“Giving up” your baby for adoption in Ohio is a brave and generous choice.

There are many factors to consider when making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy, and the primary reason women decide to place a baby in adoption is that it can open up opportunities for both the child and birth mother. It is a difficult decision, but you are not alone in it. This guide will answer many of your questions, like:

• How do I go about giving my baby up for adoption in Ohio?
• What should I expect when I choose adoption for my baby?
• Do I get to choose a family for my baby?

Keep reading to find the answers you need, and contact us online if you would like to be connected with a helpful adoption professional.

Finding Support for “Giving Up” Your Baby for Adoption in Ohio

There are also many adoption professionals who are ready to come alongside you in this journey, help you to make the decisions that are right in your particular situation, and walk you through the steps of adoption, if that is your choice.

The two types of agencies you will have the option of working with are national or local. National agencies have a wider reach and can offer you more adoption opportunities, but the benefit of local agencies is that they are familiar with your area and can sometimes offer a more intimate experience.

National agencies that serve Ohio birth mothers include:

• American Adoptions
• Gladney Center for Adoption
• Beacon House Adoptions

Local agencies that serve Ohio birth mothers include:

• Adoption by Gentle Care
• Building Blocks Adoption Service, Inc.
• Adoption Circle
• Adoption Link

How to Put Your Baby Up for Adoption in Ohio [5 Steps to Placing Baby for Adoption]

The process for putting a baby up for adoption in Ohio is similar to other states, but there are always state-specific guidelines to consider. Therefore, it is imperative to work with an agency (either local or national) that is licensed in Ohio, has a good track record, and who have adoption specialists available to you whenever you need them. 

The five basic steps when putting your baby up for adoption in Ohio are:

1. Decide that Adoption Is the Right Choice for You
2. Develop an Adoption Plan
3. Select an Adoptive Family
4. Prepare for Placement
5. Adjust to Life After Adoption

Step 1 – Decide that Adoption Is the Right Choice for You

For many women, adoption is a rewarding option when they are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, but it is not the only choice available. In Ohio, you can decide which of the following choices are most appropriate for you:

1. Parenting
2. Abortion
3. Adoption

You do not have to make this decision alone, and you should not feel obligated to choose adoption just because you reach out to a professional. They are there to guide you to the choice that serves you best. If this means placing your child up for adoption, they will guide you through that process. If not, they will point you in the direction of some other helpful resources.

As a start, here are some ways that you can reach out for some support:

• Contact birth mother specialists who have been in your position
• Call a confidential, 24/7 hotline, like 1-800-ADOPTION
• Read birth mother testimonials
• Find unplanned pregnancy counseling

When you contact an adoption professional, your information will always be kept confidential, and they will work on your behalf during this difficult time in your life.

Step 2 – Develop an Adoption Plan [You are in Control of Your Adoption]

Once you decide to place your baby up for adoption in Ohio, you will work with an adoption specialist to create an adoption plan. This document will outline your many choices and preferences that will determine the way that your adoption plays out. You are central to the adoption process, and it is important that your needs are respected and honored.  If you do not feel heard by an adoption specialist, this might be a warning that you are not working with the right adoption agency.

Your adoption plan is like a blueprint of your adoption and will communicate to your adoption specialist and potential adoptive parents what you want during the Ohio adoption process. Vital components of your adoption plan will be:

• The type of family/life you would like for your child
• Mode and frequency of communication with adoptive parents
• A hospital plan that details your labor and delivery preferences and your choices regarding contact with your baby and adoptive family during your hospital stay
• Your choice between open adoption, semi-open adoption, or closed adoption

Your adoption plan can change throughout the adoption process. As you become more comfortable with your decision to “give up your baby for adoption,” and as you begin to share your choice with family and friends, your mind might change about some of these options. This is fine. Your adoption plan is not legally binding, and you have full parental rights until you sign your adoption paperwork.

Step 3 – Select an Adoptive Family [Placing Your Baby for Adoption in the Perfect Home]

It bears repeating that you are the one who is in control of your Ohio adoption. One of the most important decisions you will get to make in the process of putting your baby up for adoption in Ohio is choosing the family who will adopt and raise your baby. Thousands of families around the country are hoping for the opportunity to adopt, and you will soon get the opportunity to choose the one that is right for your child.

Your adoption specialist will compare your needs outlined in your adoption plan and compare them to the preferences of hopeful adoptive families in their network. Based on this, they will give you access to the family profiles that they think will be a good fit.

Profiles could include:

• Pictures
• Description of the family personality and lifestyle
• Video interviews
• Reasons couple wants to adopt
• Couple’s dreams for an adoptive child

When a family stands out as one you would like to meet, you will contact your adoption specialist and they will facilitate your first contact with the family. This will often be a phone conversation that is mediated by your adoption specialist, and it will set you on the course toward placing your baby for adoption in Ohio.

We have partnered with a national adoption agency to give you access to information about families wanting to adopt.  If you would like to browse family profiles now, you can click here to see their profiles.

Step 4 – Prepare for Placement

There is no predetermined way to spend the time between choosing a family to adopt your baby and signing your Ohio adoption paperwork. You can continue contact with the adoptive family through email, phone conversations, video chats, or even in-person visits. This depends on your comfort level and desires during this time.

You will have some conversations with your adoption specialist about what to expect during the hospital stay. They will help you develop a hospital plan that will serve as communication to the adoptive parents and healthcare providers about what you want during that time. You will want to consider some of the following questions:

• Would you like the adoptive family in the delivery room with you? 
• Which friends and family do you want to visit you in the hospital? 
• Do you want some alone time with your baby? 
• Do you want to take pictures with your baby or with the adoptive family? 
• Do you want to leave the hospital with your baby and the adoptive family? 

In Ohio, a mother must wait 72 hours before signing adoption paperwork. The act of signing this paperwork indicates voluntary and legal consent to the adoption. Once the adoptive family takes parental rights over, a birth mother cannot change her mind. In Ohio, consent is irrevocable when putting a child up for adoption.

Step 5 – Adjust to Life After Adoption [Post-Placement Support is Available to You]

Most mothers who place their baby up for adoption in Ohio report experiencing certain emotions that come up after adoption. There is a process of healing for most that is important to honor and anticipate so that you can reach out to the support that is available to you. You are not alone after your adoption is complete; adoption professionals and resources are available to help you through this time of ups and downs.

When you have a post-adoption agreement in place with your baby’s adoptive parents, this can often help in your healing. Just to know what to expect and that you will be able to have the role in your baby’s life that you want can allow a birth mother to manage their grief. After a period of adjustment, many women report that they are able to reevaluate their life goals and begin living with a new sense of freedom and opportunity. 

If you would like more information about how to put a baby up for adoption in Ohio or need help as you consider this option, contact us today to be connected with an adoption professional who can advise you. They will guide you in the direction that is best for you and will help you determine your next steps. You are not alone in this decision, nor will you be alone if you choose to place your baby up for adoption.  

You Are Never “Giving Up” Your Baby

Common language around adoption refers to a birth mother “giving up” her baby, but it is important to note that placing your baby up for adoption is never “giving up.” If you make the choice to begin your adoption journey, you will not be “giving your baby away,” but placing your child into a safe and loving home with a couple who has the deep desire to grow their family.

As stated before, “giving up” a baby for adoption in Ohio is not a decision that is made lightly, so referring to it in this way is just not accurate. Birth mothers pursue adoption because they love their child and want to provide them with the best life possible. 

Your decision to pursue adoption is a selfless act of love. Keep reading to learn more about how this process could work for you.