For Pregnant Mothers
If you’re pregnant and considering adoption, you probably have a lot of questions. Find answers about your options, placing your baby for adoption, choosing a family, the adoption process, financial support, and what happens after birth.
Start by confirming your pregnancy with an at-home pregnancy test or a doctor’s visit. Once you know you’re pregnant, you can talk with our caseworkers about your options. If you decide to start the adoption process, we’ll need proof of your pregnancy.
At-home pregnancy tests can be very accurate when used correctly. A false negative can happen if you take the test too early. If you think you may be pregnant, a doctor can confirm your pregnancy with a urine or blood test.
Try to see a doctor as soon as you can after a positive pregnancy test or missed period. Most doctors recommend a checkup within the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. Early prenatal care helps protect your health and your baby’s health.
Yes. We can help you find a doctor and get health insurance, no matter where you live. Pennsylvania and some other states are required to cover pregnant women under Medicaid.
Be honest with your doctor about any drug or substance use so you and your baby can get the right care. Drug use does not prevent you from choosing adoption. Many of our pre-approved waiting families are open to adopting babies who have had drug exposure.
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, your options may include parenting, adoption, or ending the pregnancy. What is available to you can depend on where you live and how far along you are. The decision is yours, and nobody should pressure you into it. It may help to think about your health, finances, support system, and future plans. If you’re considering adoption, you can make an adoption plan at any point during your pregnancy, and our caseworkers can talk through all of your options with you, even if you don’t choose adoption.
An unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Get medical care early, lean on friends and family you trust, and reach out to a crisis hotline if you need emotional support. You can also talk with our caseworkers anytime at (610) 613-1911, even if you aren’t considering adoption.
Only you can decide. It may help to ask yourself whether you feel ready to raise a child, whether you have the support you need, and what you want for your future and your baby’s future.
If you are not ready to parent but want to stay connected to your child, an open adoption may be an option. Open adoption can allow you to have an ongoing relationship with your child and the adoptive family.
No. Placing your baby for adoption is a loving decision that many women make when they want their child to have a stable, secure future. Every situation is different, and the right choice is the one that fits your life. Our caseworkers will support you without judgment, whatever you decide.
No. You can consider adoption during pregnancy or after your baby is born, and you don’t need to have decided on adoption before you reach out. A Baby Step Adoption works with mothers who are considering adoption after birth, even up to a year after delivery. The sooner you contact our caseworkers, the more we can help.
No. It’s common to have questions or mixed feelings about a major decision, and you can talk openly with your caseworker about how you feel. Talking with an adoption agency or making an adoption plan does not mean you have to place your baby for adoption. You can change your mind at any point until the adoption is finalized after your baby is born. If you’re unsure, it’s best to wait to match with a family until you feel ready.
The adoption process can be different for every birth mother. In general, you’ll talk with a caseworker, create an adoption plan, choose an adoptive family if you want to, make a hospital plan, and complete the legal steps required for placement. Your caseworker will guide you through each step.
An adoption plan covers the choices you make for your pregnancy, hospital stay, adoptive family, and contact after placement. Your caseworker will help you create a plan based on what you want and what makes you comfortable.
An adoption agency can explain your options, help you create an adoption plan, connect you with waiting families, handle the legal steps, and support you during pregnancy and after birth. Working with an agency means you have someone to call when you have questions or need help. Full-service agencies like A Baby Step Adoption also provide legal support and lifelong support for birth mothers.
Look for a licensed adoption agency that makes you feel comfortable and respected. Ask whether the agency provides legal support, lets you choose the adoptive family, offers help during pregnancy, and will continue supporting you after placement.
Depending on state law and your situation, financial assistance may be available for pregnancy-related expenses such as medical care, housing, transportation, utilities, or maternity needs. Our caseworkers can explain what help you may legally receive. It is never legal for prospective parents to offer money in exchange for a baby.
Yes. Depending on your state, A Baby Step Adoption can help cover housing and transportation during your pregnancy and help you find in-network medical coverage. We can also help you find a new place to live after your baby is born.
In an open adoption, the birth mother and adoptive family stay in contact after placement. The amount and type of contact can vary. In a closed adoption, there is little or no ongoing contact between the birth family and adoptive family.
Yes. Some women choose adoption while already parenting other children. Our caseworkers can talk with you about your situation and help you understand your options.
