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Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy? You may be feeling scared and overwhelmed. One of the most important things to know as an expectant/birth parent in Indiana is that you have options. You can explore these with the help of a doctor or adoption professionals. Know that you do not have to make any big decisions alone. If you are looking for an adoption agency in Indiana, or simply looking to learn more about the Indiana adoption process, you have come to the right place.
As an expectant/birth mother, it is important to learn about your options and think about the best interests of your baby. An informed decision is the best decision you can make. To help get you started, we have compiled a short guide about placing a baby for adoption in Indiana.
Why Consider Adoption for Your Baby in Indiana
Adoption is a personal decision. It is not the right path for everyone, but it may be the right choice for you. It can bring a range of emotions, including relief, grief, and joy. As you consider this decision, you will want to spend time with the idea and learn more t about the adoption process. Here is a quick guide to help you during this decision-making moment:
Understanding Your Options: Parenting vs. Adoption
As you weigh the decision to “give baby up for adoption” in Indiana (adoption is NOT giving up) you may want to compare it with the experience of parenting.
Parenthood can be a rewarding experience, offering a lifetime of love and wonderful memories, but the amount of happiness may vary based on your financial circumstances. It is no secret that parenthood is hard. It is also expensive. According to the USDA, the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is $310,605. This does not include college tuition. If you are not in a comfortable financial situation, you may find it difficult to pay your bills. Facing this stressful experience can make parenthood difficult.
Factors to Consider When Deciding on Adoption
If you are torn between the two choices, you may want to consider the following:
- (For parenting) – How will I support my growing family?
- (For parenting) – What about childcare (and the costs) for my child?
- (For parenting) – Is my home (and life) stable enough for a growing child?
- (For adoption) – How will adoption give me a fresh start and chance to pursue my own goals and passions?
- (For adoption) – What kinds of opportunities might my child have with a different family?
- (For either parenting or adoption) – What will my child’s upbringing be like?
Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption in Indiana
While many people continue to use the term “give baby up for adoption,” it is important to know that you are not “giving up.” *In fact, adoption is the opposite of giving up. The journey to adoption is one that is full of emotional difficulties. It is not for everyone, but it is a choice that can offer plenty of rewards for birth mothers. Placing your child’s needs before your own is a brave, selfless, and thoughtful decision.
Placing a baby for adoption in Indiana is a chance to gain new opportunities for both birth mother and child. While you may feel the heartache and experience grief, you are also partaking in an incredible act of love.
Instead of saying you are “giving baby up” for adoption in Indiana, you can shift your mindset with more positive phrases that are used within the adoption community today. Terms like “placing baby for adoption” or “making an adoption plan” are more commonly used with those who have been touched by adoption. There is power in language. Keep this in mind as you navigate the adoption journey.
Indiana’s Consent to Adoption Laws
For private adoption plan in Indiana to be complete, an expectant/birth mother must give her consent to the adoption. The birth parents can meet with an attorney and sign the consent to the adoption after the baby’s birth. We usually like to wait at least 24 hours, or longer depending on the birth mother’s needs. The birth father can sign a consent to the adoption prior to the baby’s birth. Then the attorney will arrange for the birth mother to verify her consent with a judge, usually by Zoom or over the phone,
How to Place Your Baby for Adoption in Indiana
1. Find an Adoption Agency in Indiana.
As you begin to explore your options and make an adoption plan, your first step will be to choose the right adoption professional. Remember, choosing an adoption agency does not mean you must choose adoption. An adoption agency can guide you through the process and educate you about your options. There are many adoption professionals, but it is important to find someone you feel completely comfortable with – professionals you can trust. Be sure to choose an adoption agency that is fully willing to discuss your options, listen to your hopes and needs, and respect any choice that you make. Your adoption agency or its attorneys should also inform you regarding adoption laws in Indiana and provide you with the guidance you need and deserve.
2. Meet with an adoption counselor.
After choosing an adoption agency in Indiana, you should begin meeting with a licensed adoption social worker. This is an essential part of the journey. This is the person who will walk you through your pregnancy and adoption options, and who will help you make an adoption plan that is unique to you. She will also be there to answer your questions, to answer the phone whenever you call, and to help you navigate any emotions along the way. You will be given the opportunity to consider (and re-consider) your options, learn about your rights as an expectant/birth parent, and understand exactly what to expect before, during, and after the adoption process.
