Placing a Baby for Adoption at the Hospital [Or After Taking Them Home]

Because adoption is such a big decision that requires a lot of planning and research, it’s not uncommon for expectant mothers to make their decision later in their pregnancy, or even after the baby has been born.

You might be wondering “Can you ‘give a baby up’ for adoption at the hospital in Ohio?”  Of course, you can. Regardless of where you’re at in your pregnancy or even if you’ve taken your baby home, adoption is always an option for you.  Hospital adoptions and last-minute adoptions are more common than you’d think.

With over 30 years of adoption experience, we’ve worked with expectant mothers in a variety of situations. We know that placing your baby for adoption isn’t the easiest decision to make. There’s a lot to think about, and you should be able to take as much time as you need to make the right choice for yourself and your baby.

No matter when you choose to place your baby for adoption, American Adoption can help. Our adoption specialists are available 24/7 to provide you with the answers and support you need. To get started with your adoption journey, contact us online or call 1-800-ADOPTION.

Can You “Give a Baby Up” for Adoption in the Hospital in Ohio?

Every expectant parent’s situation is different, which means your adoption will be just as unique. With so much to think about, you might not feel confident in choosing adoption until you’re at the hospital.

Not only is choosing adoption at the hospital possible, but the process will be the same for you as it would be if you chose adoption sooner. The only difference with a hospital adoption in Ohio is that things might move a bit quicker so that you can place your baby for adoption before returning home. American Adoptions is here to help.

With our size and national scope, we’ve worked with expectant mothers in a variety of circumstances. We have ample experience with hospital adoptions, which is not something all adoption agencies can say.

More than that, many of our adoption specialists have been in your shoes. Because our staff includes birth parents and adoptive parents, we understand the thoughts and questions you have racing through your mind. We’ll be with you through the whole Ohio hospital adoption process to give the best support, guidance and encouragement. 

How does that process work? Here’s what you can expect, in five steps:

Step 1. Contact American Adoptions

If you’re putting your baby up for adoption after birth, American Adoptions is more than happy to help you find the perfect family for your baby. When you contact us, you will be connected with one of our compassionate adoption specialists. Your specialist will help you understand the adoption process and make sure that you have access to the resources and services you need such as financial assistance, counseling, adoption planning help and more.  To get in touch with an adoption specialist today contact us online or call 1-800-ADOPTION.

Step 2. Choose the Adoptive Family

When you work with American Adoptions, you will have complete control over your adoption plan. Your adoption plan is like a roadmap for your adoption journey. It will include all the preferences you have for your adoption process.  One of the many things you will get to decide is which hopeful adoptive family will raise your child.  You will be able to specify what qualities you’d like the prospective adoptive family to have, and your adoption specialist will find adoptive family profiles that match what you’re looking for. You’ll be able to sort through these profiles until you find the perfect match for your baby.

In the case of hospital adoptions, the adoptive family will be notified immediately after you select them. They will be prepared to travel to wherever you are to meet you and your baby.

Step 3.  Get to Know the Adoptive Family

Once you choose the adoptive family, you will have the opportunity to get to know them. Although this time will be brief if you’re giving your baby up for adoption when it’s born, you can still take advantage of open adoption. Your adoption specialist will arrange and mediate a conference call between you and the adoptive couple where you will be able to ask any questions you may have.

Step 4. Consent to the Adoption 

When “giving your baby up” at the hospital, the placement will not be official until you sign the paperwork terminating your parental rights. In Ohio, you must wait 72 hours after the baby is born before you can officially consent to the adoption. Once you’ve signed the adoption paperwork, the placement will be complete.

Step 5. Continue Post-Placement Contact

Once you’ve returned home, you will be able to stay in contact with your child and their adoptive family through open adoption. This contact could look like texts, phone calls, emails, photos and in-person visits. You’ll be able to play a role in your child’s life and they will never have to wonder about why you chose adoption.

Can you “Give your Baby Up” for Adoption After Birth in Ohio?

One of the questions we hear a lot from expectant mothers is “Can you give your baby up for adoption after birth?” 

Yes, adoption is definitely still an option for you after your baby has been born.

If your baby has already been born and you’re still contemplating your decision, keep in mind there is no rush. You can choose adoption for your baby hours and even days after they’ve been born. And American Adoptions can help.

Take it from Casey, a birth mother who worked with American Adoptions to place her 2-year-old twins for adoption.

