With a thorough adoption hospital plan, your adoption hospital experience can go more smoothly. To get started on your adoption plan today, reach out to be connected with an adoption specialist.

We know that you put so much into preparing and planning your adoption and how you want your experience to go. We also understand that it can be overwhelming to know how to prepare for your time in the hospital.

In order to help you through this time, we’ve created this comprehensive guide with all the information you need to help you get ready for your adoption at the hospital.

Whether you’re a prospective birth mother considering placing your child for adoption at birth in the hospital or an adoptive family wanting to know what to expect at the hospital, we’ve got you covered.

Adoption 101: What to Expect at the Hospital When “Giving a Baby Up” for Adoption

The time you spend in the hospital can be stressful for any new mother.

If you’re a new mother who’s considering adoption, especially, you’ll find a number of different worries to think about.

By working with an adoption specialist early on in your adoption journey, they will help you create a hospital plan and walk you through all options for adoption in the hospital.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the more common questions that expectant mothers often have about the hospital adoption process:

• If you are giving your baby up for adoption, do you have to give it a name before it leaves the hospital? No, you don’t have to give your baby a name before they leave the hospital, but you can if it’s something you prefer to do. If the adoptive parents opt to name the baby themselves, you can put this name on the original birth certificate. Just know that you are under no obligation to do so if you feel uncomfortable with it, so you can choose a different name for the birth certificate.
• If you want to give your baby up for adoption, can you change your mind in the hospital? Yes, you can change your mind about adoption, even if you’ve already given birth at the hospital. However, you can only change your mind about adoption as long as the adoption has not been made final by the court. Make sure to talk with your adoption specialist if you start to feel this way.
• When you give a baby up for adoption, do you take them home from the hospital? When you choose to play your baby for adoption, the adoptive family you’ve chosen for your baby will meet you at the hospital. You won’t have to worry about taking your baby home from the hospital.
• If you give your baby up for adoption, how long do you have to stay in the hospital? When you create your hospital plan, you’ll make decisions on if you want any time alone with your baby, who you want with you in the hospital, and more. How long you stay in the hospital is up to you.

Adoption 101: What to Expect at the Hospital for Adoptive Parents

We know – you’re super excited to finally meet your baby. But it’s OK if you’re feeling unsure about what to expect when you get to the hospital.

Here are some answers to some of the most common questions adoptive parents like you have:

• When should I get ready to travel? You will receive a call from your adoption specialist once the prospective birth mother goes into labor. That will give you the go-ahead to start traveling to the hospital, which you should do shortly after you get the call.
• Is it better to fly or drive? What’s most important during this time is getting to the hospital as soon as possible. It can help to plan your trip ahead of time so you can determine which is quicker.
• What happens when my adoption is in another state? You should be prepared to have some waiting to do before you can go home if your adoption is in another state. ICPC will usually say it’s okay to head home about 7-10 days after the hospital adoption, or longer, depending on the state you are in.
• How long does a mother who gives her baby up for adoption usually stay in the hospital after the baby is born? When a birth mother creates her hospital plan, she will decide how long she stays in the hospital by choosing whether she wants to spend any time alone with her baby after the birth, or even any time with you. That decision is completely up to her, but oftentimes, she doesn’t want to stay long, if at all, once she has clearance from the doctor.

More Questions About Child Adoption from Hospitals

Like most people, you’ll likely have a lot of questions about the process for child adoption from hospitals.

To make things easier, here are some general questions about what prospective birth parents and future adoptive families need to know ahead of traveling to the hospital.

Where Does the Baby Stay in the Hospital During the Adoption Process?

Every adoption is different, so this will all depend on what the birth mother listed in her hospital adoption paperwork and her comfort level. She does have the option of having the baby in her room throughout her hospital stay, which means the adoptive family will likely be able to spend time with her and the baby in her room.

If the birth mother doesn’t want contact, she may prefer the adoptive parents to spend time with the baby in the nursery or a separate room. Hospitals can give adoptive families their own room, so this may be an option for you if this is the case in your situation.

It’s important to remember that situations can and do change, even at the hospital. Until the adoption is completely final, the birth mother does have the right to change her mind. That could be about her level of contact with the adoptive parents and/or the baby. Adoptive families need to be flexible and patient just in case there is a change in plans.

What Should I Bring With Me for the Hospital Adoption?

Last-minute packing can be such a hassle, especially when you have a newborn baby on the way. Your list will look a little different, depending on whether you are a prospective birth mother or an adoptive family.

We’ve included important items that you should try to include in your hospital bag:

Birth Mothers

When you’re packing for your stay for the birth and adoption at the hospital, you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable. Some must-have items to consider adding to your hospital checklist include:

• Comfortable clothing
• Your ID and insurance information
• A copy of your birth plan to give to hospital staff (your adoption specialist can help with this)
• Toiletries
• Slippers or socks
• A robe
• Hair ties
• A book or tablet for something to do to occupy the time

It’s also important to make sure you have everything you need ready to go at a moment’s notice before your adoption hospital experience. Babies tend to arrive when they are ready, and not so much when you are.

Adoptive Families

As an adoptive family, you need to be prepared for your adoption hospital experience for yourself and your new little one.

To make planning easier, here are some must-haves to consider bringing with you:

• A bag or backpack with lots of space
• Some outfits for the baby
• A car seat
• Diapers and wipes
• A couple blankets
• Bottles
• A camera
• A baby wrap or carrier

What Does the Last-Minute Adoption Hospital Experience Look Like?

Compared to other adoptions, a last-minute or same-day hospital adoption will look different. First, the process will go faster for you if you are considering placing your baby for adoption when you arrive at the hospital or have already given birth.

You should contact an adoption professional for your first step. If you don’t know an adoption professional, hospital staff can assist and call one of their contacts.

Once you get connected with an adoption professional, they’ll help you put together an adoption plan. This is where you will choose an adoptive family and figure out if you want any kind of relationship with them and your child later on in life.

You’ll look through adoptive family profiles to find a family for your child. Once you’ve found one you like, the adoption professional will contact them and have them travel to you as quickly as possible. You can start the process of placing your baby with their adoptive family once they arrive at the hospital.

Get Help Preparing for Adoption at the Hospital Today

The adoption hospital experience is unique for every birth parent and every adoptive parent. There’s a great deal to know and prepare for, but with the right help, you can navigate the adoption process easier.

If you have any questions about adoption and what to expect at the hospital, you can speak with one of our adoption specialists. Contact us online today to get more information.