How to Place Your Baby for Adoption in Louisiana

Placing a baby for adoption is a deeply personal and emotional decision that requires careful consideration and support. In Louisiana, the adoption process is designed to ensure the best interests of both the expectant/birth parents and the child.

Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or have already decided on adoption, understanding the steps involved can provide clarity and peace of mind. This guide will walk you through the process of “giving your baby up for adoption” * in Louisiana, from choosing the right adoption agency to finalizing the adoption plan. By familiarizing yourself with the legal requirements and available resources, you can make informed decisions that align with your wishes and provide a loving future for your child.

Adoption is a brave, selfless act of love. You are considering your child’s needs and are thinking about a way to offer them a life full of opportunities that you are unable to provide at this time.

Why Adoption in Louisiana?

Adoption offers benefits for everyone involved in the adoption triad. Expectant/birth mothers who choose adoption take comfort in the fact that they can choose their child’s adoptive family. They also feel more confident in their decision once they set the parameters for an open adoption plan. Open adoption looks different for every family, it means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families after the adoption is complete.

This open adoption arrangement benefits the adopted child, as well. Children who grow up in an open adoption report feeling happy about their arrangement. They have a better sense of self-identity because they are given the information they long for regarding their biological family. They also grow up knowing they are loved by two families instead of one.

Birth parents also take comfort in knowing their child is safe, healthy, and well cared for while they can pursue their own personal and professional goals. Whether you are not in the right financial situation, your home life is unstable, or you are not yet ready to become a parent for emotional and/or mental health reasons, adoption can be the solution. You can be a great parent by offering your child a wonderful life they otherwise would not know.

Types of Adoption in Louisiana

Open Adoption

Quickly becoming the most common choice, open adoption means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive parents after the adoption is complete. The form and frequency of contact may vary. You, as the birth mother, may choose how you would like to stay connected with your child’s adoptive family. You can also choose how frequently this contact occurs. You may decide to communicate via text messaging or email once a month, or you would like an in-person reunion once a year. This will depend upon your comfort level and relationship with the adoptive family. The choices are yours and your adoption agency can help you figure out the plan that best meets your needs.

Closed Adoption

With a closed adoption, there is no communication or information shared between birth and adoptive parents. This may appeal to birth mothers looking for privacy and anonymity. There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to choosing an adoption plan. Adoptions With Love keeps photos and letters on file, should a birth parent decide to open the adoption later.

Semi-Open Adoption

A semi-open adoption can be a blend between open and closed adoption. You may choose to select your child’s adoptive parents, and even speak with them before the baby is born. Once the adoption is complete, you may decide that you do not wish to stay connected; or you may feel more comfortable keeping communication strictly through the adoption agency. Your decisions will be respected, no matter what type of adoption plan you choose.

Legal Requirements for Adoption in Louisiana

Parental Rights and Responsibilities

Your adoption agency can help you navigate your rights as a birth mother. They can also answer any questions you may have regarding the birth father’s rights. Louisiana has a putative father registry. The circumstances vary, depending upon your relationship with the birth father and his status and acknowledgment as birth father. It is best to speak with your adoption professional for more guidance on this topic. Once adoption consent forms are signed, a birth parent no longer has any parental rights over the child. Visitations and continued contact with the adoptive parents do not give birth parents any parental rights. It is important to remember that your child’s adoptive parents are their legal parents once the adoption is finalized.

Legal Representation and Counseling

The best adoption agencies in Louisiana provide birth mothers with an adoption attorney who can oversee their adoption. Adoptions With Love, for example, works with a team of Louisiana adoption attorneys who are well-versed in Louisiana adoption laws. These experienced professionals will meet you – at the time and place that is most convenient for you – and walk you through the adoption process. They will also answer any questions you may have along the way.

Finding an Adoption Agency in Louisiana

Choosing the Right Louisiana Adoption Agency

As you consider your decision to “give your baby up for adoption” in Louisiana (remember: It is NOT giving up), you will also want to consider the adoption agency. Finding the best Louisiana adoption agency is like finding the perfect sweater. It must be the right fit and feel comfortable. The best agency will offer supportive services – at no cost to you – and make you feel respected and loved. You will be working closely with this agency. You will need to feel like your opinions, feelings, health, and well-being are a priority.

How to Give My Baby Up for Adoption in Louisiana

1. Find a Licensed Adoption Agency

This is the first, and perhaps most important step, of the adoption process. It is important to find a Louisiana adoption agency with whom you can trust. You should look for an adoption agency that:

Is fully licensed
Can offer you free, supportive services
Will make you feel comfortable, respected, and heard
Has experienced and a solid reputation

2. Understand Louisiana’s Adoption Laws

Adoption laws can be complex and vary among states. It is important to work with a fully licensed adoption agency that can provide you with an adoption attorney team. These professionals are experienced with Louisiana adoption laws and can help you make informed decisions. In Louisiana, a birth mother must wait until three days after baby’s birth before consenting to the adoption. This gives you some time to consider your choice before making it final. Adoptions With Love encourages expectant/birth mothers to take all the time they need. It is never too late to make an adoption plan.

