Printer Friendly

Pregnant? Start Here

Birthfathers and Adoption

image

Be a Part of Your Child’s Future

Did you know that birthfathers can be part of the adoption process?

In today’s adoptions, birthfathers are encouraged to participate, even if they are not in a permanent relationship with the birthmother. Planned adoptions are designed for the best possible outcome for the child, and can include arrangements for contact between you and your child through the years to come.
Adoption is a good decision for some – one that isn’t made lightly – and we will always treat you with dignity and respect.

You have help along the way

We believe that having a true understanding about today’s adoptions will help you and the birthmother to make the best choice for you and for your child. A compassionate team of counselors is here to support you and the birthmother each step of the way.

You may be able to assist the birthmother in choosing the adoptive home for your child from our carefully screened and approved families. We encourage openness in adoption, but you can make a plan that works for you. You can sign a separate agreement and have a different amount of contact with your child than the birthmother. You can also choose to have no contact.

You can have peace of mind

We have been placing children in adoptive homes for more than 120 years. You can take comfort in knowing that you, the birthmother, and your child will be cared for by experienced and compassionate counselors.

  • All adoptive families are qualified and fully screened
  • Your privacy and the information you share with us will be respected
  • We understand adoption law and will make a safe and legal placement

You can stay connected

Our staff is here to help facilitate contact with the adoptive family for years to come. Post-adoption services include:

  • Letter and picture exchanges
  • Contact with the adoptive family
  • Arrangements for family visits.

Even if you are no longer in a relationship with the birthmother, you may be able to have contact with your child and the adoptive family.

Making an Adoption Plan

You may be wondering what is included in making an adoption plan. First, you and the birthmother will meet with a counselor to talk about the pregnancy options. If you wish, you may also meet separately with a counselor. You and the birthmother may choose to involve any of the important people in your lives.
If you decide to make an adoption plan, you will give your counselor some background information and you will discuss what is most important to you in choosing an adoptive family. You can also talk with her about your likes and dislikes and any other information you feel is important for her to know. As the pregnancy progresses, your counselor will provide you with adoptive family profiles. You may assist the birthmother in choosing the family that you feel is the best match. Here are some of our current waiting families.

A few weeks before the birth, the birthmother will make a hospital plan with the counselor. This will outline her wishes and desires surrounding the birth. You and the birthmother will decide the amount of openness, or contact with the adoptive family. There are different levels of openness. You and the birthmother may choose to have different amounts of openness. You, the birthmother, and the adoptive family will determine the amounts of openness that work best for everyone involved.

It may help to hear about other birth and adoptive family experiences. Click on the stories below for more information.