Adopting an unborn baby can lead to a rewarding life for both you and your new child.
Many couples who would like to cannot have babies, either because of infertility, diseases or because the couple happens to be of the same sex. When adopting a child, there are many factors to consider, such as whether to adopt within the country, whether to keep the adoption open and whether to adopt an older child or an infant. It is important to note than those who plan to adopt within the United States must be U.S. citizens.
Instructions
1. Contact a local adoption agency (see Resources). Adopting an unborn baby is typically done domestically because many foreign adoptions are a result of child abandonment and can take a few years to go through. Private adoptions, which are defined as adoptions between family members, friends or those who have located each other through other means (such as the newspaper or the Internet) are allowed in the United States. If you decide to adopt privately, it is important to contact an attorney who specializes in adoption in order to continue with the adoption. Be aware of your state's laws concerning private/independent adoptions.
2. Discuss your options with your adoption agency. Use this time to speak to a social worker about pregnant women who would like to give their babies up for adoption, the financial and psychological realities of adoption, legal procedures and whether you would like to have an open adoption arrangement with the family. An open adoption means that your child will have contact with his birth mother, although this may be limited or stipulated by a legal agreement.
3. Meet with pregnant women, if possible. Some agencies will allow this and some will not; however, open adoptions are becoming more common. If you are going through an agency, speak with your case worker about the possibility of speaking to pregnant women who have chosen to give up their babies and are currently living in group homes or shelters for expectant mothers.
4. Be prepared to undergo a home study and counseling sessions with a case worker. These will be necessary in order to legally adopt your new child.
5. Discuss with both your case worker and the mother-to-be (if you have a relationship with her) whether you will be present at the time of the child's birth. If you are not planning to be present, have a clear understanding about when the child will be officially given to you.
6. Participate willingly with post-birth home studies, as required by U.S. law. Your case worker will typically evaluate your living situation again after the baby is "handed over." You will then go to court, where a judge will review your case and decide if adoption is suitable at that time. If it is favorable, he will issue an "adoption decree," which will allow the child to legally be yours. The child's birth certificate will be changed to reflect your name at this time. The procedure is similar from state to state, but it is possible that some portions will vary. Discuss the procedure with your attorney beforehand so you know exactly what to expect. Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway website for more information on state-by-state procedures.
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