Adoption: A Loving Option

The decision to place a child for adoption is never an easy one, but many people find that it is the best choice for the child. Like the decision to parent a child, it takes courage and much love to decide to place a child for adoption.

Talking with someone at a licensed adoption agency or with a lawyer who specializes in adoption may help you figure out if adoption is in the best interest of you and your baby. They can tell you more about the actual adoption process, but just because you talk to them does not mean you're promising to place your child for adoption. You can get information from agencies and lawyers without making that plan. It's just another way to collect information so that you can make a well-informed decision.

Two Types of Adoption

Closed adoption is an adoption in which all identifying information about the birth parents is sealed in agency and court records. Non-identifying information such as physical characteristics and medical history may be provided to both parties. In a closed adoption, there is no interaction of any kind between the birthmother and the prospective adoptive families.
Open adoption is an adoption in which there is contact and exchange of identifying information between birth and adoptive families. Open adoption allows birth parents to maintain a connection with a child after placement in an adoptive family. It offers a range of options, and there is no single open arrangement that is right for everyone because everyone's situation is unique. It is important to note that even in an open adoption, adoptive parents have full parental rights and make all decisions in regard to the child's care.

Once finalized, all types are permanent and will shape the relationship you will have with your child forever. The adoptive parents will raise your child and have full legal rights as the child's parents, but you will have a great deal of choice in selecting the parents or family for your child whether you go through an adoption agency or a lawyer. The information on this website is designed to help you as you make this difficult decision. There are plenty of public and private organizations available to answer any questions you have about adoption.

Adoption FAQs

Will my baby think I abandoned him/her?

Adoption is heroic. Adoption is a loving, hopeful option for your baby and if you choose, you can have a role in picking your child’s adoptive family. Adoption is not “giving away” or “giving up” your baby, it is you making the best parenting decision for your child.

If I pursue adoption, will my child end up in the foster care system?

No. Private adoption is not the same as foster care. The foster care system is for children who need temporary care because of abuse or neglect in their birth family. It also involves a decision on the part of the state and is not a voluntary decision on the part of the mom. Your child will not go into foster care if you place your child for adoption.

Will I ever see my baby again if I choose adoption?

You are able to pick the type of adoption you want. It is up to you whether to stay in touch with your child and adopted family, or to have complete confidentiality.

An open adoption allows for some contact with your child and the adoptive family. According to a recent study, over 95% of adoptions today have some level of openness with contact taking many forms and varying in frequency. An adoption professional can work with you and your adoptive family to develop a plan for how often this information can be exchanged. This can include texts, pictures, letters, gifts and visits. Open adoption can have many benefits, both for you and your child, including your child having a better sense of identity in knowing more about their birth family. Talk to an adoption agency to learn more.

If you don’t want any information to be exchanged, you can choose a closed adoption (see below).

What if a “no contact” relationship with my child after the adoption is best for me?

That is fine. In some situations, it may be best for birth mothers to have complete confidentiality and no contact with their child or the adoptive parents. This does not mean that the birth mother does not love or care for the child. She has already given the child the great gift of life! If this is your situation, you can pursue a closed adoption arrangement with your adoption agency.

Why do birth moms choose adoption?

Yes. Birth moms love their children and want to provide their baby with the best care. Here are some reasons why birth mothers choose adoption.

She isn’t ready to be a mom.
She can’t financially afford a child.
She doesn’t have the support of her family or community to raise a child.
She wants her baby to be raised by two parents but doesn’t have a good relationship with her baby’s father.
She wants to finish her educational or vocational goals before having a baby.

Is open adoption a healthy choice for my child?

Open adoption is the most common type of adoption in our country and studies show it is the most rewarding. In fact, in 95% of all adoptions in the United States, birth parents share some information with their children.

Are most birth mother’s teenagers?

No. Most birth mothers are in their twenties and parenting other children.

Your Rights as a Birth Mother

When considering an adoption plan for your child, parents have many rights that should always be fully communicated and respected at all times throughout the adoption consideration and placement process.

As birth parents considering adoption you have the right to:

Be fully informed, make an independent decision and freely explore your options
Professional counseling
A safe, ethical and legal adoption process
Your preferred level of continued communication if an adoption plan is made
Involvement in choosing your baby’s adoptive parents
You have the right to have medical bills paid during your pregnancy and delivery, and if you are pregnant and uninsured you are likely covered by Medicaid

The Women's Right to Know law allows adoptive parents to pay costs of prenatal care, childbirth and newborn care.

Adoption and Birth Fathers

It is important to consider the role of your baby’s birth father in the process of adoption to avoid difficult issues that could come up later. Generally, the baby’s father should know and consent to the adoption plan. This is not always possible and you will want to discuss your particular situation with an adoption counselor or attorney.

The Adoption Process

It is normal to have questions about the adoption process. In Louisiana, you can choose if you want an adoption agency to work with you on your adoption plan or if you want to pursue an independent adoption by an adoption lawyer. Women sometimes choose adoption agencies because they want more assistance than what an attorney can give such as counseling prior to and after the adoption. Oftentimes, agencies provide more support than an adoption attorney. If you are looking for an adoption agency, make sure you find one that is licensed in the state of Louisiana. Click here to see a full list of adoption agencies.

After the initial step of reaching out to an agency or attorney, you will likely meet with an adoption counselor who will provide you with your options, explain the process of relinquishing parental rights if you choose an adoption plan, and collect information about you and your baby’s father.

Here are some questions to have ready for your meeting with an adoption agency or adoption attorney:

What services do you offer and are there any fees? These services are typically offered at no cost to you.
- Who pays these fees?
How do you find adoptive parents? What types of preparation do they receive?
What type of screening do the adoptive parents undergo?
Can I receive ongoing information about my child or have direct contact after placement?
Describe to me the role I will have in selecting the adoptive parents.

Adoption Resources

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services - Adoption
Information includes the assessment of families who apply to adopt, matching available children with available homes, preparing children for placement, and providing services to adoptive children and families before, during, and after placement is made to include provisions of adoption subsidy services to eligible families.
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services - Adoption Navigator
Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services - Child Welfare
Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services - Safe Haven - Safe Haven provides a safe, legal, last resort to abandonment.

Parenting Resources

If you decide to parent, there are resources available to help you and your baby have the best medical care as well as emotional support after the baby is born. It is normal for some women to feel overwhelmed after having a child, especially if they have unmet financial needs. Visit the websites listed to find out if you qualify for low-cost baby items, nutritional assistance or simply need more resources for your parenting journey.