How to “Give Up” a Baby for Adoption in Texas

If you’re reading this, then you’re probably trying to make one of the most difficult decisions of your life.

An unplanned or unwanted pregnancy can be overwhelming. Feelings like fear, anxiety and confusion come flooding in. If you already know that parenting isn’t an option, you’re left wondering, “What can I do?”

“Giving your baby up” for adoption in Texas is an unplanned pregnancy option that can turn a challenging situation into hope for a better future. Through putting a baby up for adoption in Texas, you can regain control of your life while also providing your baby with the opportunity to grow and thrive with a loving family.

Does that sound like something that could be right for you? If so, you’re probably wondering how to “give a baby up” for adoption in Texas.

You’ve come to the right place. We’ve created this guide to help any woman considering adoption in Texas understand the process and start her journey.

While adoption can be beautiful, it can also be confusing — especially if you don’t understand how it works and who can help. This guide will give you the most important information you need to get started. And, if you’d like more personal support, you can contact us at any time to be connected with a professional.

Ready to learn more about how putting a baby up for adoption in Texas could work for you?

“Giving Baby Up” for Adoption in Texas

Before getting into the details, let’s talk about “giving baby up” for adoption in Texas. It’s a common phrase — one you’ve probably used yourself. There’s no bad intent behind it. But, it really misses the point.

There’s nothing about adoption that resembles “giving up.” In fact, it’s the opposite. Creating an adoption plan is a proactive decision made from a place of love and care.

Our goal is for this guide to be accessible for everyone. As “giving up” language is common, you may see it here. However, know that you are not “giving a baby up” for adoption in Texas — you are doing something brave.

More adoption positive language would be “choose adoption,” “place baby for adoption,” or “create an adoption plan.” We will use this language in our guide, as well.

Now, let’s talk about how to place a baby for adoption in Texas.

How to Put a Baby Up for Adoption: The Texas Adoption Process

Step 1: Choose Adoption

This journey takes commitment and maturity. It could be the best thing for your life, but “giving a baby up” for adoption in Texas won’t be easy. So, first things first: Are you sure that adoption is right for you?

Consider creating a pros and cons list of the ways adoption will impact your life. You may also want to read stories from other birth parents to see if you resonate with their experience.

If you can say with certainty that putting a baby up for adoption is your path, then you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2: Create an Adoption Plan

This step is one of the most important. There are two parts: choosing an agency and creating a plan.

First, you’ll need to find an agency to work with. These professionals provide required services and support to complete the adoption process, which we’ll discuss in greater detail below. Then, with the help of your adoption specialist, you’ll create a plan for putting your baby up for adoption in Texas. This plan will include the type of adoptive family you want to choose, the level of openness in your adoption, the hospital plan for prenatal care and delivery, and more.

Step 3: Choose Adoptive Parents

When thinking about how to “give a baby up” for adoption in Texas, choosing the adoptive parents is arguably the most important step. Working with your professional, you will look through adoptive family profiles until you find one that feels right. If you’re stuck between two or three families, you can ask to speak with them before making your choice.

Choosing the adoptive family gives confidence to many women considering adoption. In this act, you shape your child’s future, even though you won’t be their primary caregiver.

Step 4: Prepare for Placement

After choosing the adoptive parents, there will be a chance to get to know them through pre-placement contact. This depends on the level of openness in the adoption — something you decide when you create your adoption plan.

Additionally, there are practical steps to take, like prenatal medical care. Mothers who “give their babies up” for adoption in Texas won’t have to worry about medical costs during this process, as those are covered by adoption financial assistance.

Step 5: Complete Placement

When the time comes for labor and delivery, everyone will follow your hospital plan. After birth, Texas adoption laws state that you must wait at least 48 hours before giving the official consent to adoption. At that time, the baby will be placed with the adoptive parents.

Step 6: Post-Placement Contact

The Texas adoption process may officially end with placement, but your adoption journey continues. Depending on the level of openness you chose in your adoption plan, you can expect to have continued contact with your child and the adoptive family. This relationship may shift over time, but it will always be an important part of your life.

Texas Adoption Agencies

Like we said in the second step above, your choice of adoption agency can have a massive impact on your overall experience when putting a baby up for adoption in Texas. The right agency can make everything easier, while the wrong professional can bring additional anxiety and frustration to an already emotional process.

How can you find the right Texas adoption agency? While it is ultimately a personal decision, there are a few key characteristics that any women putting a child up for adoption in Texas should look for: 

Availability:

Your life during adoption will not be simple or consistent. Unexpected needs will arise, and you can be sure they won’t always be between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. When putting a baby up for adoption in Texas, you need an agency that will pick up the phone outside of traditional office hours.

One great way to test an agency’s availability is to make your initial call late in the evening. It’s one thing to say they have 24/7 availability and another to prove it on the spot.

Experience:

Dealing with surprise obstacles is a part of “giving a baby up” for adoption in Texas. An agency with decades of experience will have a better plan for unexpected situations. Ask an agency how long they’ve been around and how many combined years of experience their specialists have.

A good sign of experience is consistency. Ask about how many placements the agency takes part in each year and if this number is consistent.

Licensing:

Last but not least, any agency you consider working with should be fully licensed. Putting a baby up for adoption in Texas is a delicate process. Licensing ensures an agency completes the process in the most ethical, responsible and legal way. A professional that is not fully licensed might cut corners, which can jeopardize the success of the placement.

With these qualities in mind, there are several local professionals to consider working with:

• American Adoptions
• American Adoptions of Texas
• Adoption Answers, Inc.
• Adoption Choices of Texas
• Gladney Center for Adoption

Learn More and Speak to a Professional

Choosing to place a baby for adoption and starting the process can be difficult. Sometimes, it can help to speak to a professional. Contact us today if you would like to be connected with a knowledgeable adoption specialist.