10 Questions for Pregnant Mothers

Placing your child for adoption can come with a lot of questions. Having the answers to these questions is important to feeling confident in your decision. We’re here to help.

With all the moving parts of the adoption process, having questions is perfectly normal. We have answers. With over 30 years of experience, American Adoptions is dedicated to making sure you are well-informed as you make this brave and selfless decision. Many of our qualified specialists have personal adoption experience, having gone through the adoption process themselves as adoptive parents, birth parents and adoptees. 

This experience allows us to see things from your perspective. We can give you the answers you need and the support you deserve.

In the guide below, you can find answers to common adoption questions we get from expectant mothers. If you don’t see your question in this adoption FAQ, you can always call 1-800-ADOPTION or contact us online to speak with an adoption specialist who would be happy to help you.

1. Will I See My Child Again?

Yes. This is one of the most asked adoption questions we get. One of the biggest factors that keep expectant mothers on the fence when it comes to choosing adoption is whether or not they’ll be able to see their child again. Separating from your child is difficult, even if you know placing them for adoption is in their best interest. Through open adoption, you will be able to see your child again.

Open adoptions allow for you to stay in contact with your child and their adoptive family after the adoption is complete. You will be able to talk to the adoptive family and come to an agreement about what you would like this contact to look like. This contact could consist of:

• Texts

• Phone calls

• Email

• Video chat

• Photos

• In-person visits

• And whatever other forms of contact you are comfortable with

If you’re not entirely comfortable with open adoption, you can also choose a semi-open adoption. You can stay in contact with your child and the adoptive family, but the contact will be mitigated by your adoption professional on your behalf.

Open adoptions have proven to benefit everyone in the adoption triad. Being able to receive updates and photos of your baby after the adoptive family has taken them home can make the transition easier. You will still be able to play a role in your child’s life. In time, the adoptive family may even begin to see you as a member of the family. Most importantly, your child will being able to know where they came from and that you chose adoption because you wanted to give them an amazing life.

Julia, a birth mom we had the privilege of working with was grateful for her open adoption experience.

“I want to be as open as she wants to be,” Julia said. “I’m always going to be open for her and listen to her, and if she has any questions, I hope I’ll be there to answer them. But I want to fall back on her parents. I don’t think they would ever, ever not include me in her life, because they already made that known from day one.

This is just one of many frequently asked post-adoption questions we receive about open adoption. You can always call 1-800-ADOPTION or get your free adoption guide here to get answers to all of your open adoption questions today.

2. How do I Choose an Adoptive Family in Arizona?

Choosing the family is one of the many things you get to choose when it comes to creating your adoption plan. You will always be in the driver’s seat when making your adoption plan, because only you know what’s best for you and your baby. You will be able to specify all of the preferences you have when you begin your search for the perfect adoptive family. And you don’t have to do it alone.  Your adoption specialist will sit down with you to figure out what kind of adoptive family you want your child to have.

When choosing what qualities you’d like the hopeful adoptive family to have, you get to decide:

• Where you want your child to grow up

• If you want the family to already have children

• What race and ethnicity you would like the prospective adoptive family to be

• Whether or not the family is a part of a religion

• And more

When it comes to adoption questions about finding the perfect family, these are just a few things to consider when figuring out what kind of adoptive family you want for your child. Your adoption specialist will take all this information and find adoptive family profiles that match your preferences.  You’ll be able to review these profiles until you find the perfect match. Once you’ve chosen an ideal family, you’ll be able to get to know the adoptive family before the baby is born, if you’re comfortable with that.

3. Can I Change my Mind About Adoption?

This is one of the most common adoption questions we receive from expectant mothers who are anxious about choosing adoption. This is your adoption and your baby; you can change your mind at any point in the process.

Even though you can change your mind, we do suggest that you do thorough research and take as much time as you need to think your decision over so that you can be sure this is the right choice for you and your baby. If you have chosen an adoptive family and change your mind, this can be difficult for them. However, if you have decided you want to parent and feel like this is what’s best for you and your baby, you have the freedom to do so.

This is always your decision.  You can change your mind at any point in your pregnancy, even after you’ve arrived at the hospital. No matter where you’re at in the adoption process, you are always in control.

In Arizona, once your child is born you must wait at least 72 hours before you can fill out the paperwork consenting to the adoption. Arizona has no revocation period, so once you sign this paperwork, the termination of your parental rights is final. For that reason, it’s very important to make sure you are confident in your decision before signing the adoption paperwork.

4. How do I Know if I’ve Chosen the Right Family?

When you work with American Adoptions to complete your adoption, we will do everything in our power to help you find the perfect family for your child. You know what’s best for your baby, and we’ll help you find a family that embodies that. 

You’ll be able to choose the qualities you’d like to see in the family that will raise your child. You’ll even have the opportunity to get to know the potential adoptive parents before the baby is born. Check out our guide to good adoption questions to ask as you get to know the adoptive family. When it comes to choosing the right family, you’ll know when you find the rights ones, just like Frances and Matthew, a birth family we worked with.