3. Make an Adoption Plan

Once you have determined the type of adoption plan you would like to have, you can work on the details of this plan with your adoption specialist. You can choose the adoptive family for your baby and – if you choose to meet them before the adoption – create the details of this adoption plan in more detail. Some expectant/birth mothers decide they would rather text or chat on the phone with their child’s adoptive family once they meet them, or they decide to have in-person reunions. Some birth and adoptive families form lifelong relationships, built on the love for this one special child.

You can also create your hospital plan. This will detail how you want your hospital experience to go, such as:

Who will be in the delivery room with you?
Who will hold the baby first?
Do you want time alone with the baby?
Are your child’s adoptive parents welcome in your recovery room?

The best Louisiana adoption agencies will offer you ongoing supportive services. Adoption is a life-changing experience. It does not end once the paperwork is signed. At Adoptions With Love, we will offer continued support.

4. Select the Adoptive Family

One of the benefits of choosing adoption for your baby is having the right to choose their adoptive parents. You can browse the many prospective adoptive family profiles of those who have been pre-screened for adoption. These profiles contain photos, letters, and stories that share an inside look into the type of family – and life – your child may have. You can speak with the family, or meet them in person, before making your decision.

Making a Hospital and Birth Plan

Coordinating with Hospital Staff

Your adoption agency can help ensure that your needs are met at the hospital during the birthing experience. Consider the following to determine your ideal birthing experience:

Would you like the adoptive parents in the delivery room?
Who do you want to hold the baby first?
Will you want some time alone with the baby after birth?

Preparing for Delivery Day

Your adoption agency counselor can help you prepare for the delivery day. They can guide you as you consider your needs and wishes and can help you write up a birth plan if you wish.

Post Adoption Considerations

Rights to Post-Adoption Contact

Once a post-adoption contact agreement (PACA) has been signed, it is a legal document that must be upheld. Of course, this agreement can evolve to accommodate the changing needs of a growing child. Your adoption agency can help you with any changes that need to be made to better fit your – and your child’s – wishes.

Navigating Emotional Adjustments

Making the decision to “give a baby up for adoption” in Louisiana is a life-changing experience. It is also one that brings a mix of emotions. Many birth mothers experience a sense of loss and grief during and after the adoption process. This is a normal part of the grief process that gets better over time. There is also plenty of joy in the adoption decision, as it offers birth mothers the chance to see their child grow up in a healthy, happy, and stable home full of love and opportunities. Navigating these emotions can be complicated, so it is important to continue counseling services after the adoption is complete.

Long-Term Support and Counseling

Adoption is a life-long decision. The emotional impact does not end once the adoption consent is signed. Building a supportive network and continuing professional counseling is important for a birth mother’s mental and emotional health.

Why Should I Work with an Adoption Agency in Louisiana?

It is important to work with a Louisiana adoption agency to ensure that your child’s adoption is smooth, safe, and legal. There are many benefits for expectant/birth mothers that choose to work with a reputable adoption agency like Adoptions With Love. Having an experienced, full-service private adoption agency working for you means getting the care and the supportive services you need. Expectant/birth mothers who choose adoption in Louisiana never pay for anything related to the adoption. You can, in fact, get financial support during this challenging time in your life.

At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth mothers who choose adoption get the following free services:

Housing assistance. We can cover a deposit and several months of rent.
Other living expenses, such as utilities, phone bills, and maternity clothes, as needed.
Legal support. Our team of experienced attorneys specializes in Louisiana adoption laws and will keep you informed.
Counseling services, from our compassionate professionals, before and after the adoption is complete.
Medical care. We can help you find a doctor or midwife and cover all uninsured medical bills related to the pregnancy, birth, and recovery.
Ongoing contact. We can help you design an adoption plan that best meets your needs and continue to work with you as you build you relationship with your child’s adoptive parents (if you choose open adoption)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who must consent to the adoption?

The birth mother must consent to the adoption. The birth father may need to sign consent, as well, but this is typically handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact your adoption agency’s attorneys for the most precise legal information.

When can birth parents consent to the adoption?

A birth mother must wait until at least three days after giving birth before signing consent forms. This gives you a chance to meet your baby and consider your decision one last time.

Can you take back a baby you put up for adoption?

Once the three-day period after birth has passed, and a birth mother has signed consent forms, the court will not revoke the adoption. This is why adoption professionals encourage birth mothers to take all the time they need before signing the paperwork. It is never too late to make an adoption plan.

Can birth mothers get paid for adoption in Louisiana?

While you cannot accept financial compensation for your adoption, you can get financial assistance on things like housing, medical coverage, groceries and other living expenses.