One of the hardest parts of considering adoption is wondering what will happen to your baby after you sign consent. Will they be safe? Will they be loved? Where will they go immediately after placement? These questions are natural, and you deserve clear, honest answers.

In New Hampshire, when you place your baby for adoption through American Adoptions, your baby goes directly to the pre-screened adoptive family you've chosen—not to foster care or temporary placement. The family has already completed extensive background checks, home studies, and preparation to ensure they can provide a safe, loving, and stable home.

Get free information today to learn exactly what happens after adoption in New Hampshire and how American Adoptions ensures your baby's wellbeing every step of the way.

This article will walk you through the entire process—from the moment you sign consent through finalization and beyond—so you can make your decision with confidence and peace of mind.

What Happens to My Baby after Adoption in New Hampshire?

Understanding the timeline and process can help ease some of your anxiety about what happens after you place your baby for adoption.

At the hospital:

If you're planning adoption ahead of time, the adoptive family may be at the hospital when you give birth (if you want them there). After delivery, you'll have the time you've requested with your baby according to your hospital plan. This might be a few hours, a day, or longer—it's entirely your choice.

When you're ready, the adoptive family will take the baby into their care. Hospital staff will work with your adoption specialist to ensure the transition happens smoothly and respectfully. Some birth mothers want to hand the baby directly to the adoptive parents, while others prefer to say goodbye privately before the family takes the baby. There's no right or wrong way—only what feels right for you.

Legal discharge:

In New Hampshire, you cannot sign consent to adoption until at least 72 hours after your baby is born. This means that even though the baby leaves the hospital with the adoptive family, you haven't yet signed the legal documents terminating your parental rights.

During this time (before you sign consent), you still have the legal right to change your mind. If you decide you want to parent, the adoptive family will return the baby to you.

After signing consent:

Once you sign consent to adoption, the baby continues living with the adoptive family while the legal process moves toward finalization. The adoptive parents have physical custody, and you've terminated your parental rights, but the adoption isn't technically final until a judge signs the adoption decree—which typically happens several months later.

During this period, if you chose an open adoption, you'll likely start receiving updates from the adoptive family according to the communication plan you established.

Who Takes Care of My Baby After Adoption Consent?

Your baby goes directly to the adoptive family you've chosen—not to foster care, not to a temporary placement, and not to strangers.

Why your baby doesn't go to foster care:

In private infant adoption through American Adoptions, foster care is not part of the process. The adoptive family has been preparing for months (sometimes years) to welcome your baby into their home. They've completed all required screenings and have been approved to adopt. They're ready to provide immediate, permanent care.

Foster care is typically used in situations where children are removed from unsafe homes by child protective services, birth parents' rights have been involuntarily terminated, or children are awaiting permanent placement while their legal status is determined.

None of these apply to private infant adoption. You're voluntarily choosing a family for your baby, and that family takes custody immediately.

Pre-approved and ready:

The adoptive family has been fully vetted and approved before they're even matched with you. This means they've completed a home study, they've passed criminal background checks, their home has been inspected for safety, they've been financially evaluated to ensure stability, they've completed required training and education, and they have support systems in place.

You can feel confident that your baby is going to a family that's been thoroughly prepared to provide excellent care from day one.

How Adoptive Families Are Screened and Approved Before Adoption

American Adoptions maintains rigorous screening standards to ensure every family in our program can provide a safe, loving, and stable home.

The home study process:

Every adoptive family must complete a comprehensive home study conducted by a licensed social worker. This process typically takes several months and includes:

Background checks: Criminal history checks, child abuse registry checks, and fingerprinting for all adults living in the home. Any concerning history disqualifies a family from adopting.

Home inspection: A social worker visits the family's home to ensure it's safe, clean, and appropriate for a child. They check for safety hazards, adequate space, and proper preparation for a baby.

Financial review: Families must demonstrate financial stability—not that they're wealthy, but that they can provide for a child's needs without financial stress. They submit employment verification, tax returns, and financial statements.

Personal references: Friends, family members, employers, and others provide references about the family's character, stability, and suitability for parenting.

