An important part of adoption planning is the birth plan. The birth plan is how you want things to go from the start of labor through the birth of the child and leaving the hospital. Additionally, it includes the necessary paperwork required to release the baby to the adoptive family.
The birth plan is a crucial component of a comprehensive adoption plan. How the plan goes is up to you as the birth mother. Having a detailed plan can give you peace of mind and help others honor your wishes.
You may wonder:
- What is an adoption birth plan?
- What needs to be included?
- What are the options?
Let’s talk about adoption birth plans in Florida
What Is a Florida Adoption Birth Plan?
A Florida adoption birth plan is part of an overall plan for infant adoption. When you make the loving choice to place your baby for adoption, you decide how the process will go, within the requirements set by Florida law.
The birth plan specifically outlines how things will go at the hospital, including labor and after the baby is born.
Florida has laws that apply to parts of the process, such as a waiting period before you can sign the paperwork (Fla. Stat. § 63.082). But most of what happens at the hospital is up to you as the birth mother.
If I make an adoption birth plan, can I change my mind at the hospital?
Yes. A birth plan allows you to think about what you want to happen in advance. It makes it clear to everyone what your wishes are. You can always change your mind at the hospital—many moms do! But a birth plan ensures your wishes are known to everyone in advance.
What Does It Look Like at the Hospital When I Place My Child for Adoption?
When you place your child for adoption at the hospital, you give the child to the adoptive parents. You can do this however you choose, on the timeline that you choose. You may choose to have direct contact with the adoptive parents or no contact at all. They may or may not be involved during the birth. How much time you spend with the baby is also up to you.
After the baby is born, a social worker will help you sign the papers. In Florida, this finalizes the transfer of the child to the adoptive family.
What To Bring to the Hospital
Pack for the hospital in advance. Things to bring include:
- Comfortable clothing
- Phone and charger (with a long cord)
- Your driver’s license or ID card, if you have one
- Insurance or Medicaid information, if you have it
- Water bottle
- Lip balm
- Toiletries
- Glasses, contacts, related things
- Your own towel or pillow
- Entertainment (e.g., books, magazines, tablet or phone)
- Aromatherapy
- Portable fan
- Eye mask, earplugs
- Prescription medications
- Folder or envelope for documents
- An empty bag to take extra things home
- Copy of your birth plan
- Snacks (salty, sweet, protein, and healthy)
You may not want all these things. Some people are happy using the hospital’s socks and towels, for example. But your own things may make you more comfortable.
Clothing
You may spend a few days in the hospital. You’ll want a bathrobe, nightgowns, or pajamas that button in the front. Comfortable socks with grip can help on the slippery hospital floors.
Toiletries
Bring whatever will make you feel comfortable. Maybe it’s travel sizes of your usual shampoo and conditioner, or your own hair products and blow dryer. Whatever makes you feel like you, bring it with you. Pack a hairbrush, hair ties, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and other daily toiletry items.
Who Will Be There as a Support Person
As the birth mother, you decide who you want with you during labor and delivery. Questions to ask yourself are:
- Do you want the father present?
- Do you want your parent or parents there during labor?
- Are there other supportive people you want with you?
- Should the adoptive parents be in the room with you, should they wait outside, or do you want them to be contacted when the baby is born?
- If the adoptive parents are present during labor, do you want them to step out during delivery?
Who is with you during labor and delivery is entirely up to you.
Your Birth Plan
In addition to parts of your birth plan that are specific to adoption, your birth plan should address the birth itself. As you learn about childbirth, consider:
- What are your options for pain management?
- Is there a position you prefer for giving birth?
- What mobility do you want, such as walking, squatting, grab bars, or a birthing ball?
- How do you want the lighting? Do you want music or aromatherapy?
- Do you want continuous fetal monitoring or intermittent monitoring?
- How will you incorporate religious or cultural traditions that are important to you?
Some of these decisions might depend on what’s best for you medically. Others are a matter of preference.
Care for the Baby After Birth and Throughout Hospitalization
After the baby is born, you decide how much time to spend with the baby and how to interact with the adoptive parents.
You may choose to hold the baby first. The adoptive family can come into the room if you choose, but it’s common for them to be in a room down the hall.
You can choose to:
- Have the baby in your room the entire time until you are discharged.
- Share time with the baby with the adoptive family. You can give the child back and forth, or a third person can facilitate shared time.
- Have the adoptive family care for the baby the entire time you are in the hospital.
Most birth mothers spend some time with their child after birth, but it is entirely up to you.
Who chooses the baby’s name?
When the birth mother is not married at the time of birth, the birth mother selects the child’s name in full for the original birth certificate. You may discuss the baby’s name with the adoptive family and enter a name that you agree on. But there will be a new birth certificate after the adoption, and the adoptive parents may choose a new legal name, if they choose (Fla. Stat. § 382.013).
Signing Consents
Part of your Florida adoption birth plan will include signing the adoption paperwork at the hospital. In Florida, you can sign 48 hours after the child is born or when you’re medically fit for discharge, whichever is earlier.
A case worker will bring you the paperwork, which will say “CONSENT TO ADOPTION” in at least 12-point, bold type. The paperwork states your rights and what it means to place your baby for adoption.
There will be witnesses and a notary public present when you sign the paperwork. You will receive a copy of the paperwork (Fla. Stat. § 63.082).
Even if you’re under 18, you have the power to consent to adoption. If you’re 14 or younger, you need a parent, guardian, or guardian ad litem to witness your consent.
Once you sign the consent paperwork, you have officially placed your child for adoption. The baby can be given to the adoptive parents to take home.
Discharge
When your paperwork is complete and you are fit for discharge, you can leave the hospital. The adoptive parents will handle the court filings to finalize the adoption. The court will review the paperwork and issue a final order (Fla. Stat. § 63.089, § 63.142).
After the adoption is complete, the state will issue a new birth certificate (Fla. Stat. § 63.152). The original birth certificate is a non-public record (Fla. Stat. § 63.162).
Next Steps
You may seek counseling after the birth to help process grief and what has happened. If you have an arrangement for post-birth involvement, such as sending letters or gifts to your child, you may do these things.
Changes to your birth plan
Know that you can make changes to your birth plan. It’s common for birth mothers to change their minds—it may be your first time giving birth, after all. It’s normal for your feelings and opinions to change, and that’s okay.
Talk About Your Florida Adoption Birth Plan
At Gulf Coast Adoptions, we spend hours talking to birth mothers at no charge. We serve the core areas of Pensacola, including the 32501 and 32507 zip codes. We also serve the surrounding areas, including 32514, 32526, 32533, 32534, 32535, 32561, and 32563 zip codes.
Our team is happy to assist you wherever you are located in Escambia County and throughout Florida. Call or message us now.