Childbirth can be an emotionally and physically demanding time for a woman — especially a woman who is going through this process as the result of an unplanned pregnancy. It’s completely normal to be overwhelmed at this point; you are bringing a brand-new life into the world after nine months of preparing for this moment.
It’s more common than you may know for women to choose adoption in the hospital. Whether because a woman chooses adoption early in her pregnancy and created an adoption hospital plan, or because she has given birth and decided that she is not ready to be a parent, placing a child for adoption from the hospital is always an option. It is never too late to choose adoption, and the Nelson Law Firm is here to help.
Our adoption attorneys stand ready to help you complete your Iowa adoption process in the hospital, whatever your individual situation may be. Attorney Ken Nelson can always explain the legal process of adoption to you and guide you through the act of signing your adoption consent. Whether you have just given birth or you are considering adoption while pregnant, we encourage you to contact our law firm at 319-291-6161 for more information about adoption in Iowa.
In the meantime, find out more about the adoption process in the hospital below to help you prepare.
Create Your Adoption Hospital Plan
If you are pregnant and are considering adoption, you will have the advantage of being able to create a hospital birth plan for your adoption. This hospital adoption plan will detail every aspect of your delivery process viewed through the lens of a prospective birth mother — that is, how your adoption will affect the decisions you’ll make as an expectant mother in the hospital.
Hospital birth plans for adoption inform a prospective birth mother, the adoptive family, the adoption professional and hospital staff of exactly what is expected during the delivery process. By creating this plan ahead of time, you can better ensure that your rights and preferences are addressed during your hospital stay. Therefore, you can focus on the birth of your baby and the accompanying emotions, as well as making the best decision for you both post-delivery.
When you give a baby up for adoption at the hospital in Iowa, you will get to decide:
- Which hospital you wish to deliver your baby at
- Who will be in the delivery room with you
- Who will be involved in your childbirth process (family and friends, your children, etc.)
- If you will spend time with your child after birth — alone, with the adoptive family or both
- Who will hold your child first
- If you will be admitted to the hospital confidentially
- Whether you prefer a more natural or medicated delivery
- How long you want to spend with the adoptive family during this process
- If you want pictures of yourself and the baby
- When you want to leave the hospital
- When you want to sign your adoption consent
- And more
Every prospective birth mother’s hospital adoption plan will be different. You can start creating your adoption hospital birth plan as early in your pregnancy as you want. You may consider reaching out to a local adoption agency for guidance and counseling through this process. Our legal team can always provide you with references to free local professionals to help you create this adoption hospital plan, or you can work with one of our team members, too.
How to Give a Baby Up for Adoption in the Hospital in Iowa
Sometimes, women do not have the opportunity to create an adoption hospital birth plan prior to their delivery process. They may have originally decided to parent but change their mind once their child is born, they may have delivered their child earlier than planned, or they may have unexpectedly given birth. If this is your situation, know this: It is never too late to place your child for adoption, even if you have already given birth.
You may be overwhelmed about how to give a baby up for adoption in the hospital. The process can seem expedited and confusing, but know that the adoption professionals at the Nelson Law Firm can always answer your questions and guide you through the steps. Here’s what you can expect:
Step 1: Contact an adoption professional, such as a local adoption agency or our law firm. These professionals will come to you in the hospital to help you get started.
Step 2: Your adoption professional will describe the process of adoption to you and answer any questions you have. You are never obligated to choose adoption until you are confident it is right for you, and your professional will provide the information you need to choose the best path for you.
Step 3: You will determine what kind of adoptive parents you want for your child, and your adoption professional will present you with some waiting parents’ profiles to choose from. Whichever adoptive parents you choose will be ready to meet you at your hospital room in a matter of hours.
Step 4: You will meet the adoptive parents and confirm your adoption decision. You will have the chance to speak with the parents about future post-placement contact communication and more.
Step 5: You will sign your adoption consent with the assistance of your adoption attorney. This document cannot be signed until at least 72 hours after your child is born, so it will be up to you where and when you sign this document. Your child will then be placed with the adoptive parents and your post-adoption journey will begin.
Whatever your situation — whether you need to make an adoption hospital birth plan in Iowa or you have given birth and are looking to complete an adoption in the hospital — our professionals are here to help. For answers to your questions and the best legal guidance moving forward, don’t hesitate to contact our adoption professionals today.