Medical evaluations: Family members undergo medical examinations to ensure they're healthy enough to care for a child.

Interviews: The social worker conducts multiple interviews with the family, both together and individually, to assess their motivation for adopting, understanding of adoption and its challenges, parenting philosophy and approaches, relationship stability, support systems, and ability to provide a nurturing home.

Education requirements:

Adoptive families must complete adoption education courses covering topics like understanding birth parent emotions and experiences, talking to children about adoption, supporting children's identity development, managing open adoption relationships, and recognizing and addressing adoption-related trauma.

Ongoing evaluation:

Even after approval, families are monitored during the waiting period and after placement. Social workers conduct post-placement visits to ensure the child is thriving and the family is receiving needed support.

This extensive screening process ensures that only families who are truly prepared and capable are approved to adopt. You can learn more about adoption requirements through the New Hampshire DCYF adoption resources.

Adoption Finalization and Parental Rights in New Hampshire

Understanding the legal timeline helps you know what's happening at each stage after you sign consent.

Immediate period (0-72 hours after birth):

You cannot legally sign consent until at least 72 hours have passed since birth. During this time, you maintain full parental rights even if the baby is with the adoptive family.

Consent signing:

When you sign consent to adoption in New Hampshire, you're voluntarily terminating your parental rights. This document must be properly witnessed according to New Hampshire legal requirements. You should have your own attorney review it with you before signing.

Post-consent period (before finalization):

After you sign consent, the baby continues living with the adoptive family, but the adoption isn't yet final. During this period, your parental rights have been terminated, the adoptive family has physical custody, and post-placement visits by social workers ensure the baby is thriving.

Your attorney can explain New Hampshire's specific laws about any rights you may have after signing consent and under what circumstances those rights might apply.

Finalization hearing:

Several months after consent (the timeline varies but typically ranges from 6-12 months), the adoptive family and their attorney go to court for the finalization hearing. A judge reviews the case to ensure all legal requirements have been met, consent was given voluntarily and properly, and the adoption is in the child's best interests.

If everything is in order, the judge signs the final adoption decree. At this point, the adoption is permanent and legal. The child's birth certificate is amended to show the adoptive parents as the legal parents.

Your involvement in finalization:

As the birth parent, you typically do not attend the finalization hearing. However, some states and judges allow birth parents to attend if they wish. Your adoption specialist can explain whether this is an option in your case.

You can learn more about New Hampshire adoption laws or state-specific adoption information through the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Want to Stay in Touch? How Open Adoption Works

Many birth mothers worry that choosing adoption means never seeing their child again. While that was true in the past, most modern adoptions are open or semi-open, allowing for ongoing contact between birth parents and adoptive families.

What is open adoption?

Open adoption refers to any adoption arrangement where there's some level of contact between the birth family and adoptive family after placement. This can range from:

Fully open: Regular in-person visits, direct contact (phone calls, texts, video chats), and an ongoing relationship where the child knows their birth mother.

Semi-open: Indirect contact through the agency, such as letters and photos exchanged periodically, without direct contact information being shared.

Closed: No contact after placement (this is rare in modern domestic infant adoption).

Choosing your level of contact:

When you work with American Adoptions, you'll discuss what level of contact feels right for you. Then, when reviewing adoptive family profiles, you can see what type of openness each family is comfortable with and choose a family whose preferences align with yours.

Some birth mothers want frequent contact and a close relationship. Others prefer less contact, especially in the early years. Neither choice is wrong—it's about what feels healthy and sustainable for you.

How contact typically works:

In the early years, contact often includes photos and updates (monthly, quarterly, or on birthdays and holidays), letters or emails sharing milestones, video calls for special occasions, and in-person visits (annually, for birthdays, or more frequently depending on the agreement).

As the child grows, the relationship often evolves. Many open adoption relationships become deeper and more meaningful over time as everyone adjusts.

Important note about enforceability:

In New Hampshire, open adoption agreements are not legally enforceable. This means the agreement is based on the good faith and commitment of the adoptive family. American Adoptions carefully screens families for their openness to contact and works to facilitate healthy relationships, but there's no legal requirement for families to maintain contact.

