Real information. Real choices. Information you can trust as you explore what’s right for you.
Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption?
Start With Facts
Not Social Media
Adoption Information for Pregnant Women
Support, clarity, and choice - so you can make the decision that’s right for you.
Private Placement Adoption is Voluntary, Informed, and 100% Your Choice
Adoption in 2026 is about the choices you make—from selecting the family to deciding the openness and building your own support team. Modern voluntary adoption is private, safe, and completely up to you.
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Legal Disclaimer This website provides general educational information only. It does not provide adoption placement, matching, facilitation, counseling, or agency services. This website is not a licensed adoption agency or child-placing agency and does not act as an intermediary. Adoption laws, consent rules, and allowable pregnancy-related expenses vary by state. Consult a licensed adoption agency or adoption attorney for advice specific to your situation.
There's a Lot of Misinformation Online
Before you pick a family.
Before you contact an agency.
Before you talk to an attorney.
This site exists so your first step is informed, not rushed.
Only You Choose the Adoptive Family
Modern private adoption is voluntary and choice-based.
You choose the family.
You choose the connection.
All adoptive families must complete a home study, including:
- Background checks and fingerprints
- Home inspection
- References and interviews
This ensures families are approved and safe to adopt. Make sure any family you select has a valid home study in the state in which they live.
You Choose How Open the Adoption Is
Adoption today is flexible. You decide:
- Open adoption
- Semi-open adoption
- Closed adoption
This includes how much contact you want before and after birth.
Adoption Is Free For Birth Parents
Support Is Available
You do not pay for adoption. All costs are paid for by the adopting family you select.
In many states, adoption laws allow you to receive help with pregnancy-related expenses, such as:
- Housing and rent
- Food and utilities
- Transportation
- Medical care
- Counseling
- Maternity clothing
You cannot be paid for adoption, but some form of necessary pregnancy expenses are almost always permitted.
You Have the Right to Decide
You have a constitutional right to make decisions about your baby, including:
- Whether to parent or choose adoption
- Who will raise your child
- How much contact you have after adoption
No one can force you to choose adoption or tell you who you must work with.
You Can Change Your Mind
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of adoption.
A pregnant woman can change her mind about adoption at any time up until her consent becomes legally irrevocable.
Key points to know:
- The timing of irrevocable consent is different in every state
- In every state, a birth mother can change her mind about adoption anytime during the pregnancy, and shortly after the birth
- Until consent becomes irrevocable under state law, you retain the right to change your mind
Learning about adoption or even making an adoption plan—does not lock you into a decision.
You Are Not Limited to Local Programs
You may work with any licensed adoption agency or adoption attorney anywhere in the United States. This matters because:
- State laws differ
- The family you want to adopt the baby may be in a different state
- Some states offer more flexibility and assistance
- You can choose professionals who best fit your needs no matter where they are located
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I change my mind about adoption?
- Yes. A birth mother can change her mind at any time until adoption consent becomes legally irrevocable. The timing varies by state, but it is safe to say that in the U.S., consent cannot be binding before birth no matter which state you are in.
- Can I sign adoption papers that require me to go through with adoption before my baby is born?
- No. A binding adoption placement cannot occur before the baby is born.
- Can I choose the adoptive family myself?
- Yes. In private adoption, expectant mothers choose the adoptive family and the level of openness.
- Do adoptive families get screened?
- Yes. All adoptive families in every state must complete a home study with background checks, a home inspection, and references.
- Can I get help with pregnancy expenses?
- Almost every state allows you to receive help with necessary pregnancy-related expenses. Laws vary by state, but you can expect that food, rent, utilities, transportation, medical bills, and counseling costs will be covered when you become pregnant enough that you need the help.