How Does Adoption for Your Baby Work? A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption for your baby, you may have many questions. You may be wondering how the process works, whether you can choose the family, what happens at the hospital, and what your rights are. You do not have to make every decision today.  

Adoption is a step-by-step process. Support is available to help you create a plan that feels right for you.  

Talk to an Adoption Attorney 

The attorneys at Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C. (sometimes misspelled as “Kirsch & Kirsch” or “Krish & Krish”) bring more than 110 years of combined experience in handling adoptions in Indiana and across the country. Since 1981, the firm has completed more adoptions than most adoption law firms and adoption agencies in the country. It is widely recognized as one of Indiana’s most trusted adoption law firms. 

Create Your Adoption Plan 

Every adoption plan is different. You can talk about what you want your adoption experience to look like. This may include your preferences for the adoptive family, your hospital experience, and communication with the family after placement.  

Choose an Adoptive Family 

You may have the opportunity to choose the family who will adopt your baby. You can learn about families who are hoping to adopt and decide what qualities are important to you. Your attorney can help you review family profiles and understand your options. You should never feel pressured to choose a family you are not comfortable with. 

Make a Hospital Plan 

Before your baby is born, you can make a plan for your hospital stay. You can talk about things such as: 

• Who do you want with you at the hospital? 

• Whether you want to spend time with your baby? 

• Whether you want the adoptive family at the hospital? 

• How do you want to communicate with the adoptive family? 

• What will help you feel supported? 

Your plan can also change if your needs or feelings change. 

Get Counseling and Support 

Adoption can bring different emotions. You do not have to go through them alone. Counseling can give you a safe place to talk about your feelings, ask questions, and prepare for placement. Support can also continue after placement. Ongoing counseling may help you work through your feelings and adjust to life after adoption. 

Move Forward After Placement 

After placement, you may continue to receive support and, depending on your adoption plan and applicable law, maintain some form of contact or receive updates about your child. There is no single way to feel after an adoption. You may experience many emotions, and that is normal. Having support can make this transition easier. 

Is Adoption Free for Birth Mothers? 

At Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., our adoption services are 100% free to birth mothers. Depending on your situation and applicable law, pregnancy-related financial assistance may also be available. 

Call 317-575-5555, text 800-333-5736, message us on Facebook Messenger, or email us anytime. 

Positive adoption language Disclaimer:  

Please understand that these blogs are written in a way to use language that people use when searching for help with their adoption plans. Unfortunately, while all of us understand what positive adoption language means, most expectant moms who come to us at first do not understand what that means. The most common search term on the Internet for pregnant moms is “How do I give up my baby for adoption.” If we do not include those words in our blog posts and instead put “How do I create an adoption plan for my baby,” our website will not appear in most expectant moms’ search results in Google.