When Can I Give My Baby Up for Adoption in Indiana?

You can give your baby up for adoption in Indiana at any point—whether you just discovered you're pregnant, you're in the delivery room, or you've already brought your baby home.

No matter when you decide, you have the right to choose a loving family for your child and receive the personal support you deserve throughout the process.

We're here to help you understand Indiana's adoption laws, explore your timeline options, and connect you with the resources and guidance you need to move forward with confidence.

Choosing Adoption While You're Still Pregnant in Indiana

Many birth mothers find that making an adoption plan during pregnancy gives them the most time to feel prepared and in control. When you start the process early, you can:

Browse adoptive family profiles and find the perfect match for your child
Build a relationship with the family before your baby is born
Create a detailed adoption plan that reflects your wishes for contact and communication
Receive financial assistance with pregnancy-related expenses like rent, utilities, groceries, and medical bills

Your adoption plan is a personalized roadmap for your journey. It includes decisions about the adoptive family you choose, the level of openness you want in your relationship with them, and whether you'd like to be present for key moments like ultrasounds or the birth.

Starting early means you have time to think through these choices without feeling rushed.

Can I Choose Adoption Right From the Hospital?

Yes. You can decide to place your baby for adoption while you're in the hospital, even if you haven't made any plans beforehand.

Hospital staff and adoption specialists work together to provide immediate support when a birth mother makes this decision during labor or delivery.

If you choose adoption at the hospital, here's what happens:

Your adoption specialist coordinates with the hospital to ensure you receive the care and support you need
You can meet with prospective adoptive families, either in person or virtually, to choose the right family for your baby
Hospital staff respects your wishes regarding contact with the baby and creates a supportive environment for your decision
Counseling and emotional support are available to you throughout your hospital stay

Indiana's consent laws protect your right to take the time you need. In Indiana, you must wait at least 24 hours after your child's birth before you can legally give consent to adoption.

This waiting period ensures you have time to hold your baby, process your emotions, and make your decision without pressure. When you're ready, consent must be documented in writing, signed in the presence of a notary public and two witnesses. After you give consent, Indiana law provides a 30-day window during which you can revoke it if you change your mind.

Even if you didn't plan ahead, you don't have to go through this alone.

American Adoptions provides immediate support to birth mothers who reach out from the hospital, connecting you with resources and helping you create a path forward that feels right for you.

It's Not Too Late: Choosing Adoption after Birth in Indiana

If you've already brought your baby home, whether it's been days, weeks, or even months, you can still choose adoption in Indiana.

Life doesn't always go according to plan, and circumstances can shift after your baby is born. You might have tried parenting and realized it's not the right path for you, or you may have faced unexpected challenges that make adoption the best choice for your child's future.

Here's what the process looks like when you place your baby for adoption after bringing them home:

Matching with a Family: Your adoption specialist will help you review adoptive family profiles and select the family that feels like the perfect fit. Many families are matched quickly, sometimes within days.
Creating an Adoption Plan: Even though your baby has already been born, you still have full control over your adoption plan. You'll decide on the level of openness you want, whether you'd like to exchange photos and letters, and how much contact feels right for you.
Legal Process: Indiana's adoption laws still apply, including the consent and revocation timelines. You'll work with your adoption specialist to complete all necessary legal steps and ensure everything is handled properly.

The timeline may look a little different when you place your baby after bringing them home, but American Adoptions is here to guide you through every step.

The Indiana Adoption Laws Every Birth Parent Should Know

Understanding Indiana's adoption laws helps you feel confident in your decision and know what to expect throughout the process.

Here are the key legal details every birth parent should know:

Written consent to adoption must be provided by each living parent of a child born in wedlock, the mother of a child born out of wedlock, and the father of a child who has established paternity.

Consent must be executed in writing, signed in the presence of a notary public and two witnesses.

A birth mother can give consent to adoption no sooner than 24 hours after the child's birth.

After you sign consent, Indiana law gives you 30 days to revoke it if you change your mind. During this window, you can withdraw your consent and regain custody of your child. Once the 30-day period ends, your consent becomes final and cannot be revoked.

In Indiana, you can consent to adoption even if you're under 18 without needing your parents' or guardian's permission, unless a court determines otherwise based on the best interests of the child.

Indiana law allows adoptive families to provide financial assistance to birth mothers for pregnancy-related expenses, including medical care, housing, utilities, and other reasonable costs.

American Adoptions helps coordinate this support so you can focus on your health and well-being during pregnancy and after birth.

These laws exist to protect your rights and ensure you have the time and information you need to make the best decision for yourself and your child. Your adoption specialist will walk you through every legal requirement and answer any questions you have along the way.

Am I Ready? Balancing Your Feelings with Legal Adoption Timelines

Deciding when to place your baby for adoption isn't just about meeting legal requirements. It's about feeling emotionally ready to take this step. Every birth mother's timeline is different, and there's no "right" time to choose adoption.

You might feel certain about your decision from the moment you learn you're pregnant. Or you might need weeks or months to process your emotions and explore your options. Both paths are valid, and neither one is wrong.

Questions to ask yourself:

Do I feel confident that adoption is the best choice for my child's future?
Have I had time to think through my feelings and talk to people I trust?
Do I understand what adoption will mean for me and my child in the years to come?
Am I ready to move forward, or do I need more time to think?

Emotional readiness doesn't always align perfectly with legal timelines, and that's okay. Indiana's laws are designed to give you space to process your emotions and make your decision without feeling pressured.

How American Adoptions Supports You at Every Step

Choosing adoption is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make, and you deserve to have a team of professionals who will walk with you every step of the way.

Here's how American Adoptions supports birth mothers in Indiana:

You'll have access to licensed counselors who specialize in adoption and understand the complex emotions you're experiencing.

Whether you need someone to talk to at 2 a.m. or want to process your feelings during business hours, support is always available.

Your adoption specialist will work with you to create a plan that reflects your unique wishes and circumstances.

You'll make decisions about the adoptive family, the level of openness you want, and how involved you'd like to be in your child's life after placement.

We have hundreds of pre-screened, loving families waiting to adopt.

You'll review detailed profiles, see photos, and learn about each family's values, lifestyle, and hopes for the future. You're in complete control of this decision, and we'll support you in finding the family that feels right.

Indiana law allows birth mothers to receive help with pregnancy-related expenses, including rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and medical bills.

Your adoption specialist will coordinate this support so you can focus on your health and well-being.

Our commitment to you doesn't end when the adoption is finalized. You'll continue to have access to counseling and support as you navigate life after placement.

We understand the local laws, resources, and community support available to birth mothers, and we'll connect you with everything you need to feel safe and supported throughout your journey.

Take the Next Steps by Talking With an Adoption Specialist

You don't have to have everything figured out right now.

Whether you're still pregnant, at the hospital, or have already brought your baby home, it's not too late to explore your options and get the support you deserve.

Call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist about your circumstances, or fill out our free online contact form to get started today.

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