If you're thinking about giving your baby up for adoption in Maine, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Choosing adoption is a selfless choice, one that can provide your child with a loving, stable future while giving you the chance to take back control of your own life.

With American Adoptions, you don’t have to navigate this path alone. We can help you create a plan that feels right for you—whether you’re pregnant or have already given birth. Contact a Maine Adoption Specialist Now

In this guide, you’ll learn how adoption works in Maine, what support is available to you, and how American Adoptions can help you every step of the way. We’ll walk you through each stage of the process, help you understand your legal rights, and connect you to the services that matter most—from financial aid to emotional counseling.

How to Give a Baby Up for Adoption in Maine

Placing your baby for adoption is a life-changing decision, one that carries emotional, legal, and practical considerations. In Maine, this process is clearly defined under state law but also shaped by your unique needs, values, and goals.

When you choose to work with a licensed, full-service agency like American Adoptions, you gain access to a comprehensive network of support—financial, legal, emotional, and beyond.

This isn’t just a checklist of tasks; it’s a journey grounded in compassion, empowerment, and respect. Whether you’re early in your pregnancy or have already given birth, understanding the steps ahead can help you reclaim a sense of control, prioritize your well-being, and make the best choice for your baby.

Here’s how the adoption process typically works in Maine—always centered around you, your comfort, and your future.

Step 1: Contact a Licensed Adoption Agency

Reach out to a reputable agency like American Adoptions, which is licensed to provide services in Maine. You’ll be assigned a Birth Parent Specialist who will guide you with care and compassion. They will answer all your questions, listen to your concerns, and ensure you feel supported every step of the way.

Step 2: Create an Adoption Plan

Your specialist will help you build a plan based on your needs, including:

• The type of adoption you want (open, semi-open, or closed)
• The kind of adoptive family you envision
• Your hospital preferences
• Your emotional support preferences and post-placement goals

Step 3: Choose an Adoptive Family

View profiles of waiting families and select the one you feel best about. With American Adoptions, you’ll have access to more families nationwide than most local agencies can provide. This gives you the power to find a family that truly aligns with your hopes for your baby’s future.

Step 4: Get Financial and Emotional Support

You may be eligible for free services and financial assistance for rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and more. There’s no commitment required to receive this help. You also have access to ongoing counseling and emotional support before, during, and after the placement.

Step 5: Complete the Legal Process

Maine law requires that you wait at least 72 hours after birth to sign consent. Your adoption attorney, provided at no cost to you, will explain everything and make sure you understand your rights and feel confident in your decision.

Explore Local Adoption Resources in Maine

What If My Baby Is Already Born?

It’s never too late to choose adoption. Whether you’re in the hospital or back at home, American Adoptions can help you place your baby directly with a loving family—no foster care necessary.

Your specialist will move quickly to provide legal support, coordinate directly with the hospital staff, and ensure your child is matched with the right adoptive family. Even if your baby has already been born, they will assist you in developing a hospital plan tailored to your wishes.

Throughout the process, you will receive compassionate emotional support to help you navigate every step with care and confidence.

Call Now to Speak With a Specialist

Free Adoption Services You May Not Know About in Maine

You don’t have to go through this alone. When you choose adoption with American Adoptions, you’ll have access to free, confidential services that are tailored to your situation and focused on your well-being:

• 24/7 support from a Birth Parent Specialist who listens and advocates for you
• Financial help for essentials like rent, groceries, utilities, and maternity clothes
• Free legal counsel to ensure you understand your rights at every step
• Prenatal and delivery care coordination at no cost to you
• Post-adoption counseling to support your emotional recovery
• Help with transportation and safe housing if you’re in a difficult situation

These services are provided with no obligation and comply with all Maine adoption laws. We’re here to lift burdens, not add to them—so you can focus on your health and your baby’s future, with peace of mind.

Explore Our Financial Aid Programs

Do You Get Paid for Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption in Maine?

In Maine, while you can’t be paid to place your baby for adoption, you can receive legal, ethical financial help during your pregnancy. This support is here to ease stress and give you the tools you need to make the best choice for you and your baby.

• Adoption-related financial assistance in Maine can help cover:
• Rent and utilities
• Transportation to appointments or work
• Groceries and basic needs
• Medical expenses and maternity clothes
• Counseling and emotional support

These services are free, confidential, and available with no pressure to choose adoption. Even if you’re just exploring your options, you can start receiving help right away. At American Adoptions, we prioritize your health, safety, and peace of mind—every step of the way.

Learn More About Birth Parent Financial Assistance

Is It Wrong to Give My Baby Up for Adoption?

This is a question many women ask. Adoption can be emotionally difficult—but that doesn’t make it wrong. It’s a brave and selfless decision that puts your child’s future first. It’s okay to feel conflicted, emotional, and unsure—that’s part of the process.

