If You Give Your Baby Up for Adoption, Can You Get it Back?

In most situations, you won’t be able to have your parental rights reinstated after signing your adoption consent. That’s why ensuring you’re confident in your decision before finalizing the adoption is crucial.

Contact an adoption professional today to find out if adoption is the right choice for you and your baby.

Although the answer to the question “Can you get your child back after adoption” is no, you always have the option to:

• Change your mind before terminating your parental rights
• Choose to maintain a relationship with your child through an open adoption

Changing Your Mind About Adoption

You can always change your mind about adoption before you sign away your parental rights. While the answer to the question, “Can I get my baby back after adoption?” is no, there are many instances where you can stop the adoption process before you sign the finalization paperwork.

If My Baby Isn’t Born, Can I Change My Mind About Adoption?

Yes. You may be asking this question for several reasons. Most commonly, the following:

• You are concerned that contacting an adoption agency means you can’t change your mind about adoption
• You’ve already started working with a hopeful adoptive family

You can always contact an adoption agency for help or call an adoption hotline for advice.

If you change your mind and decide to become a parent, your adoption professional can connect you to different resources for your parenting journey.

Can I Change My Mind About Adoption at the Hospital?

Yes. You still have plenty of time to change your mind about adoption, even if you’re at the hospital. It is never too late to choose parenting at the hospital, just as it is never too late to choose adoption.

Because your adoption decision can take longer than you may think it will, you might not know if you’re ready for the process until your child’s birth. Because of this, most states require you to wait for a period of time  before you can consent to the adoption.

Once you’re fully prepared and are comfortable that the answer to the question, “Can you get your child back after adoption?” is no, you’ll sign the consent for adoption and finalize the process.

Is Adoption Always Permanent? Can You Get Your Baby Back After Adoption?

If you’re considering adoption because you hope to get your baby back later, you might want to look into temporary guardianship.

With a temporary guardianship, you can:

• Pick who you want to care for your child
• Decide how long the guardian should care for your child depending on your situation

A temporary guardianship can give you time to find a job, locate stable housing, and get back on your feet.

Choosing Open Adoption

Now that you know that the answer to the question, “Can you get your baby back after adoption?” is no, and you are comfortable moving forward, you’re likely starting to think about the type of relationship you’d like to build with your child.

If you want to get regular updates and want to be part of your child’s life, you will want to choose to have an open adoption.

What is Open Adoption?

An open adoption is when the birth mother, her child, and the adoptive family stay in regular contact after the adoption. Everyone has each other’s contact information, too.

Is Every Open Adoption the Same?

No. The open adoption process is different for every family because every relationship is unique. The shape your adoption relationship takes is up to you.

In determining your adoption relationship, you will have to consider the following:

• Pre-placement contact: After you have selected an adoptive family, you will usually have a preliminary phone call, which will be mediated by your adoption professional. As you get to know each other, you can schedule more phone calls and keep each other informed through email. You’ll usually meet an adoptive family in person at least once before your baby is born.
• Your hospital plan: As your due date approaches, the time will come to create a hospital plan. Your plan will include the kind of delivery experience you want, but it will also let the adoptive family know what they can do to help you have the best possible hospital experience.
• Your post-placement relationship with your child: Once the baby has arrived and placement has occurred, it’s time to start looking ahead to your budding relationship with your child. How much contact you have depends on the agreements you and the family made and can include picture and letter exchanges, email or phone updates, and visits.

Can I be Sure the Adoptive Family Will Stay in Contact With Me?

Yes. In some states, post-placement contact agreements are legally enforceable; in states where they are not, your adoption professional will hold the adoptive family accountable and ensure they keep their word.

Talk to an Adoption Professional Today

If you want to ask an adoption professional, “Can you get your child back after adoption?” and discuss your options, reach out to us today.