Are you a birth mother considering adoption for an unplanned pregnancy in Baton Rouge? Or are you a couple who have decided to grow your family by adopting a baby? These are beautiful choices that many choose each year. However, knowing where and how to begin the process can be confusing — but don’t worry. St. Elizabeth Foundation, a Baton Rouge adoption agency, is here to help you through the adoption process. If you’re thinking about adoption or ready to begin, we’re here to help. Here’s what birth mothers and families who want to adopt can expect during the process.
A Mother’s Options for an Unplanned Pregnancy in Baton Rouge
Seeing a positive pregnancy test isn’t always a moment of joy. When someone finds out they’re going to have a baby and it wasn’t planned, it can feel surprising and scary.
At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we know you might be feeling a lot of emotions right now. Our adoption agency is here to help and support you. If you’re dealing with an unplanned pregnancy in Baton Rouge, our caring team will make sure you’re never alone.
If you’re considering placing your baby for adoption, here are the steps you can expect through St. Elizabeth Foundation.
Step 1: Contacting Our Agency
The first step is to contact us. For some people, this is the easiest part. For others, it can feel a little harder. You can get in touch however you like — call, email, or text us. Whatever works best for you!
Step 2: Speak With a Counselor
This next step is counseling. During these sessions, one of our experienced counselors helps you process the feelings that come with an unplanned pregnancy at our Baton Rouge agency. They will also go through all your options and help you determine the right choice for you.
Step 3: Choose an Adopting Family
If you do choose adoption, the next step is to choose a family for your baby. Because we want birth mothers to have as much choice as possible through St. Elizabeth Foundation, you pick the family your baby will be placed with.
Every family who wants to adopt a baby through our Baton Rouge adoption agency is carefully checked to make sure they’re safe and loving. This helps you know your baby will be placed in a happy and caring home.
Step 4: Get Pregnancy Assistance
As you continue with your pregnancy, our team is here to offer pregnancy assistance in whatever way possible. This could be living, medical, legal, or even counseling costs.
Step 5: Building Your Birth Plan
Mapping out your birth plan is a deeply personal process. This includes choosing the hospital for delivery, who you want with you in the delivery room, and whether or not you want time with your baby after the birth.
When making your birth plan, remember that what you need is the most important. You should feel comfortable and in control the whole time. Do what feels right for you, because you’re the one who knows best about your plan.
At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we’re here to support and guide you as you make your baby’s birth plan. We want you to feel good about your choices. Our team is here to make sure you get the support you need.
Step 6: Completing the Adoption
After the baby is born, we help you and your chosen family determine the final details of your adoption plan. This involves selecting the level of contact you will continue to have with the family through open, semi-open, or closed adoption.
Step 7: Care After Placement
Even after everything is said and done, you may face several lingering emotions from your adoption. Because we know this is a complex decision and process, our Baton Rouge adoption agency is still here after the birth to offer post-placement counseling.
The Process for Adopting Couples
At St. Elizabeth Foundation, adopting parents come from all walks of life. Whether you are choosing to adopt your first child, have struggled to have children, or want to expand your family, our team is here to encourage you on your journey.
There were over 280,000 U.S. adoptions in 2023 alone, and St. Elizabeth has helped place over 600 babies since opening in 1988. If you are ready to adopt, learn more about the seven-step adoption process for couples.
Step 1: Qualify for Adoption
Before you begin the process at St. Elizabeth Foundation, your family must first meet our qualifications. To qualify, prospective adoptive parents must be a married couple who have been married for at least five years.
Step 2: Complete Your Application
If you meet these qualifications, you can officially apply to begin the adoption process. However, the process can take some time. Be patient, and know that our team is here to support you.
Step 3: Complete Your Home Study
After we review this application, we then begin the home study process. Please be aware that this does take some time. Although this may feel frustrating for some, it allows us to confidently match expectant mothers with the best possible family for their child.
During the home study, you must complete a few important steps. This includes a background check, assessments of your emotional and relationship health, and a discussion of how you plan to parent your baby. A professional will also visit your home to inspect for safety and cleanliness.
Step 4: Complete Our Education Program
St. Elizabeth Foundation also offers an education program for adopting parents. This program helps you understand what it’s like to be an adoptive parent and clears up any wrong ideas people might have. It also shows parents how to talk to their adopted child about their adoption.
Step 5: Write Your Adoption Bio
The next step is to create a family profile book and a bio page for our website. Think of this as a scrapbook of all the important details you want to share with a birth mother. This book describes your family to birth mothers. Include information on your relationship, hobbies, traditions, immediate and extended family, and more. This is your chance to show the bright future you could offer a new baby.
Once a birth mother chooses you as the adoptive family for her baby, we will continue to the next steps.
Step 6: Know Your Legal Responsibilities
At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we help birth mothers decide how much contact they want to have with the adoptive family. They can choose open, semi-open, or closed adoption — meaning they can stay in touch a lot, a little, or not at all. We also explain the rules and responsibilities for everyone involved.
Step 7: Finalize Your Adoption
Once you’re chosen, it’s time to go to court to make the adoption official and bring your baby home. Our team will still be here to answer questions or help with any meetings for open adoption plans.
Begin the Process at Our Baton Rouge Adoption Agency Today
If you’re dealing with an unplanned pregnancy in Baton Rouge or are a couple thinking about adoption, we know this can be a tough time. But remember, you are not alone. Our team at St. Elizabeth Foundation is here to answer your questions and help you begin your adoption.
Feel free to get in contact with us today by calling 225-769-8888 or messaging us online. Our Baton Rouge adoption agency is here for you!