3. Select the adoptive family.
An important part of the process in making an adoption plan is having the opportunity to choose the perfect adoptive family for your baby. Express your wishes and vision for the ideal family to your adoption agency, and they, in turn, will send you detailed profiles and photo albums from the many families hoping to adopt. Once you have chosen the right family, you will have the option to meet or speak with them – over the phone, email, or in-person – if you would like. This is completely up to you! No matter which family you choose, your baby will be welcomed into a safe, secure, and loving home. Adoptive families that adopt a baby in Indiana must complete a home study process, which includes background checks, interviews, and a series of in-person visits to ensure the home is safe, secure, and stable.
4. Make an adoption plan.
There are three basic plans from which to choose with adoption:
Expectant/birth parents in Indiana can choose to stay connected with their child’s adoptive family after the adoption takes place. This is available through an open adoption plan. Open adoption means birth parents and adoptive parents stay in contact over the years. You define this level of contact and the frequency of contact. You may also decide you do not want any contact right away and opt for a closed adoption plan. You can always open this up down the road, with the help of your adoption counselor. Every hopeful adoptive family at Adoptions With Love agrees to at least a semi-open adoption, meaning you will have letters and photos of your child if, and when, you are ready.
5. Make a post-placement plan.
Whether you choose an open adoption, semi-adoption, or closed adoption, the trained social workers of your adoption agency will always be here for you, now and for years to come. Adoption is a lifelong journey. After placing your baby for adoption in Indiana, it is best to pursue counseling and support. The best adoption agencies in Indiana will offer ongoing, confidential counseling services at no cost to expectant/birth parents who chose adoption. This service can help you navigate your emotions, as well as any post-placement communication and relationships.
Legal Aspects of Adoption in Indiana
Understand Indiana Adoption Laws
Birth parents have their own set of rights. It is important to work with an Indiana adoption agency for the latest, most accurate information regarding adoption laws.
Placing a child for adoption in Indiana is a lengthy legal process and an emotional journey, as well. Your adoption agency can guide you through the adoption process every step of the way.
Birth Father’s Rights in Indiana
In Indiana, a birth father may consent to an adoption before birth if he:
- Puts his consent in writing
- Has his consent signed in front of a notary public
- Acknowledges that his consent is irrevocable and that he will not be notified of adoption proceedings
Your child’s birth father may or may not be required to give consent at all. Contact your adoption agency’s team of attorneys for guidance on this topic.
Role of Indiana Adoption Attorneys
Your adoption agency’s attorneys can guide you throughout the adoption process. At Adoptions With Love, the expert team of Indiana adoption attorneys can meet you at a time and place that is most convenient for you – including your home or hospital – and answer any questions you may have about the adoption plan.
What You Should Know About Giving a Baby Up for Adoption in Indiana
What are all my pregnancy options in Indiana?
As of this writing, expectant mothers in Indiana have the following choices when it comes to their pregnancy outcomes:
- Abortion
- Adoption
- Parenthood
Indiana abortion laws have been changing and are being challenged. You should check with Planned Parenthood in Indiana to learn about the current abortion laws and whether this option is available to you.
Can I get paid to place my baby for adoption in Indiana?
While you cannot receive financial compensation for your baby or adoption, you can receive financial support during the pregnancy. Adoption agencies, such as Adoptions With Love, can help you in the following areas:
- Living expenses. We can cover deposits and several months of rent, as well as utilities.
- Medical coverage. We can cover the costs of prenatal and postpartum care, and any hospital visits along the way – including labor and delivery.
- Maternity clothing. We can help you pay for maternity clothes, if needed.
Can I give a baby up for adoption after birth in Indiana?
Yes. It is never too late to make an adoption plan for your baby. An adoption professional can come to you at the hospital or birthing center or come to your home if you would like to bring the baby home and think about your decision.
What does it mean to have an open adoption?
Open adoption can look different for each family, it means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families. Whether you would like to receive letters and photos in the mail once a year, exchange emails a few times a year, or have in-person reunions occasionally, your adoption specialist can help you custom-design an open adoption plan in Indiana that works for you.
Who can help facilitate my adoption in Indiana?
Whether you just found out you are pregnant, are in your final trimester, or have already given birth to your baby, it is not too late to create an adoption plan. Contact Adoptions with Love today at 1-800-722-7731 for more information on adoption in Indiana. We work with experienced adoption attorneys in Indiana and can help support you throughout this journey.