An important part of placing your baby for adoption is choosing the adoptive family that will raise your child. However, while this time can be an exciting part of the adoption process, trying to find the right family can lead to a lot of internal questions, such as:

  • How soon after birth do adoptive parents take the baby?
  • Do I get any time with my baby after birth in the hospital?
  • If I give my baby up for adoption, does it go to foster care?

Now, although these questions come from different areas of worry, we want you to know that, as the prospective birth mother who created the adoption plan, your choices will be first and foremost throughout the process. This includes deciding how much time you want to spend with your baby at the hospital before completing the adoption.

To help ease any worries or concerns you may have about this time in the adoption process, we have provided some details to help you see the full picture of how your adoption plan plays out for you. But if you have any questions about finding a family, please don’t hesitate to reach out through our free information form or by calling 1-800-ADOPTION. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about, “How soon after birth do adoptive parents take the baby?” and other pressing questions. 

How Soon After Birth do Adoptive Parents Take Custody of the Baby?

When you make your adoption plan for your private domestic infant adoption, the adoptive parents typically take the baby home directly from the hospital.

In fact, as long as you agree, and your attorney or placing agency has made the arrangements, most hospitals will allow the adopting parents to visit with the baby as soon as the baby has been medically cleared after birth.

You can also talk to your attorney or placing agency as to whether the adopting parents can be present at the birth, if you want them there.

Do I Get Any Time With My Baby After Birth in the Hospital?

You have the right to spend as much time as you wish with your baby in the hospital after you give birth. You’ll have lots of options for your adoption hospital experience.

Part of your hospital adoption plan includes deciding if you want to have any special time that includes just you and your baby. If that’s what you choose, the adoptive family, your adoption specialist, and the hospital must respect your wishes.

However, you can also decide whether you would like to spend time together with your baby and the adoptive family. It’s up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

If you’re worried about how soon after birth will the adoptive parents take the baby, it will all depend on your hospital plan. You’ll be able to have the time you want with your baby and with the adoptive family. Once your doctor gives the OK for you to leave the hospital, the adoptive family will take the baby home.

It’s common for women choosing adoption to worry about how things will occur at the hospital. The more you can prepare and plan ahead, the more confident you will feel.

If I Give My Baby Up for Adoption, Does it Go to Foster Care?

Although private agency adoption and foster care have the same overall goal of placing a child with a loving family, there are several notable differences between both.

Because private agency adoption and foster care are two different processes, you don’t have to worry about how long after birth will the adoptive parents take the baby.

Private Infant Adoption

With private infant adoption, you choose to give your child up for adoption and you are in charge of the adoption process the entire time. You will make decisions on:

This is always a voluntary decision when you choose to place your child for adoption with a private adoption agency. Even if you change your mind about adoption at some point in the process before it is final, and as long as you can provide a safe home for them, you will keep your child. Otherwise, once you give birth and complete the adoption paperwork at the hospital, your baby will be placed with the adoptive family you’ve chosen.

Foster Care Placement

Foster care works differently from private infant adoption. Usually, children who are placed into foster care come from homes with abuse and neglect. These children are also often older and part of a sibling group. Therefore, foster care is involuntary.

Biological parents do have a right to complete the reunification process and retain their parental rights. However, they do not have a say in their child’s placement, like those who voluntarily choose adoption do.

By choosing to work with an adoption agency and going through the legal adoption process, you won’t have to worry at all about your child going into foster care.

We know that choosing adoption and going through all of the steps of the adoption process can be overwhelming and emotional. But remember, you are not alone in this time.

Preparing for Placement

So, how soon after birth do adoptive parents take the baby? As soon as you’re ready. Whether you want to spend a lot or a little bit of time with your baby before placement, the decision is always up to you.

We are always here to help and answer any questions you have. If you want to know more about placing your baby with the adoptive family at the hospital, we’re ready and available to assist you!