In Pennsylvania, you have 30 days after signing consent to change your mind about adoption. This revocation period gives you time to process your decision while ensuring permanency for your baby.

After those 30 days, a judge will finalize the adoption, and the adoptive parents receive full legal custody. If you're feeling uncertain about adoption, that's completely normal. You deserve support and accurate information about your rights, no matter where you are in your decision.

Fill out our contact form today to get the support you deserve from an adoption specialist who understands what you're going through.

Adoption Consent in Pennsylvania: What Every Birth Parent Needs to Know

When you consent to adoption in Pennsylvania, you're making a legal agreement to place your baby with adoptive parents. This consent cannot be signed until at least 72 hours after birth, giving you time to recover physically and emotionally before making this important decision.

Your consent means:

• You're voluntarily choosing adoption for your baby
• You understand that adoptive parents will become your child's legal parents
• You're aware of your rights, including the 30-day revocation period
• You've had access to counseling and support throughout the process

Pennsylvania law requires both birth parents to provide consent unless one parent's rights have been terminated or they're legally unable to consent.

Your adoption specialist at American Adoptions will walk you through every detail, ensuring you fully understand what you're signing.

Can You Revoke Consent After Signing in Pennsylvania?

Yes, but only within a specific timeframe.

In Pennsylvania, you can revoke your consent within 30 days of signing the adoption papers. To revoke consent, you must provide written notice to the adoption agency and adoptive parents.

The revocation process includes:

• Filing written notice within the 30-day window
• Notifying all parties involved in the adoption
• Understanding that once you revoke, you resume full parental rights and responsibilities
• Working with legal counsel if needed (American Adoptions can connect you with resources)

After the 30-day revocation period ends, adoption consent becomes permanent.

The judge will finalize the adoption, and the adoptive parents receive full legal custody. At this point, you cannot get your baby back after adoption unless you can prove fraud, duress, or other extraordinary circumstances that would require court intervention.

This permanency protects your child's stability and the adoptive family's bond, which is why it's so important to be certain about your decision before the revocation period ends.

Why Hormonal Shifts After Birth May Trigger Second Thoughts

Right after giving birth, your body experiences dramatic hormonal changes. Estrogen and progesterone drop sharply while oxytocin and prolactin surge, triggering intense feelings of connection and protectiveness toward your baby.

These feelings are temporary. Most women experience the strongest hormonal fluctuation in the first two weeks postpartum, with gradual stabilization over the following weeks.

If you're experiencing doubt, know that this doesn't mean you made the wrong choice. Many birth mothers describe feeling conflicted immediately after birth, only to feel confident about their adoption decision once the hormonal intensity subsides.

Doubt Happens – Remember Why You Chose Adoption

Having second thoughts doesn't mean adoption is wrong for you. It means you're a caring mother who wants the best for your child. That's exactly why you began considering adoption in the first place.

Take a moment to reflect on what brought you to this decision:

• What circumstances led you to explore adoption?
• What hopes do you have for your child's future?
• What goals and dreams do you have for your own life?
• What kind of life do you want to provide for your baby?

You chose adoption because you wanted something better for your child – opportunities, stability, resources, a two-parent home, or whatever mattered most to you. Those reasons haven't changed, even if your emotions feel different right now.

While parenting is always an option you can choose, it's worth considering whether your situation has genuinely changed or whether you're responding to the intense emotions of this moment.

If you're feeling uncertain, don't make any rushed decisions. Talk to your adoption specialist, reach out to a counselor, and give yourself permission to process these feelings fully.

You deserve support during this time, regardless of what you ultimately decide.

Hear from Birth Mothers Who Have Been In Your Shoes

Hear more birth mother stories from women who chose adoption and how their lives have unfolded since.

After the Revocation Period: What Happens Next in Adoption?

Once the 30-day revocation period ends in Pennsylvania, the adoption moves to finalization. This is when the legal process reaches completion and your child's future with their adoptive family becomes permanent.

The finalization process includes:

This permanency gives your child stability and security with their adoptive family. If you chose open adoption in Pennsylvania, finalization doesn't end your connection. You can maintain agreed-upon contact through visits, photos, or letters.

What If I'm Still Unsure About Adoption?

Feeling uncertain doesn't mean you have to rush into signing consent. In fact, the opposite is true. Pennsylvania law is designed to give you time and space to be absolutely sure about your decision.

If you're still processing whether adoption is right for you:

• You can delay signing consent. The 72-hour waiting period after birth is a minimum requirement, not a deadline. You can wait days or even weeks before signing if you need more time to feel confident.
• You can access free counseling. American Adoptions provides birth mother counseling services at no cost to you. A trained counselor can help you work through your emotions, explore your options, and find clarity about what's best for you and your baby.
• You can talk to someone who understands. Your adoption specialist has supported hundreds of women through this exact situation. They won't pressure you or judge your feelings – they'll simply listen and help you explore what's driving your uncertainty.

The most important thing is that you make a decision you can feel confident about – not one driven by pressure or temporary circumstances. If you're not there yet, you don't have to force it. Give yourself permission to feel uncertain, to ask questions, and to take the time you need.

How American Adoptions Supports Birth Mothers

At American Adoptions, we've supported thousands of birth mothers through every stage of the adoption process – including the moments of doubt, fear, and uncertainty that you might be experiencing right now.

Here's how we walk alongside you:

• Personal Care from Your Adoption Specialist: You'll get personal care you deserve from your adoption specialist so that you feel safe during your journey. They're available 24/7 to answer questions, talk through concerns, and provide the emotional support you need.
• You Choose the Perfect Family: You get to choose the perfect family for your child. You'll review family profiles, meet potential adoptive parents, and select the family that feels right to you.
• Financial Support: We can help cover your pregnancy-related expenses, including rent, utilities, groceries, and maternity clothing. Learn about financial assistance for birth mothers in Pennsylvania.
• Counseling and Support: Free professional counseling is available before, during, and after the adoption process. If you chose open adoption in Pennsylvania, you can maintain contact through visits, photos, or updates.

Fill out our contact form to connect with an adoption specialist who can answer your questions about the revocation period, your rights, and what happens next. You can also call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with someone today.

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