BIRTH MOTHER SHARES HER STORY
We had the opportunity to chat with Davis, a birth mom, who placed her child with an adoptive family with the support of the Adoption Centre of British Columbia. Davis wanted to share her experience to help both birth and adoptive parents and her candid and real responses may answer some questions you have about adoption. We sincerely thank Davis for her honesty and generosity in sharing her story of love.
Frequently Asked Questions
A birth father can sign legal consent to the adoption with a lawyer any time after baby is born. A birth mother can sign legal consent once baby is at least ten days old. There is no cost for this lawyer appointment to the birth parent. The Adoption Centre of BC will arrange this appointment for you and your birth parent counsellor can attend the appointment with you for your support.
In B.C., a birth mother can revoke her legal consent up to 30 days after the baby is born. A written revocation notice will need to be provided to the agency before the 30 days has passed. A birth father can not change his mind once he has signed legal consent for the adoption.
Yes, you can choose the name for your child’s Registration of Live Birth. The adoptive parents will also have an opportunity to choose a name for their child.
Yes, you can. Along with your birth parent counsellor, you will make a hospital plan which will include how much time you want to spend with baby at the hospital, if you want family or close friends to come to meet the baby, and when you want the adoptive parents to come to the hospital and take over care and custody of the baby.
Just like birth mothers, we ask that birth fathers provide as much social and medical information as they are willing to share. If he is not involved in the adoption plan, birth mothers can provide any information about him that she knows. The birth father may be unknown/unacknowledged.
All approved adoptive parents have completed a home study with a registered social worker which includes a number of interviews and home visits, a house tour, references, medicals, criminal record checks, child protection checks as well as education about adoption.
We ask that you provide as much social and medical information about yourself that you are willing to share. We will also ask you to consent for your doctor to provide prenatal medical information, as well as information about the labour and delivery.
There is no cost for birth parents. You will receive birth parent counselling and support from one of our birth parent counsellors nearest to you while making an adoption plan.
Many birth parents choose open adoption so that you can receive email updates and pictures as well as occasional visits with the adoptive parents and baby.
As the birth parent(s), you will choose the adoptive parents for your baby by reviewing profile books and home studies of approved waiting adoptive parents. You will read all about their history, current relationships, lifestyle, employment, etc.
