What Happens to My Baby after Adoption in Maine?
When you place your baby for adoption in Maine, they go directly to the loving adoptive family you choose—never to foster care.
Your baby will be cared for by pre-screened parents who have been carefully prepared for this journey, and you can maintain connection through open adoption if you choose. With the right support, you can create a future where both you and your child can thrive.
Schedule a consultation today and find the peace of mind that comes from knowing your baby's future is in caring, capable hands.
Below, we'll walk you through exactly what happens to your baby after adoption in Maine—from the hospital to finalization and beyond—so you can make this decision with confidence and clarity.
What Happens to My Baby after Adoption in Maine?
After you make an adoption plan in Maine, three key transitions happen: the first handoff at the hospital, the legal discharge process, and the finalization of the adoption.
At the hospital, you'll have time with your baby according to your wishes. When you're ready, the adoptive family you've chosen will meet you there.
The hospital experience can be customized to your comfort level—some birth mothers prefer a brief handoff, while others want the adoptive family present from the start.
After discharge, your baby goes home with their adoptive family while legal steps move forward.
In Maine, you can sign consent to adoption no sooner than 3 days after birth. Once you provide consent, there is no revocation period in Maine—your decision becomes final.
The adoption finalization typically occurs 3-6 months later, when a Maine court grants the adoptive parents full legal custody.
Who Takes Care of My Baby After Adoption Consent?
Your baby will never go to foster care.
This is a common fear, but it's important to know: what happens to your baby after adoption is that your baby goes directly from the hospital to the adoptive family you select when you work with an agency like American Adoptions.
Foster care is a completely separate system designed for children whose parents cannot care for them and have not made an adoption plan. Babies placed for adoption through private agencies do not enter foster care—they go straight to the pre-approved family you've chosen from our waiting families.
The adoptive parents become your baby's legal guardians once you sign consent, and they take full responsibility for your child's care from that moment forward.
You maintain control over who raises your child by selecting the family yourself.
How Adoptive Families Are Screened and Approved Before Adoption
Before any family can adopt through American Adoptions, they complete a rigorous screening process. This multi-step evaluation ensures that only qualified, prepared parents are presented to you when you're searching for an adoptive family.
Every prospective adoptive family undergoes:
This thorough process can take 6-12 months to complete. By the time you review family profiles, each one has already been fully vetted and approved. You can feel confident knowing your baby will be placed with a family that's truly ready.
Adoption Finalization and Parental Rights in Maine
Adoption finalization in Maine is the legal process that permanently transfers parental rights from you to the adoptive family. Understanding how this works can help you feel more prepared for what happens to your baby after adoption.
In Maine, birth parents can provide consent to adoption no sooner than 3 days after the baby's birth. Once signed, consent is irrevocable—Maine law does not provide a revocation period for birth parents who change their minds.
This finality protects the adoptive family and provides stability for your baby, but it also means you should feel completely certain before signing.
After consent is given, the adoptive parents file a petition with Maine's court system. A court hearing is typically scheduled 3-6 months later, where a judge reviews the adoption and issues a final decree.
At that point, the adoptive parents' legal rights are fully established, and your baby's original birth certificate is sealed. A new birth certificate is issued listing the adoptive parents.
Want to Stay in Touch? How Open Adoption Works
Open adoption allows you to maintain a relationship with your child and their adoptive family after placement.
Most adoptions facilitated by American Adoptions include some level of openness—it's become the standard because research shows significant benefits for everyone involved.
In an open adoption, you can:
- Exchange photos, letters, and updates through American Adoptions or directly with the family
- Have video calls or in-person visits according to the schedule you all agree upon
- Watch your child grow up knowing they're loved by both families
- Answer questions your child may have about their adoption story as they get older
The level of contact is entirely up to you and the adoptive family.
Some birth mothers prefer annual updates with photos, while others want quarterly visits. During the matching process, you'll discuss contact preferences with each family to find one that shares your vision.
If staying in touch matters to you, American Adoptions can help you find a family that will honor that commitment. Most of our waiting families are eager to include birth parents in their child's life in meaningful ways.
Life After Adoption: What Support Is Available for Birth Parents?
The support doesn't end when you place your baby. American Adoptions recognizes that life after adoption brings its own emotional challenges, and we're here to help you navigate them.
Understanding what happens to your baby after adoption also means knowing what support remains available to you.
Birth parents working with American Adoptions receive:
Many birth mothers find that having ongoing support makes a significant difference in their healing journey. You don't have to navigate this alone—our team remains available to you long after placement day.
How American Adoptions Supports You Before, During, and After Adoption
American Adoptions provides comprehensive support to birth mothers in Maine throughout every stage of the adoption journey. As a national adoption agency with decades of experience, we've helped thousands of women create positive adoption experiences.
When you work with us, you'll receive:
Our commitment to birth mothers sets us apart. We believe that when you have the right support, information, and resources, you can make the best decision for yourself and your baby with confidence.
Ready to Learn More About Adoption? Connect with American Adoptions Today
You deserve answers to all your questions about what happens to your baby after adoption.
Whether you're just beginning to explore adoption or you're ready to move forward, American Adoptions can provide the guidance and support you need.
Speak with a specialist today—what if one conversation could give you the clarity and confidence to move forward knowing your baby will be loved, safe, and thriving?
Disclaimer
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