Infant adoption: a life-changing experience

Once you have had the opportunity to ask your questions, Bethany’s staff will work with you through the home study process that is required and completed according to state law. Once approved, you will prepare your family profile—a collection of photos and details about your family's story. Expectant parents considering adoption use these profiles to gather information about the right family for their child.

The home study process is not only about gathering information about your family, but also a time to help you understand adoption from the perspective of everyone involved. Our staff provides supportive and personalized education to prepare you for this journey. You will also learn about adoption through recommended books, videos, webinars, and educational meetings.

Wait times for placement vary and depend primarily on when you are identified by an expectant parent considering adoption. Your willingness to develop a relationship with the birth family can shorten the length of time that you wait, as well as your openness to the various prenatal histories of expectant mothers.

Most expectant parents are actively involved in choosing the adoptive parents for their children. They often start by looking through prospective adoptive family profiles online. Bethany also partners with many hospitals, physicians, and pregnancy care centers so that expectant parents become aware that adoption is a life-affirming option and that there are many prospective adoptive families prepared to offer their child a safe home, including yours.

Sometimes placement occurs directly from the hospital. Other times, the baby may go to interim care - a safe, temporary home while the parents determine whether they will proceed with their adoption decision or parent their child themselves. We will walk with you throughout the placement process.

Your adoption will be finalized after the parents relinquish their rights and after a legally-required period of supervision, which varies from state-to-state.

Fees are based on the services Bethany provides and are typically collected at specific times throughout the process. You will receive a detailed explanation of fees prior to beginning the adoption process. You will also want to check with your tax advisor about the availability of the Federal Adoption Tax Credit and any state adoption tax credits that may offset costs.

Almost all adoptions have some level of openness or ongoing contact between the adoptive and birth families. We help both sets of families carefully consider the benefits and challenges that may come from open adoption relationships. The degree of openness is determined by the birth parent before placement. Some families are unsure about ongoing contact at first, but many adoptive parents discover that once they gain a better understanding of open adoption relationships and get to know the birth parents, they want to have an ongoing relationship for everyone's benefit.

Bethany is committed to providing post-placement services for adoptive families. During the required supervision period after placement, you will meet with your Bethany adoption specialist to discuss how you are adjusting to parenting a new child. In addition, we provide post-placement support, guidance, education, and referrals to other resources, if needed, long after your adoption is finalized.