“Giving Your Baby Up” For Adoption in Georgia [5 Points to Know]

You can get professional support if you’re considering “giving your baby up” for adoption in Georgia.

If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and have found yourself wondering how to “give a baby up” for adoption in Georgia, we’re here to help.

There are five points you need to know if you’re thinking about “giving your baby up” for adoption in Georgia:

1. You have choices
2. You can choose the adoption specialist you want to work with
3. You can get financial support
4. You can pick the adoptive family
5. You can have a relationship with your baby and the adoptive family after you give birth

If you’ve found yourself thinking, “I’m ready to ‘give my baby up’ for adoption,” and are ready to talk to an adoption specialist, you can get free adoption support today.

1. If You’re Experiencing an Unplanned Pregnancy, You Have Choices

 People experiencing an unplanned pregnancy in Georgia have three choices:

• Parenting: Although many women decide to become a parent, it’s not the right decision for everyone.
• Adoption: Adoption (open, semi-open, and closed) is a wonderful way to give the gift of parenthood to hopeful adoptive families. But many women don’t know how to place a baby for adoption in Georgia.
• Abortion: While legal, Georgia has some abortion restrictions. Talk to an abortion provider as soon as possible to find out your abortion options. 

Women choose one of the above options for very different reasons; all those reasons are worthy. It’s important to know that you are in control of your pregnancy.

If you have not decided how you want to handle your pregnancy, that’s OK. Take some time to research each option so you can proceed knowing that you are confident with your decision.

2. You Can Choose the Adoption Specialist Who is Right for You

Putting a baby up for adoption is a big decision, but it might also be the best choice for you. Once you’ve concluded that adoption is the right choice for you and your baby, it’s time to find an adoption attorney or an adoption agency.

The agency will provide you with an adoption specialist who will be there for you every step of the way. When it comes to choosing a professional for putting a baby up for adoption in Georgia, you have several options:

• National adoption agency: Many women find that working with a national adoption agency is the best option for them. Of course, there are pros and cons that come with every option, depending on your situation. For example, although you may not meet your adoption specialist in person, you do have access to more adoptive family profiles to browse.
• Adoption attorney: If you’ve already found an adoptive family for your baby, you can choose to work with an adoption attorney. Your adoption attorney will ensure the adoption is legal and that your rights are protected. However, attorneys do not provide the same amount of services that an agency can.
• Local or regional adoption agency: A regional adoption agency will provide you with an adoption specialist who will help you find an adoptive family. There are pros (you can meet your adoption professional in person) and cons (staff is often small, fewer adoptive families to choose from) to working with a local adoption agency.

The following adoption agencies help prospective birth moms and adoptive families through the adoption process in Georgia:

• American Adoptions
• An Open Door Adoption Agency
• Covenant Care Adoption Services
• Georgia AGAPE
• Gladney Center for Adoption
• Bethany Christian Services
• All for Children Adoption

After choosing the adoption agency that’s right for you, you’ll begin working with an adoption specialist and an adoption attorney. Your adoption attorney will help you through the legal portion of your adoption.

One adoption law to consider now is adoption consent. This law mandates that both birth parents (you and your baby’s father) consent to adoption. Your adoption attorney will help you navigate this law, as well as other state-specific adoption regulations. 

Your adoption specialist is there to support you and guide you through the following three points of placing a baby for adoption in Georgia.

3. You Can Pick Your Baby’s Adoptive Family

Many prospective birth mothers wonder: “If I give my baby up for adoption, can I choose their adoptive family?”

The answer is yes. You have complete control over who will parent your child.

Your adoption specialist will show you many prospective adoptive family profiles. Make sure you look at as many profiles as you’d like – this is a big decision! When viewing these adoptive family profiles, you can start to think about the type of qualities you’d like your baby’s adoptive family to have. Consider an adoptive family’s:

• Religious beliefs
• Parenting style
• Lifestyle (do they have pets; are they married, single, etc.)
• And more

Take your time with this step. Continue working with your adoption specialist until you find the adoptive family you think is best for your baby.

4. Prospective Birth Mothers Can Get Financial Support

Many prospective birth mothers wonder if giving a baby up for adoption in Georgia is expensive. You don’t have to pay any fees when you choose to place your baby for adoption. And you may be able to receive some financial help.

Your adoption specialist and adoption attorney can help you determine what pregnancy and post-pregnancy expenses you can have fully or partially covered.

5. You Can Have a Relationship with Your Baby and the Adoptive Family After You Give Birth

When putting your baby up for adoption in Georgia, you can decide what type of adoption you want to have and create your adoption plan.

There are three types of adoptions you can choose from:

• Open adoption: You, your child, and the adoptive family have full access to each other’s information.
• Semi-open adoption: You, your child, and the adoptive family can contact each other. All communication goes through an adoption professional.
• Closed adoption: You, your child, and the adoptive family do not have each other’s information and do not contact each other.

You also can choose your adoption plan. Your adoption plan is tailored to your specific needs and typically includes:

• Adoption details: These details include adoptive family details, the type of adoption you prefer, and more.
• Birth plan: This includes where you want to give birth, if you want the adoptive family present during the birth, and more.
• Post-placement details: This includes the type of contact (phone, email, in-person communication) you’ll have with your baby and your baby’s adoptive family, and how frequently you’ll contact each other, and more.

Next Steps

Remember: Although you may feel like you’re “giving your baby up” for adoption, that doesn’t mean it’s true. When you choose to place your baby for adoption, you aren’t giving up. The action of placing your child for adoption is loving and selfless!

When you choose adoption, you have the opportunity to continue your relationship with your child in a different way. Building this unique bond can continue to enrich you and your child’s relationship for years to come.