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Financial Assistance

Assistance with living expenses may be available for birth parents, depending on the laws in your state. While adoption laws vary in each state, many states allow adoptive families to assist birth parents with expenses related to the pregnancy. These expenses are designed to supplement other income, and can help with items such as maternity clothing, medical bills, transportation to doctor's visits, food, housing, etc. It's important to feel very confident in your adoption decision before accepting living assistance. Your Adoption Specialist can work with you to create a budget based on your needs.

Type of Cost	Description	Type in Cost Estimate
Rent or Mortgage Payment	One of the most important expenses for anyone is the rent or house payment. It is important that you have a place to stay where you can relax and feel safe during your pregnancy. These costs vary depending on in what area of the country you live. If you plan to relocate during your pregnancy, this cost may change.	$
Medical Expenses	Equally important is the need for regular visits to the doctor and qualified medical care throughout your pregnancy. The risks involved should you not receive regular care by a doctor make this expense essential. The largest expense is usually incurred during delivery, when costs can reach into the tens of thousands	$
Utilities	For you and your baby's health, the utility payments must be kept up. Included in these expenses are electricity, natural gas, water, sewage and telephone.	$
Gas or Travel Expenses	The cost of getting yourself to and from the doctor, the grocery store and other necessary trips are expenses that should be included.	$
Clothing	Maternity clothing is more available and stylish than ever before. Although you don't have to have the latest fashions, you do need to have comfortable clothing that isn't tight or restricting. These costs may increase as you get further along and wearing the clothing you have now is no longer possible.	$
Food	Eating healthy is a must when pregnant. It is normal for your appetite to increase during your pregnancy, so your grocery costs will probably increase, as well.	$
Other		$
Total pregnancy related costs that you may be able to get assistance with per month should you choose to make an adoption plan.		$

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

The Best for Her Babies - Why One Birth Mother Doesn't Regret Her Decision

Lindsey was already the mother to one baby with special needs when she found herself pregnant again. A single mom in the midst of a divorce, she knew adoption was the way to give both her daughters what they deserved.

Read the Story