FAQs for Birth Mother Services
Q. CAN I KEEP MY ADOPTION A SECRET?
A. It is your personal choice! However, it's not always easy to keep an adoption plan a secret. Only you know how your family and friends will react and whether they may or may not support your decision. You need to do what's best for you and your baby.
Q. WILL MY INFORMATION BE KEPT PRIVATE?
A. Yes. Everything you share with us is confidential. The only people that will know about your adoption are the people that you choose to share it with. We ask for your permission and release of information when we must share necessary information to facilitate an adoption.
Q. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
A. There is no cost to you. All our services that we provide to you are completely free. Any adoption agency or attorney expenses are covered by the adopting parents. In addition, adoptive parents may cover pregnancy related expenses, such as medical expenses, maternity clothing, housing, and transportation, depending on the laws of the state where the birth mother resides.
Q. CAN I HAVE AN OPEN ADOPTION?
A. It's your choice to have an open, semi-open or closed adoption. We will explore the options with you so you can decide what's best for you.
Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN ADOPTION AND CLOSED ADOPTION?
A. In an Open Adoption birth parents and the adoptive family can meet each other and share information. You can arrange to have ongoing contact through written communication or in person visitation. The agreement is made between you and the adoptive parents. Almost all private adoptions in the United States are open.
In a Closed Adoption birth parents and adoptive parents choose not to meet or share identifying information either before or after the baby is born. If you prefer, you can have AFFI choose the family for you based on the information that you have provided about the family you want for your baby.
Q. CAN I CHOOSE THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY?
A. Yes. You have the right to choose the adoptive family for your child. You will have the opportunity to look at profiles, talk over the phone and meet in person to choose the adoptive family.
Q. CAN I GET INFORMATION ABOUT MY CHILD LATER?
A. Yes. Open adoptions allow the birth mother to keep in touch with the adoptive family throughout the child’s life. We will help you select a family who shares your vision of openness for the future.
Q. HOW DO I KNOW THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS ARE GOOD PEOPLE?
A. We only work with adoptive parents that have been approved to adopt. The approval process is thorough, including criminal background checks, medical clearances, extensive application documents and multiple interviews, all of which lead to a home study report completed by a social worker. All adoptive parents participate in training around issues of adoption, parenting, and the importance of being open with children about their history.
Q. CAN I TALK TO AND MEET THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS?
A. Yes. You can get to know the adoptive parents as much or as little as you want. Many birth mothers and adoptive parents continue to exchange pictures and updates after the baby arrives, which helps everyone stay connected. Ongoing relationships can include visits as well. We will make sure you select a family that is open to the level of future contact you desire.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I GO INTO LABOR BEFORE SELECTING ADOPTIVE PARENTS?
A. We will work together to help you select adoptive parents that will be at the hospital before the baby is discharged. You will not have to bring your baby home and your baby will not go into foster care.
Q. DOES AFFI WORK WITH PREGNANT WOMEN OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA?
A. Yes. We work with pregnant women throughout the U.S. and can connect you with adoptive families in California.
