the best possible choice for you and your child. Adoptions With Love has a Tennessee adoption attorney team who can oversee every legal step of the adoption process. They will also meet with you to ensure you understand all your rights. They can meet you at a time and place that is most convenient for you – even if that means visiting you in the hospital or at your home.
6. Create a hospital plan.
As the expectant/birth mother, you have the right to choose how you would like your birth experience to go. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Who do I want in the room with me when I am delivering?
- Will I want to hold my baby first? Or the adoptive parents?
- Should I plan to have alone time with the baby?
These are just a few examples of the considerations to make when writing up a hospital plan. Your adoption professional can help guide you and work with you to create a plan that makes you most comfortable.
7. Create a post-adoption plan.
You will also have the option to establish a plan for ongoing contact with your child’s adoptive family, following the adoption. Remember: The form and frequency of contact is completely up to you. Whether you choose an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or closed adoption plan, you can find – and custom design – a plan that will work for you and make you feel confident about your decision.
Choosing the Right Adoption Agency
Questions to Ask Potential Agencies
- What type of supportive services do you offer?
- How much contact will I have with your staff?
- Are you a full-service adoption agency?
- How do you screen your adoptive families?
- What happens after the adoption is complete?
Evaluating Agency Reputation and Experience
The first place to start, when searching for a Tennessee adoption agency, is with the website. You can get a feel for how an organization operates by the effort put into its website. You should also be able to read testimonials of the birth parents who have worked with the adoption agency. You can also check Google for reviews. Check to see how long the organization has been in operation.
Emotional Considerations
Adoption is an emotional journey. Before you make any decisions regarding your unplanned pregnancy, it is important to speak with an adoption counselor. This trained and experienced professional can give you an idea of what experience lies ahead and prepare you for the adoption journey.
Financial Considerations
Pregnancy and birth can create a stressful financial situation – particularly for those who are unprepared for the experience. Raising a child from birth to age 18 costs – on average – $310,605. This can present a long and challenging journey for anyone not ready for parenthood. At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents receive financial assistance, as needed, for a range of living expenses – including rent, utilities, phone bills, transportation, food, and even maternity clothes, as needed.
Legal Considerations for Adoption in Tennessee
Parental Rights and Consent
It is important to understand your rights as a birth parent. According to Tennessee adoption laws, a birth mother can sign consent for adoption no sooner than 72 hours ( 3 days) after the child’s birth. Adoption laws vary by state and can be quite complex. It is important to work with a Tennessee adoption agency that can provide you with legal assistance. Your adoption attorney can provide you with all the information you need regarding your rights and the adoption process and can answer any questions you may have along the way.
Speak With a Tennessee Adoption Professional
Tennessee Adoption Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose the adoptive family for my baby? Yes. At Adoptions With Love, you can browse the adoptive family profiles available before making your decision. You may also speak with – or meet – an adoptive family before making your decision.
What if I need support after the adoption? Your adoption agency should provide you with ongoing support over the years. At Adoptions With Love, we encourage birth mothers to continue counseling services after the adoption is complete. We provide these services for free for up to one year following the adoption. We maintain contact with women that place their baby for adoption as long as she wants, whenever she wants.
Is adoption free for birth mothers? Yes. There are never any fees for adoption for expectant/birth parents. With the right Tennessee adoption agency, you can receive financial, legal, and emotional support during this challenging time in your life.
What are the types of adoption I can choose from when giving my baby up for adoption? You can choose between an open, semi-open, and closed adoption. Your adoption professional can help you determine the right plan for you and your baby.
What if I am in labor or have already had my baby? Is it too late to give up my baby for Adoption? It is never too late to make an adoption plan for your child. Adoptions With Love can send a professional to your hospital room – or your home, if you have already given birth – to help you create an adoption plan.
How and When can Birth Parents consent to adoption in Tennessee? According to Tennessee adoption laws, a birth mother must wait until 72 hours ( 3 days) after the baby is born before signing consent.
Creating an Adoption Plan in Tennessee
Adoption is an emotional journey, but it is also a positive choice. If you are not yet ready to parent, and you do not want to – or cannot – choose termination, then adoption is also an option. You can give your child a life that is better than the one you are able to provide at this time. You can ensure their life is full of love, stability, and opportunity. With the choice of open adoption, you can be a part of that life, as well. If you decide to stay connected with your child’s adoptive family, then you are keeping the door open for a relationship in the future. Adoption does not have to mean “goodbye forever.” It certainly does not have to be the end of anything. It is, in fact, the start of an incredible, lifelong journey.
If you are ready to meet with a professional and discuss how to “give a baby up for adoption” in Tennessee, contact Adoptions With Love today. Call us at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or email us. We can help guide you every step of the way.