Birth Mother Rights After an Adoption in Missouri
By Jacob LaBau
As a birth mother in Missouri, understanding your rights after adoption can be daunting and confusing. In addition, the birth of a child and pregnancy struggles can be stressful. Here at Adoption Choices of Missouri, our job is to make the adoption process as smooth as possible. Whether connecting an adoptive family to the birth mother or informing the birth mother about her rights after adoption, we are here for you 24/7!
Understanding your rights as a birth mother after an adoption is vital and healthy towards seeing your child grow. It is a step in the right direction for you and your child’s future. Navigate your way through adoption agencies in Missouri for more information about adoption and what adoption agency you would like to pursue. The birth mother’s rights after adoption can be vague. Throughout this article, there will be some clarification on visitation, financial help, legal assistance, and medical help. If you are pregnant and considering adoption, try not let your anxiety get you. Check out adoption agencies near me to better understand the resources around you and how we can help you create an adoption plan.
Birth Mothers’ Rights
It can be tough to give a baby up for adoption as a mother. But you are in control the entire time. You oversee the adoption process every step of the way. As a birth mother, you will always have the final say. This means choosing the adoptive family, how much or how little contact you want with them, and what hospital you would like to stay at. If you are pregnant and are considering adoption, check out adoption agencies near me for more information.
Choosing an adoptive family to become the parents of your child usually happens months before the child’s arrival. When a child is born, paperwork needs to be done before the adoptive family becomes the child’s legal guardians. As a birth mother, you can change your mind throughout the process up until you have signed your legal consent. Birth mothers change their minds, and that is okay. This is a big decision that requires a lot of mental fortitude throughout a stressful situation! If you are inspired to put your baby up for adoption, head on to your local adoption agency and see for yourself!
Missouri Adoption Services
At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we can support you in several ways during the adoption process. We can help you financially, legally, and medically and provide counseling. Once the baby is given to the adoptive family, the help does not stop. We will do our best to accommodate anything that is asked of us!
If eligible, Adoption Choices of Missouri can cover your living expenses during the adoption plan when it comes to financial assistance. These include rent and utilities, food and groceries, phone service, maternity clothes, etc. The living expenses that we cover are not terminated after you leave the hospital either; we are not evil! However, we understand that it will take some time to get back into your pre-pregnancy routine and be with you every step of the way!
Adoption services come at no cost for the birth parents, including legal support. An Adoption Choices of Missouri in-house legal counsel will be with you every step. They will ensure that your adoption’s legal processes, paperwork, and finalization are all in the works. Throughout this process, they will relay all the important information to you. Seek further advice from a legal professional.
Medical help will be given to you during and after your pregnancy. We will help you find prenatal care, take you to appointments, and help you stay comfortable throughout and after your pregnancy. This also includes free counseling sessions. If you feel stressed out or just need someone to talk to, we can arrange counseling sessions for you as soon as possible. We understand that this is a lot to take in. If you have any questions, contact your adoption specialist. You can also call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or call or text us at 816-527-9800.
Post-Placement Communication
As a birth mother, you may be wondering how much you will get to see or communicate with the child. It is important to understand what post-placement communication plans are available before agreeing to one with the adoptive family. You can choose from three options: open, semi-open, and closed adoption. Each one of the options has its strengths and weaknesses depending on what you are looking for post-placement. If you are scared as a birth mother that an adoptive family may want to seek a closed adoption, stop worrying! Many adoptive families prefer some level of openness. Here are some details about the different adoption types:
Open adoption
Open adoption means that the birth parents and adoptive parents share their first and last names, medical history, and personal contact information. This option allows for steadier communication. Even though you will not get to raise the child, you are still right there with them on the journey! You and the adoptive family can specify the exact number of times you get to visit the child. The adoptive family can also opt to send pictures to you, depending on the agreement set forth.
Semi-open adoption
A semi-open adoption is a great plan for a birth mother who wants contact with the child but has little contact with the family. In this plan, you and the adoptive parent share non-identifying information such as first names and where they live. The information will be held by your local adoption agency, where we act as an intermediary between you and the adoptive family. This plan is perfect for a birth mother looking to maintain contact with the child but not with the adoptive family.
Closed adoption
A closed adoption means that you and the adoptive parents do not share any information. The adoptee can open their adoption records to find out about their birth parents after they turn 18. Closed adoptions are increasingly rare, but they could be the right fit for you, depending on your wants and needs.
Get in Touch with Us Today
Hopefully, you now understand your rights and services after the adoption has been finalized. Feel free to navigate through our website at Adoption Choices of Missouri for any further questions. We are here for you 24/7 to make the journey through adoption feel as comfortable as possible!
Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800