That said, the vast majority of families who commit to open adoption follow through on their agreements. They understand how important this relationship is for their child's wellbeing and identity development.

If you're interested in open adoption, make sure to choose a family that genuinely embraces it, not one that's only willing to consider it.

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

Placing a child for adoption doesn't mean you're on your own. American Adoptions provides ongoing support to help you heal and navigate life after placement.

Post-adoption counseling:

You'll continue to have access to free counseling after you sign consent. This support helps you process grief and loss, work through complicated emotions like guilt or doubt, develop healthy coping strategies, navigate relationships with family and friends, and manage triggers like your baby's birthday.

Counseling can continue for as long as you need it—there's no cutoff date. Some birth mothers need intensive support in the first few months, while others check in occasionally for years.

Financial assistance after placement:

In New Hampshire, birth mother financial assistance can continue for up to six weeks after placement. This gives you time to physically recover from childbirth and adjust emotionally before needing to return to work or school.

This extended support can cover rent and utilities, food and basic necessities, medical follow-up appointments, and transportation.

Your adoption specialist can explain exactly what's covered under New Hampshire law and help coordinate this support.

Mediation for open adoption contact:

If you're in an open adoption and experiencing challenges with contact (too much, too little, or miscommunication), American Adoptions can help mediate. We can facilitate conversations between you and the adoptive family to get the relationship back on track and ensure everyone's needs are being met.

Peer support:

Connecting with other birth mothers who understand your experience can be incredibly healing. American Adoptions can connect you with:

• Birth Mother Baskets - Care packages and peer support
• Birth Mom Buds - One-on-one mentorship connections
• CUB (Concerned United Birthparents) - Support groups and resources
• r/birthparents on Reddit - Online community

Long-term support:

Even years after placement, you can reach out to American Adoptions for support. Whether you need help navigating a change in your open adoption relationship, you're experiencing grief on your child's birthday, or you just need someone to talk to, we're still here.

You can also contact New Hampshire 2-1-1 for additional local support services and counseling resources throughout the state.

How American Adoptions Supports You Before, During, and After Adoption

American Adoptions is committed to supporting birth mothers throughout the entire adoption journey—from the moment you first reach out through the years after placement.

Before placement:

• 24/7 availability: Call anytime, day or night, to speak with an adoption specialist who can answer questions and provide emotional support
• Free counseling: Work with licensed counselors who specialize in adoption to explore your feelings and options
• Family selection: Review profiles of pre-screened families and choose the one that feels right for your baby
• Financial assistance: Receive help with pregnancy-related expenses according to New Hampshire law, including rent, utilities, medical bills, and other needs
• Hospital planning: Create a birth plan that honors your wishes for the delivery and placement experience
• Legal support: Work with your own attorney who represents your interests separately from the adoptive family's

During placement:

• Hospital coordination: Your adoption specialist coordinates with hospital staff to ensure your plan is followed and your wishes are respected
• Emotional support: Counselors are available during the most difficult moments of placement to help you through
• Immediate contact (if desired): If you've chosen open adoption, you can receive photos and updates right away

After placement:

• Ongoing counseling: Free counseling continues for as long as you need it to process grief and navigate healing
• Extended financial support: Living expense assistance can continue for up to six weeks after placement
• Open adoption facilitation: We help maintain healthy communication between you and the adoptive family
• Long-term availability: You can reach out for support years later—we don't disappear after finalization

We understand that placing a child for adoption is one of the hardest decisions you'll ever make, and you deserve support every step of the way.

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

If you're wondering what happens to your baby after adoption in New Hampshire, you now have a clearer picture of the entire process—from placement through finalization and beyond.

Your baby will go to a family that's been carefully screened and prepared to provide immediate, loving care. You'll have the opportunity to stay in touch through open adoption if that's what you want. And you'll have ongoing support to help you heal and find peace with your decision.

Contact American Adoptions today to speak with an adoption specialist who can answer your specific questions about adoption in New Hampshire. We're available 24/7, and there's no pressure or obligation—just honest answers and compassionate support.

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