As an expectant parent considering an adoption plan, you have the right to:
- Be treated with dignity and respect, not judgment or criticism.
- Explore all of your options in a non-directive, non-coercive environment, including parenting and all levels of openness in adoption.
- Be fully informed about your legal rights during the decision-making stage.
- Choose the prospective adoptive family if this is what you want to do. (Almost all, if not all, states allow this).
- Develop an adoption plan with your social worker and the adoptive family.
- Spend time in the hospital with your baby.
- Make the decision about adoption after the birth of the baby. Planning for adoption does not make it a definite decision and an adoption plan does not become definite until you sign legal papers releasing your rights.
- Sign relinquishment (consent or release) papers when you are ready.
- Have your questions answered honestly and completely, at any stage.
- Have your relationship with your child acknowledged and your grief and loss recognized.
- Change agencies or attorneys if you feel that your rights are not being respected.
