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Adoption is a tough process for a mother as it results in the relinquishment of your child to another family. However, in some situations, completing an adoption can allow for your child to have the best life possible. Whether your pregnancy was unplanned or you do not have the financial means to care for a baby, consider an adoption if safe haven laws do not exist in your state. If you are concerned about the cost of an adoption, most (if not all) of your costs are paid for by the adoptive parents. This includes support costs, medical costs, and legal costs. If you think adoption would be a good option for you, or if you have more questions, contact a professional adoption agency. These professionals will help you understand the process, make plans, and fill out the required paperwork. There are multiple professional agencies in every state. Start by doing an online search for adoption agencies in your state. In addition, you can call your state's department of children's services to get more information. With your adoption professional by your side, work together to make an adequate adoption plan. Your professional will explain all of your options to you. For example, you might want to ask about open and closed adoptions. In an open adoption, you will have varying degrees of access to information about your child as he or she grows up. This might include physical contact, pictures, letters, or phone calls. In a closed adoption, you will not have any access to information about your child. These decisions can be made by you alone, but it is best to discuss these options with the adoptive family you choose. Ultimately, for the adoptive family to agree to the adoption, they will have to agree to your adoption plan. If you are still pregnant, your adoption plan might include labor plans, hospital plans, and ways to get help paying for the pregnancy (if the adoptive parents are not paying). These plans may also help you find food, housing, and maternity clothes while your pregnancy is happening. While many parents do not like to search for adoptive families, doing so can help ensure your baby will have a happy and healthy home. When you are working with an adoption agency, talk with them about what you are looking for in an adoptive family. The adoption agency will then send you information about possible adoptive families. Look through this information to learn about their careers, interests, parenting style, and other important information. A lot of adoption agencies require the adoptive parents to go through home studies and background checks before they will be eligible to adopt. Once you decide on a family, you can choose to meet them in-person or over the phone. This will give you an opportunity to get to know the family better and make sure it is a good fit. Make sure you address any concern you have before moving forward. Once you agree on an adoptive family, that family will file a court action to formalize the adoption. Once the action is brought, you will be asked to sign a consent form, which indicates your willingness to go through with the adoption. Return your consent form to the adoptive parents once it has been filled out. In most states, if consent has been given by the biological parents for the adoption, you will either not have to go to any court hearings. If you do, they will be very informal and the judge will simply want to make sure you know what rights you are giving up. Go to your court hearings, if you have any, and be prepared to express your willingness to go through with the adoption. Relinquishment papers finalize the adoption and relinquish most, if not all, of your parental rights to the adoptive parents. Adoption agencies often provide services for mothers after relinquishment papers have been signed. Because giving your child up for adoption can be tough, adoption agencies will often offer emotional support and classes to help you cope with your decision. Some agencies will help you get in contact with other mothers who have gone through adoptions themselves. Use these resources to help you get through the emotions of putting your child up for adoption.
Decide if adoption is right for you. Call an adoption professional. Create an adoption plan. Find an adoptive family. Consent to the adoption in court papers. Go to any required court hearings. Sign relinquishment papers.