When it comes to creating your adoption plan, there are multiple factors to consider, including your stay at the hospital. And for many birth mothers, this can be the most stressful time of their entire pregnancy.
“The delivery and hospital stay of the child and biological mother is a tender yet nerve-wracking time for everyone involved,” writes Annaleece Merrill, Adoption.com.
This is why it’s important to plan ahead to alleviate at least some of the stress. It is also important to relay your intentions to the hospital as early as possible.
Planning Your Hospital Stay
Different hospitals have different policies, so ask them for written instructions that you can carefully review. This way “you will be aware of what can or cannot be done at the hospital,” says Peter J. Wiernicki, Esq. “Careful planning and preparation will ensure that the wishes of all those involved, birth parents and adoptive parents, are respected and carried out, and that time spent together at the hospital will be remembered fondly.”
However, it is important to remember that all pregnancies are different and it’s impossible to predict exactly what will happen.
“I can guarantee that everything will not go exactly how you planned it,” says Merrill.
Some things will be out of your control. For instance, emergency C-sections are invasive surgeries and, therefore, require longer hospital stays than vaginal births. So, it can help to have a plan for both situations.
“Roll with the punches while sticking as close to the plan as is comfortable,” says Merrill. But here are a few things you may want to consider/ask ahead of time:
- Will the baby stay in the room with you or in the nursery?
- Will you have any contact with the baby after birth? Any one-on-one time?
- Will the adoptive family be present during the birth? During your hospital stay?
- Will you release the baby directly to the adoptive family? Can you?
Communicating Your Wishes to the Hospital
“The hospital should be notified of the adoption as far in advance of the birth mother’s due date as possible,” explains Wiernicki. If you are working with an agency, have them “coordinate with the hospital social worker to ensure an appropriate setting,” advises Wiernicki. The staff social worker assigned to the labor and delivery department will inform the nursing staff of the adoption so that your birth and adoption plans proceed as intended.
At Adoption Makes Family, we will work with you every step of the way to ensure your needs are met. We are a non-profit (501-C3) licensed adoption agency based in Maryland founded to meet the needs of birth parents and adoptive parents in a manner that is sensitive, compassionate, and personal. Our experienced professionals can help walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Call Us Now at (410) 683-2100
If you have any questions, you can contact us by phone at 410-683-2100, by e-mail at dr.kirschner@adoptionmakesfamily.org or use our online contact form.
Sources
- Merrill, Annaleece. “Guide To Hospital Etiquette For The Delivery Of Your Adopted Child.” Adoption.com, adoption.com/guide-to-hospital-etiquette-for-the-delivery-of-your-adopted-child.
- Wiernicki, Peter. “The Hospital Adoption Process – What You Need to Know.” Adoptive Families, 16 Oct. 2017, www.adoptivefamilies.com/adoption-process/hospital-adoption-process-need-to-know/.