Why It’s Never Too Late to Choose Adoption for Your Child

If you are considering adoption, you know more than anyone else that making an adoption decision doesn’t happen overnight. For some, this process requires several days or weeks, but for others it requires months of thought, research, self-reflection and patience before coming to a decision.

So, if you are late in your pregnancy and feel like you are running out of time to make a decision, you may be asking: “Is it too late to give my baby up for adoption in South Carolina?”

We will tell you the same thing we’ve told hundreds of others: Don’t worry. It’s never too late to choose adoption for your child.

Whether you’re choosing adoption late in your pregnancy or putting a baby up for adoption after birth, Thompson Dove Law Group are here to help. Give us a call or text us at 864-680-8038 or contact us online anytime to get started.

In the meantime, learn a bit more about deciding to “give your baby up” for adoption last-minute with our firm’s assistance.

How is the Process Different for a Last-Minute Adoption Plan?

Whether you are late in your pregnancy or have already given birth, we will guide you through your adoption process. In most ways, this journey is the same as if you had chosen it early in your pregnancy. However, there are a few details that will be slightly different.

  • Finding a Family: You may ask, “When is it too late to find adoptive parents for my coming baby?” Whether you are days away from your due date, at the hospital, or have already given birth, you still have 100 percent control in who becomes your baby’s forever family. Your social worker will get to know you and will present you with adoptive parents’ profiles who match your wishes. Even if you feel like your time is limited, we don’t want you to rush to choose a family. There is no legal deadline for finding an adoptive family and putting a baby up for adoption after birth in South Carolina.
  • Financial Assistance: Even if you have already given birth, your adoption will still cost you nothing. The adoptive family will cover all of your medical, legal and counseling expenses. Furthermore, if you choose to work with our firm, Thompson Dove Law Group will help you receive living expenses allowed by South Carolina adoption law, based on your circumstances.
  • Support – No matter when you consider adoption, we will be with you every step of the way. We have social workers throughout South Carolina who will help answer any of your questions, help you with everyday tasks, assist you with finding the perfect adoptive family, be there for you at the hospital, and support you as long as you need after the adoption is completed.

Examples of Last-Minute Adoption Plans

Here are some of the scenarios in which Thompson Dove Law Group have assisted women who feared it was too late to choose adoption:

  • A woman is a few weeks away or less from her due date: The most common last-minute adoptions are by pregnant women who’ve decided on adoption and are mere days away from giving birth. As indicated above, there isn’t much difference between these situations and the women who choose adoption early in their pregnancies.
  • A woman is at the hospital: While not as common, mothers have contacted us from the hospital and even from their hospital beds, ready to move forward with an adoption plan. Some already have an adopting family in mind, while others require our services to help them find that perfect family.
  • The baby has already been born or is several weeks or months old: There are scenarios where a mother may have initially considered adoption but ultimately chose to parent. However, after weeks or months of parenting, she finds the challenges too great. She may choose to pursue a private adoption with our firm. While these situations are extremely difficult emotionally, and rare, they can and do happen. You can put your baby up for adoption after you’ve had him or her, and our legal team will be there to help.

Do I have to take the baby home while I am considering adoption?

When we are contacted by expectant mothers who are close to their due date or at the hospital and considering a last-minute adoption in South Carolina, we are often asked if they have to take the baby home because they waited to reach out to us. The answer to that question is no.

A mother should make the decision for her child that she feels most confident about, whether that be adoption or parenting. If, after the child is born, you feel you need more time to consider your options, we can provide “cradle care” for your baby at no cost to you. Cradle care is a term we use for families who can provide a safe temporary place for your baby while you take the time you need to make an informed decision. These families do not work for DSS.

If you eventually decide that adoption is the best decision, your baby can be placed with the adoptive family you selected. If you decide to parent your baby, we can return the child to you.

Everyone and every situation is different.  Because of this, there is not a “best” time to make a final decision about adoption.  The legal and procedural aspects remain the same, so it is never too late for adoption in South Carolina. An adoption plan can be considered at any point during your pregnancy, and you will never be legally bound to that outcome until you decide it is the right decision for you.

We are here for you regardless of how early or far along you are in your pregnancy or how old your child currently is. We can help you find the right situation for you and your child, whether you’re considering adoption late in pregnancy or considering “giving your baby up” for adoption after birth. No matter your situation, you will always receive the care and support you need.

Contact us today confidentially and with no obligation to find out how we can help.

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