If you're in labor, at the hospital, or have already given birth, it's not too late to choose adoption. In North Carolina, you can create an adoption plan at birth or after delivery, and you'll still have the opportunity to make the important decisions about your baby's future.

You don't have to make this decision alone. At American Adoptions, we'll meet you where you are, provide compassionate guidance without judgment, and help you create an adoption plan that reflects the future you want for your baby. Call 1-800-ADOPTION anytime to get started.

How Does Giving a Baby Up for Adoption at Birth Work in North Carolina?

Choosing adoption at birth in North Carolina starts with a conversation. Whether you're in labor, at the hospital, or recovering after delivery, an adoption specialist will take the time to understand your situation, explain your rights, and help you create an adoption plan that reflects your wishes.

The process can move quickly when needed, but you remain in control of every decision. When you create a last-minute adoption plan, your specialist will guide you through each step:

• Step 1: Understand Your Rights: We'll explain how adoption works in North Carolina, answer your questions, and make sure you understand every decision before moving forward.
• Step 2: Create Your Adoption Plan: Together, you'll talk about your situation, your baby, and the future you envision so you can choose the adoptive family and make a plan that reflects your wishes.
• Step 3: Coordinate Your Hospital Plan: We'll work with your hospital and medical team to communicate your preferences, coordinate with the adoptive family, and handle the necessary details so you can focus on yourself and your baby.

Throughout the process, your adoption specialist will be there to answer your questions, provide compassionate support, and guide you every step of the way. No matter how quickly your plan comes together, you'll never be pressured into making a decision, and our services are always free for expectant mothers.

Can I Pick the Adoptive Family When Giving My Baby Up for Adoption at the Hospital?

Yes. Even if you're creating an adoption plan at the hospital, you'll still choose the adoptive family who will raise your child. At American Adoptions, you'll have access to hundreds of thoroughly screened waiting families from North Carolina and across the country, allowing you to find the family that feels right for your baby.

Your adoption specialist will take the time to learn about your hopes for your child's future and the qualities that matter most to you. Whether you're looking for a family with other children, a certain lifestyle, shared values, or a specific level of openness, we'll help you review family profiles and choose the family that best reflects your wishes.

What If I Don't Want to Take My Baby Home From the Hospital?

If you've decided you don't want to take your baby home from the hospital, adoption can still provide a loving plan for your child's future. Many adoptive families are already approved and waiting to be matched, making it possible to create an adoption plan while you're still at the hospital. Your adoption specialist will help you every step of the way:

• Explore Waiting Families: Review print and video profiles of thoroughly screened adoptive families and learn about their values, lifestyle, and hopes for growing their family.
• Choose the Right Family for Your Baby: Select the adoptive family that reflects the future you envision for your child. Every decision is yours to make.
• Coordinate Your Hospital Plan: We'll work with your hospital and the adoptive family to ensure everyone understands your wishes and the transition goes as smoothly as possible.
• Receive Ongoing Support: Your adoption specialist will answer your questions, coordinate the details, and provide compassionate guidance throughout the process.

The timing of your match depends on your preferences and the type of family you're looking for. With hundreds of thoroughly screened waiting families across the country, American Adoptions can often help expectant mothers find the right family quickly, even when creating an adoption plan after delivery.

Do I Have to Sign Adoption Papers Right Away in North Carolina?

No. You should never feel pressured to sign adoption papers before you're legally and emotionally ready. In North Carolina, you cannot sign your consent until after your baby is born.

North Carolina law does not require a specific waiting period after delivery, but you must be able to give informed consent. Your adoption specialist and independent attorney will explain your rights, answer your questions, and make sure you understand every document before you sign.

After you sign your consent, North Carolina law provides a seven-day revocation period. During that time, you may change your mind, and if the seventh day falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day.

Can I Get Help With the Hospital Staff?

Yes. Your adoption specialist will communicate your hospital plan with your medical team so you can focus on yourself and your baby. We'll work closely with your doctors, nurses, and hospital social workers to ensure your wishes are understood and respected throughout your hospital stay. Your personalized hospital plan can include:

• Time With Your Baby: Decide how much time you'd like to spend with your baby after delivery, including whether you'd like to hold, feed, or care for them.
• Visitors and Support: Choose who is with you during labor and delivery and who is welcome to visit you afterward.
• Hospital Preferences: Share your wishes for when the adoptive family is involved, where your baby stays, and other details that are important to you.
• Discharge Planning: Create a plan for leaving the hospital that reflects your comfort level and supports a smooth transition.

Your adoption specialist will be there to advocate for your wishes, answer your questions, and provide compassionate support throughout your hospital experience.

Can I Choose Adoption After I Leave the Hospital?

Yes. Many people believe adoption is only an option before leaving the hospital, but that's a common misconception. In many situations, you can still choose adoption after you and your baby have gone home.

Whether you've been home for a few days, a few weeks, or longer, American Adoptions can help you create a personalized adoption plan. You'll still have the opportunity to choose the adoptive family, decide on the level of openness you'd like, and receive compassionate guidance throughout the process.

American Adoptions Can Help You Make an Adoption Plan Right Now

If you're considering adoption at birth, speaking with an adoption specialist can help you understand your options and create a plan that's built around your wishes. At American Adoptions, you'll receive:

• Experienced Adoption Specialists: Receive compassionate, 24/7 guidance from specialists who will answer your questions and support you throughout your adoption journey.
• A Nationwide Family Network: Choose from hundreds of thoroughly screened adoptive families to find the one that reflects the future you envision for your baby.
• A Personalized Adoption Plan: Make every important decision, from choosing the adoptive family to creating your hospital plan and deciding on future contact.
• North Carolina-Specific Support: Navigate the adoption process with guidance that follows North Carolina law and protects your rights every step of the way.

Call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our online contact form to connect with a compassionate adoption specialist today.

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