How to Give Baby Up for Adoption in Louisiana

If you are an expectant mother in Louisiana, the first thing to know is that you are not alone. You can find support. You also have options. If you are facing this unplanned pregnancy, knowing you are not yet ready to parent, then you may be considering adoption. Adoption is a positive decision. You may be searching for information on how to “give baby up for adoption in Louisiana.” The first thing to know is: adoption is anything but giving up.

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

Why Adoption?

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, but it simply 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.

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 the Types of Adoption in Louisiana

Adoption comes with many other choices. You can choose between the following adoption plans:

• Open adoption
• Closed adoption
• Semi-open adoption

There are pros and cons for each adoption plan. Only you will know what is right for you. Your adoption professional can work with you to help you determine the right plan for you.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Why Should I Work with an Adoption Agency?

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, and other living expenses.

Work with Our Adoption Agency in Louisiana

Choosing to work with an adoption agency in Louisiana means having access to the supportive services you need. You may not have planned this pregnancy, but you can take control of the situation now and make a positive plan that will benefit you and your child. Contact Adoptions With Love any time for more information on Louisiana adoption laws or “how to give baby up for adoption in Louisiana” – but remember that adoption is not “giving up.”

Call us any time for commitment-free information at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.