Unplanned pregnancies can be challenging. Depending on your situation, you may be weighing different options for your baby’s future.
If you’re considering placing your baby for adoption, it’s important to understand that you’re not “giving up” on them. Rather, you’re thinking about your baby’s future and envisioning a life for them that you may not be ready or able to provide.
This guide will walk you through the process of giving a baby up for adoption in Wisconsin. To learn more about adoption or speak with a compassionate social worker, reach out to us online or call or text 608-821-8221. We’re here to support you.
What Is the Process of Giving a Baby Up for Adoption?
Though each situation is unique, here are the five general steps of the adoption process for women facing an unplanned pregnancy:
Step 1: Decide if Adoption Is Right for You and Your Baby
Adoption is one of your options if you're facing an unplanned pregnancy. It provides a path forward if you can’t raise your child but still want to give them a bright future. Adoption can offer your baby love, security and stability while also bringing you peace of mind, knowing you made a choice with their well-being in mind.
Step 2: Create an Adoption Plan
An adoption plan is your roadmap for how the adoption will unfold. Your social worker will work with you to define details like the type of adoptive family you envision, how much contact you want during and after the adoption and preferences for your hospital stay. This process puts you in control and lets you decide the level of involvement that feels right for you.
Step 3: Pick the Perfect Adoptive Parents for Your Baby
Choosing the right family is often one of the most meaningful steps in the adoption process. Many expectant parents want to know that the family they choose will love and care for their baby just as they would. You can browse profiles of waiting families to find the right match.
Step 4: Give Birth and Complete the Legal Steps for Adoption
As you near your due date, you can make decisions about your hospital experience, such as how much you’d like to interact with the adoptive parents and who will hold the baby first. In Wisconsin, you’ll also need to file a petition to terminate your parental rights. But don’t worry — we will be right here to guide you through all of the legal paperwork.
Step 5: Move Forward After the Adoption and Build a Relationship
After giving your baby up for adoption, you may need time to heal physically and emotionally, and that’s okay. Adoption doesn’t mean goodbye forever. If you choose an open or semi-open adoption, you could maintain a relationship with your child and their adoptive parents. You could stay in touch through letters, pictures or even in-person visits, depending on what you feel comfortable with.
How Can an Agency Help With Giving Up a Baby for Adoption?
An adoption agency can be a valuable partner in your adoption journey, providing services at no cost to you. For instance, at Adoptions of Wisconsin Inc., we offer:
Adoption planning
Counseling
Potential financial support
Legal assistance
Help finding an adoptive family
And more
Our social workers are here to support you wherever you are in Wisconsin, whether you’d like to meet at our office in Madison or somewhere more convenient for you. You’re not alone in this process — we’re here to support you every step of the way.
How Does Giving a Baby Up for Adoption Work?
You can choose adoption whether you’re still pregnant, just gave birth or even if you've taken your baby home. If you’re considering giving your baby up for adoption, you’ll be in control of the process. Our adoption social workers are available to answer your questions, provide guidance and ensure that you’re comfortable with each step.
“I felt like the entire agency was there for me,” said Althea, a birth mother. “As much as their job is to pair birth mothers with adoptive parents, it felt like it was all about me. That was very clear to me from the beginning that everything was my choice.”
Does Giving a Baby Up for Adoption Cost Money?
No, there is no cost to place your baby for adoption. Deciding what to do with an unplanned pregnancy is a big choice, and you shouldn’t have to worry about financial strain during this time. Your adoption agency will ensure you can focus on what’s best for yourself and your baby.
Can You Make Money Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption?
No, it’s against the law to receive payment for giving a baby up for adoption. This helps protect everyone involved from the risks of trafficking. However, the adoptive parents you choose for your baby may be able to provide financial assistance through an adoption agency. In Wisconsin, this can include:
Counseling
Maternity clothes (up to $300)
Transportation for medical- or adoption-related appointments
Pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses
Living expenses (up to $5,000 if necessary for health)
Birthing classes
A small gift for you (up to $100)
If you’d like to learn more about what support you might be eligible for, speak with one of our adoption social workers in Wisconsin.
How Hard Is Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption?
Unplanned pregnancies are hard enough without any additional stress. The adoption process is designed to be as simple as possible, allowing you to focus on having a healthy pregnancy. Your social worker will provide you with the support and information you need at every step. While placing your baby for adoption is never easy, many birth parents will tell you that it was the best choice they could’ve made — for themselves and for their babies.
How Will I React to Giving My Baby Up for Adoption?
Giving a baby up for adoption can be emotional. You might experience grief, guilt, anger or other strong emotions throughout the adoption process. Although it can be difficult, putting your baby’s needs first is courageous and shows just how much you love them.
Did You Regret Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption?
Everyone’s experience with adoption is unique. Some parents find peace in their choice quickly, while others experience a longer grieving process. Feelings of sadness, loss or second-guessing are natural and reflect the love and thoughtfulness behind your decision.
“I really feel that choosing adoption was a positive experience,” said Mandy, a birth mother. “In hindsight, I realize that the struggle and self-doubt that came after placing him was important for me to go through because it changed me as a person. I have more confidence in myself now and I know I can do hard things because I already did one of the hardest things in my life.”
If you’re ready to move forward with adoption, we can help you create an adoption plan that fits your needs. Contact us today for personalized support, or browse profiles of potential adoptive families for your baby.