For example, here's what a birth mother named Casey shared about coming to her decision: “I just came to the point where I didn’t want their life to consist of their mom working really hard at two jobs just to get by, and then I’m barely home,” she says. “Some people are a product of their environment… I didn’t want the streets to raise them because I’m so busy trying to provide for them, and I wanted them to have a father figure.”

It’s completely normal to question whether adoption is the right choice. You are not alone in these thoughts. Our team is here to listen, to support you without judgment, and to help you explore your emotions, understand your options, and find the path that aligns with your hopes for yourself and your child.

Helpful Information About Your Options

How to Choose an Adoptive Family in Maine

With American Adoptions, you take an active role in one of the most important parts of the adoption process: choosing the family who will raise your baby. This decision is personal—and you deserve support and transparency.

• View hundreds of pre-screened family profiles, all home-study approved
• Filter families by values, background, lifestyle, and location
• Talk to prospective families directly, if and when you choose
• Decide how much future contact you want—open, semi-open, or closed

Every adoptive family completes in-depth screening, including background checks, home visits, and parenting interviews. These are families ready to provide love, safety, and stability. Choosing your baby’s future is more than a legal step—it’s your chance to shape their life with intention. With American Adoptions, you're never alone in that choice.

View Waiting Families Now

Adoption at the Hospital: How Do You Make a Hospital Plan?

Whether you're still pregnant or already at the hospital, your Birth Parent Specialist will be by your side to ensure your wishes are known and respected.

They’ll help you decide who you want in the delivery room, work directly with hospital staff to coordinate your plan, and guide when and how the adoptive parents are introduced to your baby. If you’re unsure what to expect, your specialist can walk you through every step—from pain management preferences to post-delivery recovery.

Your comfort comes first, and you’ll remain in full control of your hospital experience while your specialist advocates for your choices with care and compassion.

Create Your Hospital Plan Today

What about the Birth Father?

You can still choose adoption, even if the birth father is uninvolved or unsupportive. Maine law may require his consent, but there are exceptions. Your specialist and attorney will help you understand your rights and how to proceed.

Every situation is unique, and we’ll work with you to navigate yours. Honesty about your circumstances helps us protect your rights and your baby’s future.

Learn More About Birth Father Rights in Maine

More Maine Adoption Laws You’ll Need to Know About

Understanding your legal rights is essential. Maine’s adoption laws are designed to protect you and ensure your decision is made with full consent and understanding.

• You must wait at least 72 hours after birth to give consent
• Consent must be given in writing before a notary
• After consent, the decision is legally binding

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our legal team is here to walk you through every step and answer all of your questions.

External Resources:

• Maine Judicial Branch – Adoption
• Maine Statutory Adoption Law

Ongoing Support after Giving Baby Up for Adoption

Support doesn’t end when your baby is placed. You can receive:

• Post-placement counseling to help process your emotions
• Continued contact with the adoptive family (if desired)
• Ongoing access to your specialist for future needs
• Help adjusting to life after placement and pursuing your goals

You are still a part of your child’s story, and we’re still here for you—whether it’s weeks, months, or years down the road.

Explore Contact After Placement

Is Giving My Baby Up for Adoption in Maine Right for Me?

This decision is deeply personal—and often emotionally complex. It’s natural to feel uncertain or conflicted, and there is no one "right" way to process what you're going through. Reflecting on both the practical and emotional realities can help you make a decision that truly feels right for you and your baby.

Pros:

• Your child is raised in a safe, loving home, with opportunities you may not be able to provide right now
• You regain a sense of stability and direction in your life
• You can choose the level of ongoing contact, including letters, photos, or visits
• You receive emotional and financial support throughout and after the process

Cons:

• It’s an emotionally challenging process, often accompanied by grief, doubt, or fear
• There may be days when you second-guess your decision, even if you feel confident overall
• Letting go can be one of the hardest things a person ever has to do

All of these feelings are real—and they’re okay. You are not weak for struggling or brave for pretending not to. You are human. Let us help you explore what you're feeling and support you as you figure out the path that brings you peace and purpose.

Finding Peace in Your Adoption Decision

You don’t have to have all the answers today. Adoption is a complex decision filled with emotion, reflection, and courage—and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. But please know: you are not alone.

At American Adoptions, we understand the weight of this decision. Whether you're still weighing your options or ready to take the next step, we’re here with support, understanding, and care—no pressure, no judgment. You deserve to feel informed, empowered, and at peace with whatever path you choose.

If you’re wondering what to do next, reach out. Talk to someone who’s been there. Your story matters, and we are here to help you write the next chapter with compassion and hope.

Speak with a Maine Adoption Specialist Today

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.