There’s a lot more to the adoption process to consider than most people realize, especially when it comes to their relationship with the expecting family. It is important for everyone in the adoption process to understand what rights the expecting families have in order to avoid any misunderstandings. In addition, it empowers the expecting parents to know what they can expect from others working with them on their adoption plan.
When it comes to the adoption process, expecting parents have 11 different rights:
- The right to participate in all phases of the adoption process.
Expecting moms have the right to be just as involved in every step of this process as the adopting family. - The right to have all of their questions answered, fully and completely.
An expecting mother will have many questions to get a feel for the family her child will be going to. It’s her right to ask and retrieve the answers from the adoptive family. - The right to receive education and guidance before and after birth.
Education is empowering to everyone who receive it and expecting moms deserve to be educated as much as the adoptive family. - The right to view profiles of families who have been screened.
The adoptive profile offers valuable insight into who an adopting family is. As the expecting mom, she has a right to view as many profiles as she needs in order to find the right family for her child. - The right to select and meet the family they wish to raise their child.
Expecting moms are placing a great deal of trust in a family she might have never known otherwise, which is why her selection is so important. As the expecting mother, she has the right to be picky and cautious. - The right to ask the adoptive family as many questions as possible.
Don’t feel offended if the expecting mother has many questions, as they often do. It’s all an effort to understand better who her child might be entrusted to. - The right to ask for living expenses.
As I mentioned in a previous post, expecting moms have the right to ask for living expenses. Learn more about what this entails here. - The right to see, hold and spend as much time with their baby as they want within the hospital.
This could be the last time she sees her baby or spends as much time with him/her before she leaves all responsibility to the adopting family. She has every right to take her time to say hello and spend time with her baby after birth. - The right to have an attorney provided to them, free of charge.
It is extremely important that all parties in the adoption process have their own separate legal counsel. - The right to request an ongoing relationship with the family.
Most expecting mothers want an open adoption with the adopting family before and after placement. In this case, expecting mothers and adopting families can stay in touch with each other through letters, pictures, and face-to-face visits. - The right to be treated with dignity and respect throughout the adoption process.
This should go without saying, but an expecting mother absolutely deserves our respect throughout this bittersweet and difficult transition.
Being aware of an expecting parent’s rights in the adoption process will make the adoption process run more smoothly for everyone. I hope you found this post helpful and that you remember when it comes to adoption, you have to start somewhere.
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