You can give your baby up for adoption at any point during your pregnancy, right after delivery at the hospital, or even weeks or months after bringing your baby home in Maryland.

This guide explains Maryland's adoption consent laws, what happens at different timing points, and how we support birth mothers from the moment they reach out through the months and years that follow.

Fill out our free contact form to connect with an adoption specialist who can answer your specific questions.

Choosing Adoption While You're Still Pregnant in Maryland

Starting the adoption process during pregnancy gives you the most time to create the adoption plan that feels right for you. Maryland law allows you to begin adoption planning at any point during pregnancy.

When you start early, you have more time to:

• Browse profiles of waiting families, get to know them through phone calls or meetings, and build a relationship before your baby arrives
• Carefully consider what the hospital plan should look like and what kind of relationship you want to maintain through open adoption after placement
• Receive financial assistance with living and medical expenses that Maryland law permits throughout your pregnancy, including help with rent, utilities, groceries, and maternity clothes

Your adoption plan is a written document that outlines your preferences: the type of family you want, how involved you want to be at the hospital, what happens after birth, and how often you want updates or visits. Nothing moves forward without your input and approval.

Can I Choose Adoption Right from the Hospital in Maryland?

Yes. Some women don't finalize their decision about adoption until they're in labor or shortly after delivery. Maryland hospitals work with adoption agencies to make sure birth mothers receive immediate support, even when the decision comes at the last minute.

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

• An adoption specialist can meet you there to explain your options and coordinate next steps
• Hospital staff work with the agency to ensure your baby is cared for while placement arrangements are made
• Hospital adoption procedures provide support during this emotional time

In Maryland, you can sign consent to adoption any time after your baby is born. Once you sign, the consent is valid right away. But you have 30 days to change your mind for any reason. After those 30 days pass, the adoption becomes final.

During that 30-day window, your baby will usually be placed with the adoptive family you chose. If you haven't picked a family yet, American Adoptions will help you find the right match quickly. You can still revoke your consent during this time if you need to.

Choosing Adoption After Birth in Maryland

It's not too late to choose adoption if you've already brought your baby home. Whether it's been days, weeks, or even months, you can still create an adoption plan and find a loving family for your child.

Birth mothers choose adoption after taking their baby home for many reasons. Sometimes the reality of parenting feels different than expected. Sometimes circumstances change: a relationship ends, financial struggles intensify, or the emotional weight becomes too much.

Whatever your reason, placing a baby for adoption after bringing them home is a valid choice that many women make.

The Process of Adoption After Birth in Maryland

The process looks similar to adoption planning during pregnancy, but often moves more quickly. You'll work with an adoption specialist to choose a family, create an adoption plan that reflects your wishes, and coordinate the placement.

Maryland's consent laws still apply, so you'll have that 30-day period after signing to make sure adoption is the right path forward.

Adoptive families understand that these situations happen, and American Adoptions works with families who are ready to welcome a baby on short notice. You can focus on your goals and dreams, knowing your child will have all the opportunities in the world with a wonderful family.

The Maryland Adoption Laws Every Birth Parent Should Know

Maryland has specific legal requirements that protect birth parents and ensure the adoption process is handled ethically:

Understanding these laws helps you make informed decisions. Your adoption specialist will explain how they apply to your specific situation and make sure every legal requirement is handled properly.

Learn more about Maryland adoption laws to see how they affect your adoption plan.

Am I Ready? Balancing Your Feelings with Legal Adoption Timelines

Emotional readiness is just as important as legal eligibility, and only you can decide when the time is right.

Some women know from early pregnancy that adoption is their choice. Others need the entire pregnancy to process their feelings. Some don't feel certain until after giving birth and experiencing what parenting actually requires. All of these timelines are normal, and none makes your decision any less valid.

Questions to ask yourself as you think about timing:

• Have I explored all my options (parenting, adoption, other support resources)?
• Do I understand what life might look like after placement?
• Am I making this choice because I believe it's best for my baby, or because I feel I have no other option?

You don't have to have all the answers right now. Part of working with American Adoptions means having access to free counseling throughout your pregnancy and after placement.

A counselor can help you work through these questions at your own pace, with no judgment about where you land.

The emotions of adoption are complex, and grief is a natural part of the process for many birth mothers, even when they know they've made the right choice. Understanding this ahead of time can help you prepare for what comes next and know that support will be there when you need it.

How American Adoptions Supports You At Every Step

American Adoptions provides comprehensive support from your first phone call through life after adoption and beyond:

• 24/7 Availability: You can reach an adoption specialist any time, day or night. If you're in labor at 2 a.m. and suddenly know adoption is your choice, someone will answer the phone and help.
• Free Counseling: Licensed counselors are available throughout your pregnancy, during placement, and for as long as you need support afterward. These sessions are confidential and focused entirely on your emotional well-being.
• Adoption Planning: Your specialist will walk you through every decision, helping you understand your options, consider what feels right, and put together an adoption plan that honors your wishes. Nothing happens without your approval.
• Choosing a Family: You get to choose the perfect family for your child. Browse profiles, read letters, watch videos, and learn about their lives. You decide what matters most, whether that's their values, their home, their approach to parenting, or the relationship they want with you.
• Financial Assistance: Maryland law allows adoption agencies to help with certain pregnancy-related expenses. Depending on your needs, this can include rent, utilities, groceries, maternity clothes, and medical bills. Learn more about financial support available in Maryland.
• Hospital Support: Whether you choose adoption before delivery or decide at the hospital, we coordinate with medical staff to make sure you receive respectful, compassionate care. Your specialist can be there if you want the support.
• Post-Placement Contact: Open adoption allows you to maintain a relationship with your child and their adoptive family through pictures, letters, phone calls, or visits. Whatever feels right for everyone involved works. This ongoing connection is part of choosing a brighter future for your child while still being part of their story.

You'll get personal care you deserve from your adoption specialist so that you feel safe during your journey. This isn't a transaction. It's a deeply personal decision that deserves to be treated with the dignity and support it requires.

Fill out our contact form or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with someone who understands Maryland adoption laws and can help you figure out the next right step for you and your baby.

 

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.