How Long after Adoption Can You Change Your Mind in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, you can revoke your consent to adoption within 72 hours after signing, or 72 hours after your baby's birth—whichever comes later.
Understanding how long after adoption can you change your mind gives you the clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for you and your baby.
Schedule a consultation today—because knowing your options is the first step toward feeling confident in your choice.
Below, we'll walk through Mississippi's adoption consent laws, what the adoption revocation period looks like, how your emotions may shift after birth, and how American Adoptions supports you every step of the way.
How Long Do I Have to Change My Mind After Adoption in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, you have 72 hours after signing consent documents or 72 hours after your baby's birth (whichever is later) to revoke your consent to adoption.
There's a difference between giving consent to an adoption and revoking that consent.
Consent is your formal agreement to place your baby for adoption. Revocation is your legal right to withdraw that agreement within the allowed timeframe.
Once the 72-hour revocation period passes, your consent becomes final. This timeline protects both you and your baby—giving you time to be certain while also providing stability for the adoptive family and your child.
Adoption Consent in Mississippi: What Every Birth Parent Needs to Know
In Mississippi, your consent to adoption is a formal legal document that you sign after your baby is born. According to Mississippi state law, consent cannot be given before the birth of your child.
When you sign consent, you're making the decision to place your baby for adoption. The document must be signed in front of witnesses and, in many cases, a judge or court official.
Can you get your baby back after adoption once you've signed consent? Yes—but only within the 72-hour revocation window. During this time, you have the legal right to change your mind for any reason. After that period ends, your consent becomes permanent.
Can You Revoke Consent After Signing?
Yes—but only within 72 hours after you sign or 72 hours after birth, whichever comes later.
What does a revocation of adoption consent look like?
In Mississippi, if you decide within this timeframe that you want to parent your baby, you would notify the adoption agency or attorney in writing. Once you revoke consent within the legal window, your rights as a parent are restored, and the adoption process stops.
This 72-hour period is designed to give you space to be absolutely certain. Mississippi law recognizes that you need time to process your emotions before that decision becomes final.
Why Hormonal Shifts After Birth May Trigger Second Thoughts
After you give birth, your body goes through a dramatic hormonal shift. During pregnancy, your hormone levels skyrocket.
Once your baby is born, those levels drop suddenly, which can trigger intense emotions and feelings of uncertainty.
Your body also starts producing oxytocin, often called the "bonding hormone." This hormone creates a strong maternal instinct and attachment to your baby. It's biology, not a sign that you made the wrong decision.
According to Tommy's, a pregnancy health organization, these hormonal changes can affect your emotional state for days or even weeks after birth. You might feel overwhelmingly sad or unsure—even if you were certain about your adoption plan during pregnancy.
These feelings are real, but they don't necessarily mean adoption isn't the right choice. Once your hormones stabilize, many birth mothers find that their original reasons for choosing adoption still hold true.
Doubt Happens—Remember Why You Chose Adoption
It's completely normal to have second thoughts, especially in those first few days after birth. Adoption is one of the most selfless, brave decisions a person can make.
Don't let temporary hormones or outside pressure make the decision for you. Take time to think clearly about what adoption would mean for your future—and your baby's.
If you're feeling uncertain, reconnect with the reasons you considered adoption in the first place.
Maybe it was about giving your baby a life you couldn't provide right now. Maybe it was about finishing school or building stability.
Whatever your reasons were, they were valid then—and they're still valid now.
We've worked with birth mothers who changed their minds at the last minute, only to reach out weeks later because they realized adoption truly was the best choice. We've also supported women who decided to parent, and we respected that decision completely.
Only you can know what's right for you.
Hear from Birth Mothers Who Have Been In Your Shoes
Will you regret giving my baby up for adoption? This is one of the most common fears, but you're not alone in these feelings. Many birth mothers have walked this path before you.
Angelica knew she wasn’t ready to raise a child when she learned about her pregnancy and ended up choosing adoption and found Keith and Jenn.
Angelica also described how she thought she'd feel empty after placement, but instead feels peace. She watches her child grow up and maintains a relationship with the adoptive family that works for everyone.
Angelica didn't make her decision lightly, and neither will you. But she found peace in knowing she had support, information, and the freedom to choose what was best.
After the Revocation Period: What Happens Next in Adoption?
Once the 72-hour adoption revocation period passes and your consent becomes final, the legal process moves forward. In Mississippi, the next major step is adoption finalization.
Finalization typically happens several months after placement. A judge reviews the case and legally finalizes the adoption, which means your parental rights are permanently transferred to the adoptive parents.
This permanency provides stability for your child. It means they grow up in a secure, loving home without uncertainty.
If you've chosen an open adoption, finalization doesn't mean you lose contact. Open adoption agreements allow for ongoing communication—letters, photos, phone calls, or visits—depending on what you and the adoptive family agree to.
Why Adoption Decisions Are Supported with Counseling
Choosing adoption brings up many emotions—hope, fear, sadness, relief, uncertainty. All of those feelings are valid, and you shouldn't have to navigate them alone.
American Adoptions provides free counseling to every birth mother we work with. Whether you're feeling conflicted during pregnancy, experiencing doubt after birth, or processing grief months later, you'll have access to a licensed counselor who understands this journey.
Counseling isn't about convincing you to choose adoption—it's about giving you a safe space to explore your feelings and make a decision that feels right to you.
Even after the adoption revocation period ends, support doesn't stop. Many birth mothers continue counseling for months or years after placement, and American Adoptions covers those sessions for as long as you need them.
What If I'm Still Unsure About Adoption?
If you're still feeling uncertain, that's okay. Uncertainty doesn't mean you're making the wrong choice—it means you need more information, support, or time.
No one at American Adoptions will ever pressure you. We're here to provide information and answer your questions—but the choice is always yours.
If you're not ready to sign consent, you don't have to. You can take more time. You can change your mind at any point during pregnancy or within the legal revocation period after birth.
We've worked with women who initially chose adoption and then decided to parent. We've also worked with women who took months to feel confident and ultimately moved forward with placement. Both outcomes are valid and supported with the same level of care.
If you're struggling with whether or not adoption is right for you, talk to someone who can help you think through your options without judgment.
How American Adoptions Supports Birth Mothers
At American Adoptions, we understand that choosing adoption takes courage. Whether you're early in your pregnancy or already holding your baby and feeling uncertain, we're here to support you.
Here's what that support looks like:
You're not just another case to us. You're a person going through one of the hardest decisions of your life, and you deserve respect, compassion, and honesty.
Get free, confidential information and speak with an adoption specialist who can answer your questions about Mississippi adoption laws, your rights, and your options.
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.
Meet Michelle — A Proud Birth Mom