Pregnant and Considering Adoption in Pennsylvania? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re pregnant and thinking about adoption, you’re probably feeling a mix of emotions at the same time.

Choosing adoption may be an answer to what can feel like an impossible situation, and but it’s not always easy.

Considering adoption means that you are considering what is truly best for your child, and recognizing you’re not in a position to parent takes more courage than pretending everything is ok.

Need to talk this through? Call 1-800-236-7846 for free 24/7 counseling.

I’m Pregnant and Considering Adoption in Pennsylvania

Why women in Pennsylvania choose adoption:

• It’s completely free – You pay nothing
• You choose the family – You decide who raises your child
• Open adoption is possible – You can arrange ongoing contact
• You receive support – Financial assistance, counseling, medical care throughout pregnancy
• Your baby gets stability – A family prepared to provide opportunities you can’t right now

How the Adoption Process Works in Pennsylvania — Step by Step

Step 1: Contact an adoption agency

They’ll explain how adoption works and answer questions. No commitment.

Step 2: Create an adoption plan

Decide: open or closed adoption, what kind of family, preferences for contact after placement.

Step 3: Choose a family

Review profiles of screened families. Your specialist shows families matching your preferences. You decide.

Step 4: Receive financial support

Once matched, families typically provide assistance for pregnancy expenses, counseling, and living costs.

Step 5: Birth and hospital planning

You decide who’s present, whether you meet the baby, and how much time together before placement.

Step 6: Post-adoption life

If you chose open adoption, you’ll receive updates per your agreement. Adoption counseling continues as long as you need it.

How Do I Find an Adoptive Family for my Baby in Pennsylvania?

You actively select from families who have spent months or years preparing to adopt.

Tell your specialist what matters:

• Married or single parents?
• Religious background?
• Already have children?
• Where they live?
• Open or closed adoption?
• Values, lifestyle, education?

Your specialist shows profiles matching your preferences—photos, letters, information about their home, jobs, why they want to adopt, approach to parenting.

You choose. Not the agency. You.

What Happens to My Baby after Adoption?

Open adoption – Ongoing contact between you and the family:

• Photos and letters (typically a few times per year)
• Text or email updates
• Video calls
• In-person visits

Closed adoption – No contact after placement. Less common now but still an option.

Semi-open adoption – Communication through the agency rather than directly.

Your agency can help you find an adoptive family that shares your contact preferences.

Can I Choose Adoption after Birth?

Yes. Many women don’t decide until after the baby is born. Some don’t decide until they’ve taken the baby home.

You can:

• Choose adoption at the hospital
• Take the baby home and decide within days or weeks
• Change your mind during pregnancy

Working with an agency before birth helps—you’ll have support during pregnancy and a plan in place. But adoption is possible at any point.

Do I Have to Tell the Birth Father About the Adoption in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law requires notifying the birth father in most cases, but there are exceptions in some situations.

Your adoption agency will connect you with an attorney who handles your specific situation. The adoptive family covers all legal fees.

What You Can Expect from Life after Adoption as a Birth Mother

Life after giving your baby up for adoption will be different, and many birth mothers say it brings mixed emotions like grief, relief, and peace.

Grief is normal. You’re allowed to feel loss even though you chose this.

Many women value the support that they receive in the transitional phase:

• Post-adoption counseling – Ongoing therapy for birth mothers
• Birth mother support groups – Online and in-person
• Relationship with adoptive family – If you chose open adoption
• Time – Grief becomes more manageable

Many birth mothers feel peace knowing their child is growing up with stability they couldn’t provide.

Will I Get Support If I Choose Adoption?

Yes. When you’re pregnant and considering adoption in Pennsylvania, you receive:

• Financial assistance – Rent, utilities, groceries, maternity clothes, transportation, medical costs
• 24/7 counseling – Throughout pregnancy and after placement
• Help finding a family – Guidance through profiles and matching
• Hospital planning – Birth plan support and advocate at delivery
• Medical care coordination – Help accessing prenatal care
• Post-adoption support – Adoption counseling for as long as needed

All free. You pay nothing.

Learn How You Can Change Your and Your Baby’s Life

Choosing adoption means you love your baby enough to ensure they have what you can’t provide right now.

If you’re pregnant and thinking about adoption, talking through your situation helps you figure out if adoption is right.

Call 1-800-236-7846 now for free, confidential adoption support, or fill out this quick form.

Someone is available 24/7 to answer questions and help you decide what’s best.