“I don’t regret the adoption because I know it’s what was supposed to happen,” Casey said. “I was supposed to raise them for two years so they could be with their family now. If I didn’t, they would never have had the chance to be with their wonderful family and to have all the opportunities they have in their lives.”

You might have questions about how to give a baby up for adoption at birth in Ohio. Our specialists can help.

When it comes to putting your child up for adoption after birth, the process will be similar to how it would be if you’d chosen adoption before your baby was born. The steps just may be more sped up. You can contact American Adoptions at any time and one of our wonderful adoption specialists will be ready to give you the support you deserve. They will help you create an adoption plan that will detail what you would like your adoption process to look like.

You’ll be able to look through adoptive family profiles until you find the right family to raise your child. You can take as much time as you need while you search for the perfect family. The family will be notified immediately and will meet you at the hospital. You might not have as much time as you’d like to get to know the family. If they don’t feel like a good match after meeting them in person, you can always change your mind.

If you feel confident in the family you’ve chosen, you will be able to sign the adoption papers. In Ohio, you’ll need to wait 72 hours from the time your baby is born before you can officially give your consent. Once you sign the adoption paperwork, the placement is complete.

Even if you choose adoption after your baby has been born, you will still be entitled to the many resources and services we offer such as:

• Financial assistance for medical expenses. Our financial assistance program will cover all your medical expenses incurred during your hospital stay.

• Free legal expenses. We can connect you with an adoption attorney so that you can be sure you understand the adoption paperwork and ensure that your rights are protected. Our financial assistance will cover all resulting attorney fees.

• 24/7 adoption support. Adoption is an emotional time. Our adoption counselors are available to you 24/7 to help you cope with the complex emotions you may be experiencing.

• And more

Just because you are choosing to give your already born baby up for adoption does not mean that you are treated any differently from a mother who chooses adoption earlier in her pregnancy. Your comfort is of the utmost importance to us, and our professionals are available 24 hours a day. They’ll help you navigate your feelings about adoption and the future of your child so you can be confident in your decision.

Can I “Give My Baby Up” For Adoption After Taking It Home in Ohio?

Maybe you’ve already brought your baby home and you’re realizing that you’re having second thoughts about parenting. This could be a result of normal feelings of stress or even postpartum depression. It’s possible these feelings could pass with time and the right emotional support.

 If these feelings don’t seem temporary, you might be wondering “Can you put a baby up for adoption in Ohio after you take it home?” The answer is, yes. Adoption is always an option for you, even if you’re already at home with your baby. If you feel that adoption is what’s best for you and your baby, American Adoptions is more than equipped to help you.

No matter when you make the decision, adoption is a brave and loving choice. You’re giving your child the chance at having the future you’ve always dreamed for them. Even if you’ve had your child home with you for a few days, weeks and even months, we can help you begin the adoption process. The process will be the same as it would be if you’d chosen adoption earlier in your pregnancy, but you may be required to provide more information such as:

• Your baby’s birth certificate

• The father’s name on the birth certificate

• Proof of everywhere your baby’s has lived up until the present date

• Your child’s medical records

• Documentation of any child support provided by the father

• Documentation of anyone who has lent financial and emotional support to your child.

If you’re giving your baby up for adoption after birth, your adoption specialist will make sure all your bases are covered and will make sure you present all of the appropriate paperwork and documentation. With over 30 years of adoption experience as one of the nation’s leading domestic adoption agencies, we’ve helped birth parents in a variety of situations find the perfect family for their baby. In fact, many of our staff members are birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees themselves. They can offer a first-person perspective into the adoption process and provide you with empathetic support.

Even if you’re choosing adoption after you’ve brought your baby home, you will still have access to the benefits we offer such as:

• The ability to create your own adoption plan. You will be in charge every step of the way and will be able to make all your own decisions.

• You will be able to choose the adoptive family. This means you’ll be able to have peace of mind knowing what kind of family will be raising your child.

• You’ll have access to 24/7 counseling to help you through the many emotions you may be experiencing.

• The ability to stay in touch with your child. Through open adoption, you’ll be able to communicate with your child and their adoptive family through texts, calls, emails and in-person visits. This allows you to watch them thrive and for them to know that they have the love of two families.

It’s Not too Late to Choose Adoption

It’s never too late to choose adoption. We have helped thousands of birth mothers place their children with loving families, even after they’ve been caring for them at home. And we will happily do the same for you. If you’re ready to place your child for adoption or are still on the fence, get the answers and support you need online or by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

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