“Rachel said, ‘Frances, you’ll know when you have picked the perfect family,’” Frances said. “When we talked to Chris and Courtney, in the middle of the conversation, I knew Chris and Courtney were the ones.”

Your adoption specialist can help you get started and even mediate contact if you need. It’s also worth noting that if you choose a family and over time realize that they might not be right for your child, you can change your mind any time before the adoption is completed.

5. How Much Does Adoption Cost in Arizona?

If you’re a prospective birth parent considering placing your baby for adoption in Arizona, adoption will not cost you a dime.

If you’re choosing adoption for your baby, there’s a chance that you are doing so because you’re not financially ready to support a child. Placing your child for adoption comes at absolutely no cost to you. American Adoptions has a financial assistance program that can help you cover living expenses and pregnancy costs. The costs you could receive financial aid for include:

• Rent

• Utilities

• Groceries

• Medical bills

• Maternity clothes

• And more

You can find out more about our financial assistance here.

6. When You Give a Baby Up for Adoption, Do You Decide a Name, or Do the Adoptive Parents?

The answer to this adoption question depends on your specific situation. You are in control of whether or not you want to name your baby. However, the adoptive family will be able to change your baby’s name on the amended birth certificate they will receive for the adoption finalization.

This is something you should consider discussing with your baby’s adoptive parents. Most adoptive parents will have no issue with you naming your baby. Perhaps you could even name the child together. If you want the adoptive parents to name your baby, this is something they can do as well.

7. How Are Adoptive Families Screened in Arizona?

Every hopeful adoptive family that American Adoptions works with goes through a thorough screening process before they are approved for adoption.  One of the ways we do this is by carrying out a home study.  These home studies are an evaluation of the hopeful adoptive family’s parental readiness through background checks, review of medical and financial documents, interviews and an in-home visit.

American Adoptions will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about any family that matches your preferences, so you can perform your own “screening process.” 

8. What is the First Step of the Adoption Process?

The first step to beginning your adoption process in Arizona is contacting an adoption specialist at American Adoptions.  Our specialists are available 24/7 to help you get started with your adoption journey and answer any questions you might have. American Adoptions is a national adoption agency which means we work with birth parents and adoptive families all over the country.  This means you’ll be able to find the perfect adoptive family in a shorter amount of time.

As a birth parent, you will receive many beneficial resources and services such as:

• Financial assistance. Adoption will always be free to you as the expectant birth parent. Throughout your pregnancy, our financial assistance will cover living expenses and pregnancy costs such as rent, utilities, groceries, medical bills, etc.

• Counseling. Adoption comes with a lot of emotions ranging from joy and relief to grief and loss. Our counselors are available to talk you through these emotions and to provide you with coping strategies.

• Open adoption opportunities. Adoption doesn’t have to be goodbye forever. You can stay in touch with your child and their adoptive family through post-placement contact. This contact could look like texts, calls, emails, photos and in-person visits.

• Control over your adoption plan. You will always be in control over your adoption plan. You get to make all your own decisions because you know what’s best for you and your baby. But you won’t have to do it alone. Your adoption specialist will be by your side to answer any questions you may have.

To get more answers to your adoption questions or to begin your adoption journey today, contact us online or call 1-800-ADOPTION.

9. If You Put a Baby Up For Adoption, Do You Have To Put Your Name On The Paper in Arizona?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions about adoption we get from expectant mothers. “If you put a baby up for adoption, is your name on the birth certificate or that of the adopting parent?”

The answer is both. As the birth mother, your name is required to go on the original birth certificate. If this concerns you because you want your adoption to remain private, some states will seal the original birth certificate after the adoption is completed.

If you’re worried that having your name on the birth certificate affects the adoption, it does not. If you’re asking, “Can you put a baby up for adoption if the dad isn’t on the birth certificate?” the answer is yes. His name is not required to be on the birth certificate, but it can be if that is what you want. This is something you might want to discuss with your adoption specialist or your attorney.

Once your child has been placed with the adoptive family and the adoption has been finalized, the adoptive parents will receive an amended birth certificate.  The amended birth certificate will list the adoptive parents’ names and will be the official birth certificate your child will use as official documentation.

10. Can I Keep My Adoption a Secret?

While it may be difficult to hide your pregnancy, you never have to tell anyone about your adoption. You will likely need to tell the baby’s birth father about your decision so that he can legally consent to the adoption to ensure a successful placement.  Otherwise, you are not legally required to tell anyone else. We do encourage that you confide in someone about your adoption so that you can build a support system for your adoption. However, you will always have the support of your adoption specialist.

“I could not have asked for a better set of people in my life,” Erika said about her adoption specialist. “They made the whole process amazing… I never went back and forth with my decision, but it was still a tough decision.  I don’t know how I would have done it without Shannon,” she added.

We’re Here for You

You should never be afraid to ask questions. Any questions are good questions about adoption. You deserve to feel confident in your decisions, and understanding the process is key to this. If this article doesn’t answer questions you might have or you need more information, our adoption specialists are available 24/7 to answer these questions. Contact us today to get the support you need throughout your adoption process.

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