When you're considering adoption in Virginia, one of the most important questions on your mind is probably: "What happens to my baby after adoption?" It's natural to worry about your child's future, their safety, and whether they'll be loved and cared for.

When you choose adoption through American Adoptions, your baby goes directly to a loving, pre-screened adoptive family, not into foster care. You have control over every aspect of the adoption process, including choosing the perfect family for your child and deciding how much contact you want after placement.

We'll walk you through exactly what happens, from the hospital to finalization and beyond.

Who Takes Care of My Baby After Adoption Consent

One of the biggest concerns you may have is whether your baby will end up in foster care or with strangers. With American Adoptions in Virginia, that never happens.

Your baby goes straight from the hospital to the adoptive family you've chosen, the same family you've gotten to know throughout your pregnancy.

Here's what happens after you give consent:

If you're still pregnant and wondering about timing, you might want to explore our resources on adoption for unborn babies or even same-day adoptions if you're closer to your due date.

How Adoptive Families Are Screened and Approved Before Adoption

Before any family can adopt through American Adoptions, they go through one of the most thorough approval processes in the country.

Home Study: Every adoptive family completes a comprehensive home study conducted by a licensed social worker. This includes:

• Background checks (criminal, child abuse registry, and FBI fingerprinting)
• Financial reviews to ensure stability
• Home safety inspections
• Personal references from friends, family, and employers
• Psychological evaluations in some cases

Interviews and Education: Families attend adoption education classes and participate in multiple interviews to assess their readiness to parent. Social workers evaluate their motivations, parenting philosophy, support system, and ability to provide a nurturing environment.

Medical Clearance: Adoptive parents must provide medical documentation showing they're in good health and can care for a child long-term.

Ongoing Support: Even after approval, families work with American Adoptions and receive guidance on creating a welcoming home for your baby.

When you browse family profiles on our website, every family has already completed this process. You're choosing from families who have proven they're ready to love and support your child.

Adoption Finalization and Parental Rights in Virginia

Understanding the legal side of adoption in Virginia can help ease your mind about what happens after you give consent. Here's the timeline:

Consent: In Virginia, birth mothers can legally consent to adoption when the child is at least 3 days old. This waiting period gives you time to recover physically and emotionally before making your final decision.

Revocation Period: Virginia law provides a 7-day revocation period after consent is signed. During this time, you have the legal right to change your mind. However, if your child is at least 10 days old and you have independent legal counsel, you can waive this 7-day period. After the revocation period passes, your consent becomes irrevocable.

Finalization: After the revocation period ends, the adoptive family files a petition for adoption in Virginia court. The finalization hearing typically occurs 6-12 months after placement. At this hearing, a judge reviews the case and issues a final adoption decree.

Birth Certificate: After finalization, Virginia issues a new birth certificate listing the adoptive parents. The original birth certificate is sealed, though it can be accessed by the adopted person once they turn 18 if both parties register with Virginia's Adoption Reunion Registry.

Throughout this entire process, American Adoptions works with experienced Virginia adoption attorneys who ensure everything is handled correctly. You'll also have your own legal representation at no cost to you.

Want to Stay in Touch? How Open Adoption Works

Will I ever see my baby again after adoption? The answer depends entirely on what you want. With American Adoptions, you decide how much contact feels right.

Open adoption is the most common choice today, and here's what it can look like:

• Pictures and Updates: Most adoptive families share photos and letters throughout your child's life. You might receive updates monthly in the first year, then quarterly or annually as your child grows.
• Video Calls: Some birth mothers and adoptive families enjoy video chats on birthdays or holidays. This allows you to see your child in real-time and maintain a meaningful connection.
• In-Person Visits: If you're comfortable with it, you can arrange visits with your child and their adoptive family. These might happen once or twice a year, or more frequently.
• Flexibility Over Time: Open adoption agreements are often informal and can evolve as your child grows. American Adoptions helps mediate these conversations so everyone's needs are considered.

When you create your adoption plan, you'll discuss your contact preferences with potential adoptive families. American Adoptions helps you find a family that shares your vision for openness.

Support Doesn't End After Placement

Choosing adoption doesn't mean you're on your own afterward. American Adoptions provides ongoing support for birth mothers in Virginia long after placement:

• Post-Adoption Counseling: Grief, relief, pride, and loss. All of these emotions are normal after placing a child for adoption. We offer free counseling services for as long as you need them.
• Financial Assistance Continues: In Virginia, birth mother financial assistance doesn't stop the moment you give birth. You can receive help with living expenses for up to six weeks after placement.
• Mediation for Contact: If questions or concerns arise about your open adoption agreement, American Adoptions can help facilitate conversations. Our goal is to ensure everyone honors the relationship in a way that serves your child's best interests.
• Community and Connection: We can connect you with support groups and resources like BEAM Support where you can connect with others who have made similar choices.

Your emotions after adoption matter, and we're here to help you navigate life after adoption.

How We Support Virginia Birth Mothers

Choosing adoption is never easy, but working with a national adoption agency like American Adoptions means you're never alone. Here's how we support Virginia birth mothers:

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

If you're ready to find an adoptive family in Virginia or want to talk through your options for giving your baby up for adoption in Virginia, we're here to help. You don't have to have everything figured out.

Call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist about your circumstances, or fill out our free online contact form.

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