You don't have to navigate life after adoption alone. In Maryland, you have access to free counseling, support groups, and an adoption specialist who understands exactly what you're going through because many of them have walked this path themselves.

With the right support, you can process your emotions, maintain the connection with your child's family, and build the future you envisioned when you made this courageous decision.

Fill out our contact form today to get the support you deserve from an adoption specialist.

What Happens After I Give My Baby Up for Adoption in Maryland?

The first few days after placement can feel surreal. You've just gone through childbirth, made one of the hardest decisions of your life, and now you're processing what comes next. Physically, you're recovering. Emotionally, you might feel numb, relieved, devastated, or all of those things at once.

Here's what you need to know about what happens immediately after placement and in the weeks that follow.

The Legal Process: Consent and Finalization

After your baby is born, you'll sign consent papers agreeing to the adoption. You'll have 30 days after signing to change your mind if you decide you want to parent your baby instead. Once those 30 days pass, your decision is final.

After those 30 days, there's still a court hearing where a judge reviews everything and makes the adoption official. This usually happens a few months after placement. The adoptive parents take care of your baby during this time, and you can talk to your adoption specialist and counselor whenever you need to.

What the First Few Days Feel Like

The hospital discharge can be one of the hardest moments. You're leaving without your baby, and that reality hits differently than anything you imagined during pregnancy.

Some birth mothers describe feeling empty. Others feel a strange sense of relief mixed with guilt for feeling that relief.

All of this is normal.

Your body is also going through massive hormonal changes. You just gave birth, but you're not caring for a newborn. These physical and emotional changes happening at the same time can feel overwhelming.

Post Adoption Support for Birth Parents in Maryland

Your adoption specialist doesn't disappear after placement. American Adoptions offers free, 24/7 counseling services for birth mothers, not just during pregnancy, but throughout your entire life.

Whether you need someone to talk to at 2 a.m. or want to work through complex emotions months or years after placement, that support remains available to you.

Maryland also has local resources specifically designed for women navigating life after adoption:

• The Barker Adoption Foundation offers pregnancy counseling and post-placement support
• Paths for Families provides emotional support and connects you with local resources
• Birth Mother Support Group (Facebook) is a private online community where you can connect with other birth mothers who understand what you're going through

You don't have to have everything figured out. Schedule a consultation with an adoption specialist and get the support you deserve.

The Emotions You May Feel After Placement: It's All Normal

You might feel emotions like grief, relief, guilt, pride, numbness, or love after placement. Sometimes all at once, sometimes in waves that catch you off guard. This emotional complexity doesn't mean you made the wrong choice. It means you're human, and you loved your child enough to make an incredibly difficult decision.

You might feel proud of the life you've given your child while simultaneously mourning the relationship you won't have. You might feel relieved that you can pursue your goals while also feeling guilty for that relief.

All of these feelings are valid. There's no "right" way to feel after placement, and your emotions might shift dramatically from day to day or even hour to hour. What matters is that you have support to process these feelings in a healthy way.

Will I Regret Giving My Baby Up for Adoption in Maryland?

Doubt is normal, especially in the early days and weeks after placement. You might replay the decision in your mind, wondering "what if?" or questioning whether you should have tried to parent.

But here's what research and countless birth mothers' experiences show: most birth mothers don't regret their decision, even when they grieve it. You can feel sad about what you've lost while still knowing you made the right choice. Those two things can coexist.

You chose adoption because you knew it was what's best for your baby. You looked at the families waiting to adopt, imagined the opportunities your child would have, and made a decision rooted in love.

That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. That doesn't mean you won't have hard days. But it does mean that you did something incredibly courageous.

How Long Does It Take to Feel 'Normal' Again?

There's no timeline for healing after adoption. Some birth mothers start to feel more like themselves within a few months. Others need a year or more.

And for many, "normal" becomes something new. You won't go back to who you were before, but you will move forward.

The first few weeks are often the hardest. The physical recovery from childbirth, the hormonal shifts, the empty arms. Everything feels raw.

What helps most is staying connected to support. Regular check-ins with your counselor, participation in support groups, and maintaining communication with your child's adoptive family (if you have an open adoption) can all contribute to long-term healing.

How to Stay Connected With Your Baby's Adoptive Family After Placement

Open adoption doesn't mean constant communication. It means communication that works for everyone involved. In the beginning, you and the adoptive family might exchange updates frequently as everyone adjusts.

Over time, you'll find a rhythm that feels sustainable.

