Support for Birth Mothers

There's Financial and Emotional Assistance for You

Support for Birth Mothers

Your Home During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant and thinking about adoption, having a safe, comfortable place to live is so important. At Heart to Heart Adoptions, we make sure you have options for housing that work best for you.

A Story from Shawana

“I was real nervous about coming to Utah at first,” says Shawana. “But living in the Heart to Heart apartments turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. 

I met other girls going through the same thing as me, and we'd get together for movie nights and do crafts with our case manager, Sarah. It felt like having a family away from home."

“I heard some scary stories about pressure to place the baby, but that wasn’t true at all. My neighbor Ashley decided to parent her baby, and our case manager helped her get a flight home and everything. They treated her just the same as everyone else.”

“The family I chose for my baby – they’re just amazing. We still keep in touch, and I know in my heart I made the right choice for me and my baby.”

Support Available to You

Housing Options

  • Stay in your current home with financial support for rent and utilities
  • Move to our safe, furnished apartments near our offices
  • Live among other women who understand what you’re going through
  • Get help with moving expenses if needed

Daily Living Support

  • Food budget for groceries and basic needs
  • Help with transportation to and from appointments
  • Phone or internet assistance to stay connected
  • Utilities covered in Heart to Heart housing

Medical Care

  • We’ll help find caring doctors who understand adoption
  • All pregnancy-related medical expenses covered
  • Transportation to medical appointments provided
  • Support person can accompany you to appointments

Support for Your Children

  • Free daycare while you’re at medical appointments
  • Childcare available during your hospital stay
  • Help arranging school transfers if needed
  • Support for your children’s adjustment

Your Choices Matter

  • You choose your adoption plan
  • You decide who will be with you at the hospital
  • You can meet the adoptive family if you want to
  • You pick how much contact you want after placement

Counseling and Support

  • Free counseling before and after birth
  • 24/7 access to your case manager
  • Support groups with other birth mothers
  • Continued support after placement if you want it

Remember: Everything is your choice. Whether you decide to parent or place your baby for adoption, we’re here to support you. You can change your mind at any time – our support doesn’t depend on your final decision.

Luncheon for Birth Mothers. Lots of Laughter

Allowable expenses for birth mothers:

  • Most states have strict regulations on what expenses can be paid
  • Primary goal is to prevent baby buying or coercion
  • Expenses must be “reasonable and necessary”
  • Medical care related to pregnancy and childbirth
  • Prenatal and postpartum medical expenses
  • Health insurance coverage during pregnancy
  • Basic living expenses during pregnancy, including:
    • Rent or housing support
    • Utilities
    • Groceries
    • Maternity clothing
    • Transportation costs
  • Some states allow more comprehensive living expense support
  • Typically limited to:
    • Reasonable housing costs
    • Essential living expenses
    • Duration usually restricted to pregnancy and short postpartum period
  • Maximum amounts vary significantly by state
  • Legal representation costs
  • Independent counseling services
  • Adoption agency consultation fees
  • Typically fully covered in most states
  • Some states have more restrictive expense guidelines
  • Others allow more comprehensive support
  • Specific limitations include:
    • Maximum dollar amounts
    • Types of allowable expenses
    • Duration of financial support
  • Direct payments for relinquishing parental rights
  • Compensation for the child itself
  • Luxury expenses
  • Personal discretionary spending
  • Educational or career advancement costs
  • Expenses should support birth mother’s health and well-being
  • Focus on necessary support during pregnancy
  • Maintain birth mother’s dignity and autonomy

The primary goal is to provide necessary support to birth mothers while maintaining the ethical integrity of the adoption process. Each situation is unique, and professional guidance is essential to navigate these complex financial considerations.