If you are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and feel as though you are not able to care for the baby, you may have chosen to put the child up for adoption. If you find yourself in this situation, this guide on how to put a baby up for adoption will show you how.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical or legal financial advice. Please contact your doctor and/or legal adviser before using the information presented here.

• If you or your partner has become pregnant and you feel as though you will be unable to provide the care the child requires, you may decide to put the baby up for adoption. There are thousands of couples who are available and eager to become adoptive parents. Although you have made your first difficult decision, there are still more ahead, since there are different types of adoption and different ways to go about giving up your child.

(Creative Commons photo by Pink Moose)

• Adoption procedures and regulations are overseen by state, not federal governments. Therefore, the laws surrounding adoption differ from state to state. In some states, minors need to have their parents' permission to give a baby up for adoption. In most states, both parents, provided that the father's identity has been established, must agree to give up the child.

• The best way to navigate through the laws surrounding adoption and decide what type of adoption is right for you is to seek out counseling from someone familiar with the process. Your family doctor, local family planning agency or the Child Welfare Information Gateway should be able to connect you with an adoption counselor.

1. Closed adoption: The birth parents relinquish all their rights to the child and have no contact with the child or its adoptive parents

2. Open adoption: The birth parents choose the adoptive parents. The birth and adoptive parents may choose to have ongoing contact and, depending on the agreement, the birth parents may have contact with the child

3. Agency adoption: The adoption proceedings are handled by a state-licensed adoption agency, which assists in making the legal and medical arrangements. The adoption agency often provides counseling to both the birth and adoptive parents

4. Independent adoption: Specialized adoption lawyers handle all the legal arrangements

5. For a list of adoption agencies or professionals in your area, consult the National Foster Care & Adoption Directory.

• Making the decision to give your child up for adoption is a difficult one, but there are several organizations and agencies that will provide you with adoption counseling and information. Do your research and find out what type of adoption is right for your situation, as your decision will potentially impact the lives of not only you and your partner, but also your baby and the baby's adoptive parents.

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