If you're pregnant and can't afford a baby, you're not alone—and you have options.

In Utah, you can receive financial assistance through state programs, local organizations, and adoption agencies like American Adoptions, which can cover your rent, utilities, medical bills, and other living expenses while you decide what's best for you and your baby.

Below, we'll walk you through every option available when you're pregnant and can't afford a baby in Utah—from state assistance to how adoption financial support works—so you can make the choice that's right for your situation.

I'm Pregnant and Can't Afford a Baby – What Are My Options?

Financial stress during pregnancy is common. The cost of raising a child can be overwhelming when you have other financial strains, and feeling scared about money is one of the most common reasons women consider adoption.

Option 1: Parent with Financial Support

Utah offers several assistance programs if you want to raise your baby but need financial help:

• Medicaid for pregnancy and delivery coverage
• WIC (nutrition assistance)
• TANF (cash assistance for families)
• SNAP (food assistance)
• Housing assistance programs

Option 2: Temporary Help from Family or Community

• Moving in with family temporarily
• Church or nonprofit assistance
• Community resources and support networks
• Income-based medical payment plans

Option 3: Adoption with Full Financial Support

If you're considering adoption, you can receive comprehensive assistance covering things like:

Explore adoption options in Utah.

Where to Find Financial Help During Pregnancy in Utah

If you want to parent but need financial support, Utah offers several programs:

Utah Medicaid:

• Covers prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care
• Covers your baby's medical care after birth
• No cost or low cost depending on income
• Apply at medicaid.utah.gov

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children):

• Provides healthy food for pregnant women and infants
• Nutrition education and breastfeeding support
• Find your local WIC office

TANF (Family Employment Program):

• Cash assistance for pregnant women and families
• Job training and employment support
• Apply through Utah Department of Workforce Services

SNAP (Food Stamps):

• Monthly benefits for groceries
• Available to pregnant women and families
• Information can be found here

Housing Assistance:

• Contact local community action agencies

How Adoption Financial Assistance Works for Parents Considering Adoption

You can receive significant financial support throughout your pregnancy—and it's completely legal and ethical.

Who Pays: The adoptive family covers your pregnancy-related expenses, distributed through American Adoptions to ensure everything is legal and proper under Utah law.

What's Covered: Utah law allows adoptive families to assist with reasonable living expenses related to your pregnancy, including things like:

How Long Support Lasts:

• Assistance typically begins when you match with a family
• Continues throughout pregnancy and delivery
• May extend up to 8 weeks after delivery according to Utah law

Worried this sounds "too good to be true"? This support exists so financial stress doesn't force your decision—it's removed so you can choose freely what's best for you and your baby.

Learn about birth mother financial assistance.

Do Birth Mothers Get Paid for Adoption in Utah?

No. Adoption is not a financial transaction.

The assistance you receive is for pregnancy-related living expenses and medical care, not payment for your child.

What financial assistance IS:

• Support ensuring you're housed, fed, and healthy
• Help with medical bills for proper prenatal care
• Relief from financial stress for clear decision-making
• Recognition that pregnancy creates extra expenses

What financial assistance is NOT:

• Payment or compensation for placing your baby
• Income or profit
• A financial incentive to choose adoption
• Something you "owe" for

Utah law is clear: Adoptive families can assist with reasonable, pregnancy-related expenses but cannot pay you for your child.

Does Adoption Cost Money for Birth Mothers in Utah?

No. Every service through American Adoptions is 100% free to you.

Many people don't realize birth mothers never pay for adoption services—yet many women avoid exploring it because they assume they can't afford it. The truth is the opposite: adoption can actually help you afford pregnancy.

Learn about costs for pregnant women.

Living Expenses Covered for Birth Mothers in Utah

Utah law allows adoptive families to assist with reasonable living expenses directly related to your pregnancy and adoption.

Utah permits assistance with things like:

Housing & Utilities:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Security deposits if needed
• Essential utilities

Medical Expenses:

• Prenatal care and delivery
• Prescriptions and testing
• Postpartum medical care
• Mental health counseling

Basic Living Needs:

• Groceries and food
• Maternity clothing
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Communication costs

Legal & Professional Services:

• Attorney representation
• Counseling services
• Case management

All financial assistance must be:

• Documented with receipts
• Reasonable in amount
• Related to pregnancy or adoption
• Processed through a licensed agency
• Compliant with Utah law

Questions about expenses? Talk to a Utah specialist.

How American Adoptions Supports Birth Mothers in Utah

Before You Decide:

• Free counseling to explore all options
• No pressure to choose adoption
• Information about state programs if you want to parent

If You Choose Adoption:

• Financial assistance with rent, utilities, medical expenses
• Help selecting an adoptive family
• Creation of personalized hospital plan
• Legal representation at no cost

After Placement:

• Free counseling
• Support maintaining open adoption agreements
• Help navigating life after adoption

From the moment you reach out to years after placement, American Adoptions remains your partner—not just during the process, but for life.

How to Start the Adoption Process in Utah

Step 1: Reach Out Call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our form. You'll speak with a compassionate specialist who will listen without judgment and answer all your questions.

Step 2: Receive Financial Assistance Once working with us, financial support begins immediately for rent, utilities, groceries, and medical care.

Step 3: Choose an Adoptive Family Browse profiles, watch videos, have conversations, and select the family that feels right.

Step 4: Create Your Hospital Plan Decide how much time you want with your baby, who can be present, and how you want everything to unfold.

Step 5: Finalize When You're Ready Sign consent after the 24-hour waiting period, with legal representation protecting your rights.

Talk to an Adoption Specialist Anytime – 24/7 Support

You don't have to make this decision alone. You don't have to figure out how to afford pregnancy by yourself. You don't have to feel ashamed about your financial situation.

When you call:

• A compassionate professional answers 24/7
• Talk openly without pressure
• Get honest information about all options
• Receive immediate support and resources

Call 1-800-ADOPTION right now or fill out our form. Whether you're pregnant and can't afford a baby in Utah or just need someone to talk to about your options, we're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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.