Your baby will be placed directly with the loving adoptive family you choose. Once you sign your consent to adoption in Maryland, which you can do at any time after birth, the adoptive parents become your baby's legal guardians.

Your child will go home from the hospital with their new family and begin their life surrounded by the love, stability and opportunities you wanted for them.

This guide will walk you through exactly what happens after you make an adoption plan. You'll learn about the moment your baby is born, legal steps and the lifelong support available to you as a birth parent.

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

Who Takes Care of My Baby After Adoption Consent

Your baby will not go into foster care. This is one of the most common concerns birth mothers have, and it's important to understand: when you work with American Adoptions, your child goes directly to the pre-approved adoptive family you selected.

Here's what that looks like in practice:

Before your baby is born, you'll review profiles of waiting families and choose the one that feels right. You can meet them in person, talk on the phone or exchange letters.

By the time you give birth, you'll already know exactly who will parent your child.

At the hospital, you decide how much time you want with your baby before placement. Some birth mothers spend hours bonding with their newborn. Others prefer to have the adoptive family present right away. You can also place your baby for adoption at the hospital or even take your baby home before finalizing your decision if you need more time.

After you sign consent, the adoptive parents take your baby home. Maryland law allows you to consent to adoption at any point after birth, and once you sign, the adoptive family becomes your child's legal guardians. Your baby will never experience the uncertainty of temporary care. From the moment they leave the hospital, they're with the family you chose to love and raise them.

How Adoptive Families Are Screened and Approved Before Adoption in Maryland

Every family in our network has completed an extensive approval process before they're even allowed to create a profile.

You can focus on your goals and dreams, knowing your child will have all the opportunities in the world with a wonderful family.

American Adoptions requires all prospective adoptive parents to complete:

• A home study conducted by a licensed social worker who evaluates their home environment, financial stability, relationships and readiness to parent
• Background checks including criminal history, child abuse clearances and fingerprinting for all adults in the household
• Personal references from friends, family and employers who can speak to their character
• Medical evaluations to confirm they're physically and emotionally prepared for parenthood
• Financial reviews to verify they can provide for a child's needs
• Training sessions that prepare them for the realities of adoption and open relationships with birth families

Only families who pass every requirement are approved to adopt. By the time you're looking at profiles, you're seeing families who have already proven they can provide a safe, loving and stable home.

Adoption Finalization and Parental Rights in Maryland

Understanding the legal timeline helps you know exactly when adoption becomes permanent and what your rights are during that process.

Want to Stay in Touch? How Open Adoption Works in Maryland

You don't have to say goodbye forever. Most birth mothers today choose some level of openness that allows them to watch their child grow up while respecting the adoptive family's role as parents.

Maryland supports open adoption through post-adoption contact agreements.

These agreements outline what kind of communication will happen after placement and can include:

• Photos and letters sent through your adoption specialist several times per year
• Phone calls or video chats on a schedule that works for both families
• In-person visits at parks, restaurants or other neutral locations
• Social media connections where you can see updates in real time

The level of openness is entirely up to you. When you're choosing an adoptive family, you'll see what type of relationship they're comfortable with.

American Adoptions will help you find a match that shares your preferences.

Open adoption benefits everyone. Research shows adopted children who have contact with their birth families have stronger self-esteem and fewer questions about their identity.

Life After Adoption: What Support Is Available for Birth Parents?

Your adoption specialist doesn't disappear after placement. American Adoptions provides lifelong support for birth parents at no cost to you.

Counseling services:

Placing a child for adoption brings up complex emotions that can surface immediately or years later. You'll have access to professional counseling both before and after placement to help you process grief, celebrate your decision and work through any challenges that arise.

Financial assistance:

Birth mother expenses in Maryland can be covered throughout your pregnancy and for up to six weeks after placement.

This includes:

• Rent and utilities
• Groceries and household items
• Maternity clothing
• Transportation to appointments
• Medical bills not covered by insurance

Mediation for open adoption:

If communication with your child's adoptive family becomes difficult, American Adoptions can step in to help. We'll mediate conversations, clarify expectations and ensure both families feel respected and heard.

Peer support:

Many birth mothers find comfort in connecting with others who have walked the same path. American Adoptions can connect you with support groups and other birth parents who understand what you're going through.

Life after adoption looks different for everyone, but you never have to navigate it alone.

How American Adoptions Supports You Before, During and After Adoption

American Adoptions has decades of experience helping birth mothers in Maryland create adoption plans.

Our team understands that this decision comes with fear, hope, love and uncertainty all at once.

Here's how we support you through every step:

Before placement:

• You'll work with a dedicated adoption specialist who answers your questions, explains your options and helps you feel confident in your choices.
• You'll review waiting family profiles and choose the adoptive parents who feel right
• You'll create a hospital plan that honors your wishes for how much time you want with your baby
• You'll receive financial assistance to cover living expenses during pregnancy

During placement:

• Your specialist will be available by phone 24/7 in case you need support
• We'll coordinate with hospital staff to ensure your birth plan is followed
• We'll facilitate the meeting between you and the adoptive family if you choose to meet
• We'll handle all legal paperwork so you can focus on healing

After placement:

• Counseling services remain available whenever you need them
• Your specialist will continue facilitating communication between you and the adoptive family
• You'll have access to support groups and peer connections
• Your adoption specialist becomes a trusted advocate who understands your story and respects your choices.

You get to choose the perfect family for your child, and we make sure that family provides the love and stability you envisioned.

Ready to Learn More About Adoption? Connect with American Adoptions Today

Wondering what happens to your baby after adoption is one of the hardest questions you'll face.

The answer is simple: your child will be loved, safe and surrounded by opportunity with the family you choose.

You don't have to have everything figured out. Call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist about your circumstances, or fill out our free online contact form to get started.

 

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