Some birth mothers receive monthly photo updates and have annual visits. Others text regularly or video chat. Still others prefer less frequent contact.

If you placed your baby through American Adoptions, you had control over choosing the perfect family for your child and establishing the level of openness you wanted. That agreement serves as a foundation, but relationships naturally evolve.

Remember: the adoptive parents chose you, too. They want to honor your role in their child's life. Most adoptive families understand that maintaining a healthy relationship with you is a gift they can give their child.

How to Talk About the Adoption With People in Your Life

The people in your life will have questions, and you get to decide how much you share with each person.

• With close friends and family: A simple explanation is usually enough. "I chose adoption because I wanted my baby to have opportunities I couldn't provide right now." Most will respect your choice even if they don't fully understand it.
• With coworkers: You're not required to share anything. If someone asks about the pregnancy or baby, you can simply say, "I'd prefer to keep that private, but thank you for asking." If you work somewhere supportive, you might choose to share more, but only if it feels right for you.
• With judgmental people: Some people will criticize your decision no matter what you say. You don't need to justify yourself to them. A firm "This isn't up for debate" can end the conversation. Their opinions don't define your choice.

Parenting After Adoption Placement: How to Support Your Other Children

If you have other children, they're processing this change too. Young children need simple explanations: "The baby needed a family that could take care of them in ways we couldn't right now. They're safe and loved." Reassure them that you'll always be their parent.

Older children might feel confused, sad, or angry. Give them space to express their feelings without judgment, and consider connecting them with a counselor if they're struggling.

Open adoption can help with this transition. If your children can see photos or receive updates about the baby, it provides reassurance that their sibling is okay.

Returning to Work or School After Adoption

You've been through a major physical and emotional experience. Give yourself time to recover before returning to your normal routine. Many employers offer short-term disability for childbirth recovery, and you may be entitled to FMLA leave for your own medical recovery from pregnancy and childbirth.

When you do return, you don't have to share your adoption story with coworkers. A simple "I'd prefer to keep that private" is perfectly acceptable. If you're a student, reach out to your school's counseling services for accommodations or extensions.

Real Stories from Birth Mothers Like You

Michelle was young when she faced an unplanned pregnancy. She chose adoption because she knew it was the best decision for her son, even though it was heartbreaking. Through open adoption, she stayed connected and watched him grow up with parents who could give him the childhood she couldn't provide at that time.

Years later, Michelle finished her education, built her career, and eventually parented other children when she was ready.

Post Adoption Life for Birth Mothers: Your Questions Answered

How Do I Bring Up Adoption When Starting New Relationships?

You get to decide when and how to share your story. Some birth mothers bring it up early because it's an important part of their lives; others wait until they feel more connected to a partner. Healthy, respectful partners will honor your experience, and if someone judges you or makes you feel ashamed, they're not the right person for you.

How Do I Handle Boundaries With the Adoptive Family?

Boundaries in open adoption naturally shift over time. If you're feeling overwhelmed by too much contact or hurt by too little, talk to your adoption specialist. They can help facilitate conversations about adjusting the communication plan in ways that respect everyone's needs.

How Do I Respond to People Who Judge or Don't "Get" My Decision?

Not everyone will understand adoption, and you don't need to justify your choice. For people who judge, a simple "This was a deeply personal decision that I made out of love" is often enough. Finding supportive communities through birth mother support groups or ongoing counseling can help counterbalance negativity.

Will Certain Dates, Like My Baby's Birthday or the Day of Placement, Always Feel Difficult?

Birthdays, placement anniversaries, and holidays can stir up strong emotions, even years after adoption. Creating intentional rituals can help. Some birth mothers write a letter, or reach out to the adoptive family for updates. There's no right way to handle these dates; what matters is that you honor your feelings.

Will My Child Understand My Decision One Day?

Children in open adoption often grow up understanding their birth mother's love because it's reinforced consistently through photos, visits, and conversations with their adoptive parents. What helps most is honesty and consistency. If you maintain a relationship through open adoption, your child will see your love through your actions.

We're Still Here for You—Reach Out Anytime

Life after adoption doesn't have to be something you navigate alone. Whether you're struggling with grief, wondering how to stay connected with your child's family, or simply need someone to talk to, American Adoptions is here.

You can choose a brighter future for yourself while honoring the choice you made for your child. You have control over how you heal, how you stay connected, and how you move forward.

And you'll get the personal care you deserve from your adoption specialist, who will make sure you feel safe and supported throughout this journey.

Fill out our contact form today to get the support you deserve from an adoption specialist, or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with someone right now.

 

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