How to Give Your Baby Up for Adoption in Tennessee

[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 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 Up a Baby 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 make the adoption process a smooth one.

One of the common concerns among expectant/birth parents is the safety of the baby. At Adoptions With Love, every prospective adoptive family must complete a Home Study. This several month-long process involves thorough screenings and background checks, multiple home visits and interviews with everyone in the household. There is a complete examination of medical and financial records. This ensures that every child is placed in a safe, stable, and healthy home.

As one birth mother whom worked with Adoptions With Love explained:

“I didn’t raise my daughter because I was not the best mother for her. I wasn’t prepared. I wanted her to have the best life, and I was not the best option for that. I chose adoption for her.

“I didn’t give my baby to strangers. I spent hours reading stories of parents who would love my daughter, found a family that felt right, and personally placed my daughter into her mother’s arms. You don’t give a baby away. She’s not a gift or an object. She is the most important person in my world.”

How to Give My Baby Up 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 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 (about 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 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 birthing 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption

Will the process of adoption for my baby cost me anything? No, 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 (about 3 days) after the baby is born before signing consent.

Make the Best for Your Baby

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 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.