To give you the best care possible, we’ll need confirmation of your pregnancy, due date, and prenatal medical records. A medical release form will be necessary to obtain these records.

Involving the baby’s father in the adoption process can benefit everyone involved. With your consent, he can actively participate in meetings alongside you, our social worker, and the chosen adoptive family. If needed, counseling can also be provided to support this process. However, we understand that there are circumstances where the birth father may not be involved, cannot be located, or should not be part of the adoption journey.

We respect the rights of birth fathers, and we’re experienced in handling situations where their involvement varies. Whether the birth father’s participation is limited or not possible, we’ll manage all necessary legal aspects to ensure a seamless adoption process. Your unique situation is crucial to us, and the more details we understand, the better we can tailor our support to meet your needs effectively.

You’ll review potential adoptive family profiles, and you can select the one you feel is best for your baby. Each family has undergone a thorough screening and is well-prepared to provide a loving home.

Once you have looked through the profile and have chosen a family or a few families, we can have you speak with them. Often, we facilitate a phone call or online meeting. You can decide which family meets your desires. Once you feel confident in your decision, you can start communicating online and getting to know one another even better.

Some women prefer having less contact with the adoptive family, and we honor that decision, too.

We’ll assist you in creating a hospital plan, including preferences for the baby’s stay in your room, naming the baby, visitor restrictions, and other considerations. We’ll also coordinate with the hospital staff to ensure they understand your adoption plan.

When you go into labor, notify us. If you want, the chosen adoptive family will come to the hospital to meet the baby. We will support you during and after delivery, ensuring everything goes smoothly.

Some birth mothers want to be induced so they can better plan. Whatever feels the most comfortable to you is what we will support.

Often, adoption documents are signed a day or two after birth. These documents MUST be signed before you or the baby is discharged. You will sign a consent, giving Heart to Heart Adoptions authority to place the child for adoption with the family you choose.

Often, adoption documents are signed a day or two after birth. These documents MUST be signed before you or the baby is discharged. You will sign a consent, giving Heart to Heart Adoptions authority to place the child for adoption with the family you choose.

Hopefully, you feel confident in your decision about the adoption and the potential adoptive family by the time you give birth. However, the District of Columbia allows you the opportunity to change your mind for two weeks from the day you sign placement.

Until the adoption is finalized, Heart to Heart Adoptions is the guardian of the baby. During this interim, usually six months, a social worker will visit with the adopting family and the baby at least three times and will file written reports describing the baby and the new home. Finalization can be completed after six months.

Reasonable and necessary living expenses include:

• Housing expenses.
• Essential utilities such as electricity, water, or telephone bills.
• Food for the birth mother and any minor children residing with her.
• Transportation expenses related to medical appointments or essential errands, such as gasoline or bus fares.
• Medical costs associated with the pregnancy and childbirth.
• Childcare or foster care services if the birth mother is unable to care for her children due to hospitalization or other reasons.

However, it’s important to note that reasonable and necessary living expenses do not cover:

• Expenses already covered by your existing resources.
• Expenses for supporting other family members, except for minor children residing with you.
• Costs related to recreational or leisure activities.
• Purchase of a vehicle.

After the delivery, our social worker will contact you based on your preferences. We can arrange counseling services and finances for a few weeks. We’re committed to assisting you in the foreseeable future.

The process of putting a child up for adoption in the District of Columbia may initially seem overwhelming. However, rest assured that Heart to Heart Adoptions has experience helping you get your life back together while taking care to know your baby is doing great.