Has your girlfriend just told you she’s pregnant and going to place your baby for adoption? Or maybe it’s your wife who wants to do adoption, after years of struggling to make ends meet. In any case, you might be wondering, “does the father have a say in adoption?”
The answer is definitely “yes”! Here at Lifetime, we encourage birth fathers to be a part of the adoption planning. The term “birth father” refers to a man whose baby or child is placed with an adoptive family. Today, we’re giving you info about your choices and rights in modern adoption!
We believe that it’s just as important for you to know your adoption rights as it is for her. Right now, your family might be pressuring you to “step up” and be a man, to fight the adoption.
Adoption Isn’t Giving Up
Lifetime has heard many men say they feel like adoption is a “cop-out.” They don’t want to admit any weakness, including the fact that they might not be able to provide for a child. These men say that they feel like adoption isn’t the best choice because it means they’re “giving up.”
People choose adoption not because they don’t love (or want) their child. Adoption is the choice they make because they love their child so much that they want to give him or her a bright future, something that they might not be able to provide at that point in their lives.
Adoption Isn’t Saying Goodbye
With open adoption, you’re able to remain a part of your child’s life and see them growing up. So, adoption definitely isn’t goodbye forever! Birth fathers are able to feel pride in the decision, and see the blessing that adoption is for their child. “Adoption was the best choice we could have made for our child…we were able to give our daughter a mom and a dad who are excited to provide her with everything she needs and wants,” says one birth father. By playing an active role in the adoption plan, many birth fathers have shared that they are glad they put their child’s needs above theirs.
Learning Your Rights
As a birth father, you have the same rights that the birth mother does. You can fully participate in the adoption at whatever level you want to. Just like your baby’s mother can, you’re able to interview adoptive couples and ask them questions. What kinds of questions?
You could ask about their parenting style, jobs, family structure, lifestyle, and even about their hobbies. You’re able to interview several adoptive families and meet with them, too.
Birth fathers have rights, too. Each state has their own laws and requirements about your responsibilities and rights. So it’s best to speak with an attorney who specializes in adoption law if you have questions.
Lifetime recognizes that the adoption decision can be as difficult for you as it is for your baby’s birth mother.To talk with an Adoption Coordinator about an adoption plan for your child, just call Lifetime at 1-800-923-6784.
To talk with an Adoption Coordinator about an adoption plan for your child, just call Lifetime at 1-800-923-6784.
Lifetime provides continued pregnancy and adoption support to birth moms from all over. This includes birth mothers right here in Florida, like Terri. Last year, she posted on Facebook about 
Learning that you’re pregnant unexpectedly sure brings up a lot of emotions. You might be worried about how to tell your boyfriend you’re pregnant and thinking about adoption. You might be thinking about keeping your pregnancy a secret to him then keeping him in the dark about the adoption process. Today, we’re going to talk about why that’s not such a great idea.
Lots of us have been there: standing in line to pay for a pregnancy test. It doesn’t matter if the test is for a friend or a “friend,” it’s as if you can feel the panic in the air.
Wondering what exactly is a “safe haven”? Safe Haven laws allow a parent give up their unwanted baby privately. With these laws, moms can drop their baby off at a safe haven location, as long as their baby hasn’t been abused. Safe Haven laws began so that babies wouldn’t be left in places like dumpsters or public toilets.
Tons of questions pop up. Who can you tell? Who can help you through the next few months of your pregnancy? What will people say? Will they be happy for you or disappointed in you?
If you know that adoption is the best choice for both you and your baby, then having an adoption plan in place before you go into labor is a good idea. But what if you don’t decide until really late in your pregnancy that adoption is best? Or what if you go into labor and then decide on adoption?
Question: “Right now, I’m 30 weeks pregnant, and I’m looking at 
If you’ve just learned that you’re pregnant or aren’t that far along, know that you can start the adoption process now. Most women aren’t 100% sure adoption is right for their situation when they call Lifetime. You don’t have to be committed to adoption before you contact us.
Choosing adoption isn’t an easy decision to arrive at. Some women don’t contact Lifetime to learn about adoption until the final weeks or days of their pregnancy. We have women call us from the hospital in the beginning stages of labor, more often than you’d think! If your due date is near, you might be wondering, “Is it too late to give my baby up for adoption?”
Today, we’re sharing honest answers to 5 adoption myths about choosing adoption for your baby:
