Pregnant women considering adoption frequently asked questions

• What does it mean to have my baby adopted?
• When do I have to decide?
• Choosing a new family for my child
• How quickly will my baby be adopted?
• What if I change my mind?
• What happens in the future?
• How can I find out more?

What does it mean to have my baby adopted?

If you decide to have your baby adopted, you will complete your pregnancy and let someone else raise your baby. An Adoption Order transfers the parental legal rights from you to the adopters. You can change your mind right up until the Adoption Order hearing. Once the adoption has been made official (usually a few months after the birth), then you will no longer have any legal rights over the child or be their official parent.

Adoption can be a very positive choice for many people because it enables birth parents to choose the kind of upbringing their child will have even if they're not in a position to provide this themselves. However, it is an irreversible, life-changing decision. We will give you all the support you need to decide whether or not it is right for you.

[Back to top]

When do I have to decide?

Adoption is a major decision and you should take your time thinking about adoption is the right choice for you and your baby. You don't even have to decide during your pregnancy, as after the baby is born we can arrange for them to live with foster carers for a while. However, it is in the baby's best interests to move in with their long-term family as soon as possible, whether that is with you or their new adoptive family.

If you are considering adoption, we will arrange for you to meet an experienced Social Worker who will spend time with you discussing what adoption will mean to you and answering any questions you may have.

[Back to top]

Choosing a new family for my child

Before we start looking for new adoptive parents, we will consider whether your baby could be raised by a member of your extended family. If this is not possible then we will find a new family for them.

We would appreciate your input on the type of family your child will grow up in. You may want them to have a particular religious or cultural upbringing, or certain qualities may be important to you. Although we can't promise that the new family will fit your wishes exactly, we will take your requests into account wherever possible.

We will give you information on a number of families who want to adopt a baby, giving you the chance to contribute to choosing the best possible family. Once a family has been chosen, you can even write to or meet them if you wish. We want you to be confident that your baby is being given the best possible chance in life.

[Back to top]

How quickly will my baby be adopted?

Even if the adoption has already been arranged, your baby will not be adopted immediately after their birth. You will decide how and when you wish to be parted from your child. It is usual for your baby to live with foster carers for a little while. This gives you the opportunity to visit them and make sure you still want to go ahead with the adoption.

If you still wish to go ahead, your baby will move in with their prospective adopters. The adoption will not become official until an Adoption Order is granted by the court at least three months after this, but could be longer in some cases.

[Back to top]

What if I change my mind?

If you change your mind while your baby is living with foster carers and has not yet moved in with their prospective adopters, then they can usually be returned to you immediately. If you change your mind in the first three months after your baby has moved in with their prospective adopters and the adopters have made the application to adopt the child, the court will need to be informed why and will decide whether to return your baby to you. After an Adoption Order has been granted, you will no longer be the baby's official parent and the decision cannot be reversed.

[Back to top]

What happens in the future?

We advise all adoptive parents to raise children knowing they are adopted. Your child will be given a 'Life Story' book telling them all about you so they understand where they came from and why you were unable to raise them. You will be encouraged to contribute to this.

We will work with you and the adoptive parents to come to an agreement about the level of contact you will have with the child after the adoption, if any. You could choose to exchange letters and photos once or twice a year through the confidential 'Letterbox' service that we operate, just to keep informed about how your child is doing. You could even get to know the adoptive parents and have face-to-face contact with them and the child, usually once or twice a year.

When the child is 18 they will be able to obtain their birth certificate and adoption records and can choose to trace you if they want. However, this should not be as traumatic as it was in the past because of the openness that we recommend throughout the child's upbringing.

[Back to top]

How can I find out more?

As you can see, adoption today is very different to adoption in the past and full of choices for you. We can provide you with all the support you need before and after the adoption. There are many people from all walks of life wanting to adopt a baby, so you can be confident that we will find an excellent home for your child where they will be loved and valued. If you would like our help in deciding whether adoption is right for you and your baby, please contact us and we will be pleased to help you.

[Back to top]


Further Reading