Yes. You can look through our pre-approved waiting families and choose the family you feel is right for your baby. You can get to know families before you decide, as much or as little as you want. If you would rather not meet families, you don’t have to.
Yes. You can choose a local family, a family in your state, or a family anywhere in the country. It’s up to your preferences, and your caseworker can help you think through what matters most to you.
You can decide what level of contact feels right for you. Some birth mothers want a close relationship with the adoptive family, while others prefer limited or no contact. Your adoption plan can reflect your preferences.
Policies vary by agency. A Baby Step Adoption works with LGBTQ+ parents, single parents, couples, and families from many different backgrounds.
Our pre-approved waiting families live across the country and come from many different backgrounds. They include couples, single parents, families with children, LGBTQ+ parents, and families of different races, ethnicities, and religions. Every family has been screened and has passed a home study. You can look through our waiting families and decide what matters most to you when choosing parents for your baby.
Yes. Your adoption is confidential, and we will keep your personal information private.
You have the right to understand your options and make your own decisions about adoption. You can choose an adoptive family, create a hospital plan, and decide what type of adoption you want. Adoption laws vary by state, so our legal team will explain the rules and your rights based on your situation.
Birth fathers have legal rights, but the rules for consent depend on the state and the circumstances. If the birth father is unknown, uninvolved, or does not agree with the adoption, our legal team can explain what steps may be required.
In most cases, no. Once the adoption is finalized, you can’t change your mind, and parental rights generally can’t be reinstated. There are rare exceptions in unique cases, so if you have concerns, talk with a legal professional about your options.
Adoption includes legal steps that must be handled correctly. A Baby Step Adoption provides legal support as part of our adoption services, so you do not have to manage the legal process on your own.
No. A Baby Step Adoption does not charge birth mothers legal fees for the adoption services we provide.
Start by talking with one of our caseworkers. You can ask questions and learn about your options, even if you are still deciding what you want to do. Call or text (610) 613-1911 or email info@ababystepadoption.com. We’re available 24/7.
There is no single timeline for adoption. It depends on how far along you are, when you choose a family, and your adoption plan. At ABSA, it takes about four months on average for a birth mother to match with an adoptive family.
An adoption is finalized in court after your baby is placed with the adoptive family. The timing depends on state law, but finalization often happens several months after placement. Your caseworker and our legal team will keep you informed along the way.
You’re in charge of your hospital experience. As part of your adoption plan, you can create a hospital plan that covers who you want with you during labor and delivery, how much time you want with your baby, and when you want the adoptive family involved. Your caseworker can be there to support you, or you can rely on your loved ones. We work closely with the hospital to make sure the plan is one you’re comfortable with.
What happens next depends on your adoption plan. If you have already chosen an adoptive family, your caseworker will help coordinate placement with the family and hospital. If you have not chosen a family yet, we can help you review waiting families after your baby is born.
Yes. You can choose your baby’s name for the original birth certificate. The adoptive family may later change the name, so you can also talk about names with the family you choose as part of your adoption plan.
Your name appears on your baby’s original birth certificate. After the adoption is finalized, the state issues a new birth certificate with the adoptive parents listed. Rules for accessing the original birth certificate vary by state.
Yes, if you choose an open adoption. Your adoption plan can include contact such as photos, letters, calls, messages, or visits, depending on the agreement you make with the adoptive family. If you would rather not keep in touch, you can choose a closed adoption, with no ongoing contact between you and the adoptive family.
Every birth mother’s experience after adoption is different, and you may feel many emotions at once. Our support doesn’t end after placement. A Baby Step Adoption provides lifelong support for birth mothers through pregnancy, delivery, placement, and the years that follow, so you can move confidently into your next chapter.
You’ll have a dedicated caseworker who will guide you through the adoption process and serve as your main point of contact. Your caseworker will support you during pregnancy, at the hospital, and after placement.
All of our waiting families are pre-approved and must complete a home study. A home study includes required background checks, interviews, and a review of the family’s home and ability to care for a child.
A Baby Step Adoption works with many birth mothers each year and helps place about 30 to 40 babies with adoptive families.
We’re not just an adoption agency. A Baby Step Adoption is a full-service adoption agency, so legal support is built into the process. You’ll have a dedicated caseworker, access to help 24/7, pre-approved waiting families, and lifelong support after placement.
Yes. ABSA can help you get counseling both during your pregnancy and after placement.