When you’re pregnant and you plan on placing your baby for adoption, you may be worried about what happens if you haven’t chosen an adoptive family for your baby in time for his or her birth.
You’re placing your baby for adoption because you love your child, you’re worried for him or her, and you want them to have the best life imaginable. We understand that the welfare of your baby is your top concern. Many women in your shoes have questions about what happens to a baby after her or she is placed for adoption through a private infant adoption agency: “What if I don’t have a family picked out? Will my baby still be adopted? Would my baby have to go into foster care?”
Below, we’ll answer those questions and more.
Understanding the Difference Between Foster Care and Private Adoption Agencies
Rest assured: Unlike foster care, your baby will always be adopted when you place him or her through a private infant adoption agency. There are hundreds of waiting adoptive parents who are standing by in the hopes of being chosen by you. They’ll be ready to welcome your baby the minute you’ve chosen them.
Private infant adoptions are very different from foster care. In foster care, a child is involuntarily removed from their home, and they may wait months or even years to be reunited with their biological family or placed with a permanent adoptive family. In private infant adoption, however, a baby is voluntarily placed directly into a permanent adoptive family by his or her birth parents. That child never enters foster care. They are placed directly into the arms of their “forever family.”
Even if you give birth and you still haven’t chosen an adoptive family, your private infant adoption agency can help you select the waiting family you feel is right for your baby. An adoption professional can help you find the perfect family, Regardless of the circumstances, your child’s needs, how far along you are in your pregnancy (or even if you’ve already given birth), there is a family who is ready to meet your child.
Start browsing online profiles of waiting adoptive parents here — one of them may be just the family you’ve been looking for!
Your Questions About Finding Adoptive Parents for Your Baby
If you’re worried about your baby entering foster care, or about not having an adoptive family lined up by the time your baby arrives, the answers to these common questions may help give you some peace of mind:
“Can you ‘give your child up’ for adoption even if a family doesn’t want to adopt it at the moment?”
If you’d been matched with a family and they’ve accepted your adoption opportunity, it’s rare (and sometimes not an option) for them to back out. However, if the family you were hoping to match with is no longer available, there are always more waiting adoptive families who desperately want to adopt a child. Simply contact a private infant adoption agency, and they can connect you with an excited adoptive family almost immediately.
“Can parents give children for adoption before someone wants them?”
Some pregnant women worry that they need to have an adoptive family picked out before contacting an adoption agency. But, you can contact a private infant adoption agency at any time during your pregnancy (or even after you’ve given birth) and they’ll be able to find a permanent adoptive family for your child immediately. You always have the ability to choose your child’s adoptive family through a private infant adoption agency. Your baby is very much wanted! Regardless of the situation, many waiting adoptive parents would give anything for the chance to be your baby’s parent.
“What happens if I don’t find an adoptive family by the time my son’s born?”
One of the most common worries of women placing a baby for adoption is, “What if I don’t have an adoptive family picked when I give birth?” It’s OK if you don’t have a family picked out by the time your baby is born. You’ll still be able to choose a waiting adoptive family through your adoption agency, even if you’re in the hospital and recovering from childbirth. They can have that family by your side in a matter of hours. There’s always still time to choose adoption.
“What happens if nobody adopts my baby?”
Unlike children in foster care, the babies who are placed for adoption through a private infant adoption agency are always adopted. In fact, they’re usually adopted within minutes or hours of their birth. We know you’re worried about your baby. But, even if you don’t have an adoptive family picked out yet, your child will be adopted by a loving, permanent family.
“Are babies that are given up for adoption always adopted?”
It’s a common fear: Putting a child up for adoption, but nobody would adopt them. You may be worrying that, if you place your baby for adoption, he or she might not be adopted. Women often ask, “How many kids given up for adoption actually get adopted?” When a baby is placed for adoption through a private infant adoption agency, the baby is always adopted. In fact, they are usually placed directly into their permanent adoptive family by their birth parents. Even if the birth parents haven’t selected an adoptive family before the baby’s birth, an adoptive family will be notified and arrive to take care of the baby as quickly as possible.
Again: Unlike children in foster care, the babies who are placed for adoption through a private infant adoption agency are always adopted, and they’re usually adopted within hours of their birth.
“Do children given up for adoption get placed into a family right away, or does the birth mom have to keep the baby until a family is found?”
Children who are placed for adoption through a private infant adoption agency are always placed directly into their permanent adoptive family. Even if the adoptive family lives in another state, they can be there to assume custody of the baby in a matter of hours, so the birth parents don’t have to worry about taking the baby home before an adoptive family is found.
“If I give my baby up for adoption, do they go to foster care?”
No. Foster care handles children who have been involuntarily removed from their homes. Private infant adoption agencies handle adoptions where a pregnant woman makes a plan to voluntarily relinquish her baby, and that baby is immediately placed into his or her “forever family.” When you contact a private adoption agency, your baby never goes into foster care.
“If I don’t have an adoptive family lined up, can my baby go to foster care if I can’t take care of him/her right now?”
Not having an adoptive family selected usually isn’t a problem, as long as you’re in the process of working with an adoption agency. When you contact a private adoption agency, they can have an adoptive family there to assume custody of your child as quickly as possible, so your child doesn’t have to enter foster care. However, you’ll need to contact an agency or attorney for more information based on your specific situation.
“If I give a kid up for adoption, will they be in foster care until the adoptive family comes?”
No. In private infant adoptions, the baby is placed directly into their permanent family. Most of the time, the adoptive family is able to arrive and assume custody of the baby within a matter of hours, even if they live in another state. By contacting a private adoption agency, your baby will not have to enter foster care. They’ll be placed directly into their “forever family,” which you still have time to choose!
Start browsing profiles of waiting adoptive families here, or contact an adoption agency now. They’ll be able to help you find the right family for your baby, no matter what.