How to Create an Adoption Plan for Your Baby [The Decisions You'll Get to Make]

The adoption plan is the playbook for your entire adoption experience and created specifically for your adoption needs. 

• The adoption plan accounts for every detail you feel is important in your adoption journey. 

• Your adoption plan includes information about the type of family you want for your baby and helps determine which available family profiles your adoption specialist will send you. 

• The decisions, details and specifics of your adoption plan are completely up to you and based on what you feel is best for you and your child. 

You can start making your own adoption plan today by calling 1-800-ADOPTION at any time.

Today, pregnant women have a great deal of control over the events of their baby’s adoption. They are in charge every step of the way, from choosing whom to place their child with to what kind of post-placement adoption contact they want. 

But, how do you make sure your adoption choices are respected when you pursue this journey? Through something called your “adoption plan.” 

When you first begin your adoption process, you will work closely with one of our experienced adoption specialists to determine what you want for your adoption.

• Your specialist will walk you through all the different aspects of adoption planning, asking you questions to help you determine what your preferences and goals are.

• Your adoption desires will be taken down in a series of documents, known as an adoption plan template.

• Your adoption professional will refer to these throughout your adoption journey to make sure your rights and interests are protected. 

Want to learn more? Below, find out what making an adoption plan entails. 

If you’re ready to start the adoption process with our agency or want more information on the adoption plan and how to put a child up for adoption, call us at 1-800-ADOPTION, or visit our online contact forms for prospective birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents.   

How to Start an Adoption Plan 

The first step in making an adoption plan is contacting an adoption specialist for free at 1-800-ADOPTION. They will discuss with you your situation, goals and desires for creating an adoption plan. As part of this plan, you will be in control every step of the way. 

When considering each step of your own adoption plan, it is important to ask yourself two questions: 

• What is best for your baby? 

• What is best for you? 

By answering these questions, you will ensure that the adoption goes exactly how you want and that your child will have the life you have always hoped for him or her. 

As you start making an adoption plan, you will have control over every step of your adoption: 

Step 1: Choosing an Adoption Professional 

Choosing a professional to assist you with your adoption plan is one of the most important decisions for both you and your child. It is important that your adoption professional… 

• is working in your best interest. 
• will build an adoption plan around your needs. 
• personally screens the families and only works with parents who are committed to adoption. 
• is available to you 24 hours a day. 
• is licensed and has qualified adoption specialists and counselors on staff to support you before, during and after the adoption. 

When working with American Adoptions, you can be sure that all of our adoption specialists will meet all of these requirements. To get more information on our support services, call 1-800-ADOPTION and speak to one of our adoption professionals today.

Step 2: Choosing an Adoptive Family 

Your adoption specialist will help you find an adoptive family that best matches your adoption plan. You will always be able to choose the family for your child, no matter where you are at in your pregnancy or adoption plan. 

To help you choose an adoptive family, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Do you want to choose the adoptive family, or do you want your adoption professional to choose one? 

• Do you want a large family with children already, or do you want a small family waiting on their first child?

• Do you want a family that lives in the city, suburbs or, in the country? 

• What kind of contact do you want with the adoptive family before and after the adoption? 

Step 3: Planning the Hospital Stay 

The hospital stay is one of the most important parts of your adoption plan. Thinking about the hospital stay in advance will help you focus on the healthy birth of your baby. Here are some of the questions to consider while planning your hospital stay: 

• Do you want the adoptive family in the delivery room? 

• Which family members or friends do you want with you in the hospital? 

• Do you want to spend time alone with your baby? 

• Do you want to take pictures with your baby? With the adoptive family? 

• Do you want to leave the hospital with your baby and the adoptive family? 

Remember, you will have a social worker and adoption attorney with you during your stay to ensure your rights and interests are respected. Also, all hospital and pregnancy-related medical costs are fully covered.

Step 4: Deciding What Contact You’d Like with the Adoptive Family and Your Child 

Adoption is becoming more and more open, and you can determine the amount of contact you’d like with the adoptive family during your pregnancy and after the adoption.  

Here are some questions to ask yourself about contact with the adoptive family and your child: 

• Do you want to get to know the adoptive family before committing to them? 

• Do you want to talk to them over the phone? Email? Skype? Or even in person? 

• Would you like to have an ongoing relationship with the adoptive family and your child? 

• Do you want pictures and letter updates of your child? 

• What kind of post-adoption contact would you like to have with the adoptive family? How often? 

When you work with American Adoptions, our specialists can help mediate post-placement contact between you and the adoptive family for the best chance of continued communication success in the future. You can get more information about open adoption and contact with the adoptive family by calling 1-800-ADOPTION or by completing our online contact form.

What to Expect When Completing the Adoption Plan Template 

At American Adoptions, an adoption specialist will work with you on your adoption plan to make sure the adoption process matches your exact wishes. 

To ensure your adoption plan is documented and followed, your adoption specialist will help you complete some important forms that provide information about you, your baby, and the types of adoptive parents you want for him or her.  

The adoption plan may seem overwhelming at first, but it is an important piece of the process to help American Adoptions find the best possible adoptive parents for your baby. Remember, the information that you provide to our adoption specialists is always confidential; it will never be shared with anyone without your permission.  

Get More Information on Creating Your Adoption Plan   

Michelle, a birth parent specialist and a birth parent herself, is ready to answer any questions you have about the adoption plan and putting a baby up for adoption.          

“I am available to answer any questions that arise, particularly from birth moms, as I have been in your shoes and know how you are feeling,” Michelle said.          

You can ask Michelle questions about the adoption process online. You can also call us at 1-800-ADOPTION, or get free information with our online contact form for prospective birth mothers considering adoption here. Adoptive families wanting more information on adopting a child can click here to get more information. 

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