An unexpected teenage pregnancy is a very stressful, confusing, and emotional time in your life. Although you want what is best for your baby, you realize parenting could change your goals and future. If you are considering adoption for your pregnancy, you may find yourself asking questions like: 

• How does a teenager give a baby up for adoption?  
• What are the pros and cons of teenage pregnancy adoption? 
• Do you have to be a certain age to give your baby up for adoption in Florida?

Know that although this is a difficult time in your life, you never have to experience this on your own — American Adoptions is here to help.

We have created this guide to help answer your questions and explain how adoption is always an option, no matter your situation or age. We will walk you through the steps of placing your baby for adoption and discuss some of the pros and cons of choosing adoption for your baby. 

For over 30 years, we have helped thousands of birth mothers of all ages place their babies for adoption through our agency. As one of the nation's largest domestic infant adoption agencies, we provide all of the services and support you need to be comfortable in your decision and to allow you to focus on a healthy pregnancy.

Your needs and achieving your goals of finding the best adoptive family for your baby are our number one priority.

Whether you are just exploring your options, or want more information about adoption in Florida, call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our online form to get in touch with an adoption specialist from American Adoptions. They will be able to answer any questions you may have and provide the guidance you need. 

In the meantime, continue reading to learn more about how to put a baby up for adoption if you are a teen in Florida. 

How to Put a Baby up for Adoption If You Are a Teen in Florida [5 Steps] 

When you choose adoption for your baby, you are doing so out of the love you have for them. You want to provide them the best opportunities in life with a loving and supportive family. This decision is one of the bravest and most selfless decisions you can make. 

No matter your age, the adoption process will be similar to that of a prospective birth mother choosing adoption at any age. Adoption for a teenage pregnancy can be broken down into five steps.

Step 1: Decide on Adoption 

Adoption is one of the most significant decisions you will make in your life. Adoption impacts not only you and your baby, but also the hopeful adoptive family you may choose to place your baby with. No matter your situation or the circumstances that have you considering adoption, it is your own choice — only you can make this decision.  

Deciding that adoption is the best choice for your baby will take time, and that's OK. You want to be fully educated on the process, potential outcomes, and benefits before making any decision. You can always call 1-800-ADOPTION to discuss your situation with a trained professional or fill out this online form to get more information.

Not every unplanned pregnancy results in adoption, but for many birth mothers, including you, it may be the best option. Keep reading to learn more about the steps on how to put a baby up for adoption if you are a teen.

Step 2: Start Your Adoption Plan  

When you decide adoption is the path you wish to pursue during your pregnancy, you are giving your baby a lifetime of opportunity. American Adoptions is here to help make sure your adoption goes as planned, based on any preferences or goals you may have. Although your specialist will be there to guide you, you will always remain in complete control of the process. 

You will begin planning steps in the process such as:  

• Determining your needs and eligibility for financial assistance
• Your personal preferences for the type of adoptive family you are looking for
• Your birth plan, including which hospital you want care and delivery to take place, and more 
• Your preferences on post-adoption communication and the relationship you wish to have with your child and the adoptive family 
• And many other details  

The adoption plan helps your adoption specialist get a sense of your adoptive goals, which will determine important details and steps in the process. Throughout this planning, you will receive services such as 24/7 counseling, assistance with all required documentation and paperwork, legal representation, and so much more. 

Please fill out this online form to get more information about adoption planning and how it is essentially the outline for your teenage pregnancy adoption.

Step 3: Find the Best Family for Your Baby 

The moment you decide adoption is best for you, you likely start thinking about finding the adoptive family for your baby. This is one of the most important and exciting decisions you will ever make. Because you want what is best for your baby, you want to find the best opportunities for them —American Adoptions is here to help!  

Through adoption profiles, you can begin to search for families that have the potential to match your goals and preferences. These profile videos will feature information on the family, stories on their life, background, adoptive goals, and more. 

Because American Adoptions is one of the largest national adoption agencies in the United States, we have the ability to provide you with the most opportunities to find the best adoptive family for your baby, as a teenager considering putting your baby up for adoption. 

Your adoption specialist will work alongside you throughout this process, making sure to provide as many profiles as you need that match your hopes for an adoptive family as close as possible. Once you have decided on the family you wish to place your baby with, your adoption specialist will inform them, and you will begin working on a placement/hospital plan.

Step 4: Create Your Hospital Birth Plan  

When the time comes to deliver your baby, the last thing you need to worry about are details like who will be in the room, how you want the placement to go, and more. Having an established hospital plan helps ensure you don't have to, so you can focus on having a healthy and stress-free delivery.  

This plan is essentially an outline of details such as:

• Where you will deliver
• If you want pain medicine
• The amount of time (if any) you want alone with your baby
• If you want to see the adoptive family
• And more

The hospital stay and placement of your child are generally considered to be the most emotional times throughout your adoption and pregnancy. Keep in mind you will always have access to any counseling or support services you may need before, during, and after your delivery. 

You can call 1-800-ADOPTION to get more information about the hospital plan and answer any questions you may have.  

Step 5: Begin Your Post-Adoption Relationship 

During your adoption planning, you will discuss the type of adoption for your teenage pregnancy you wish to have. Once you have made a decision, you will determine the level of openness you want to pursue. Through open adoption, you can continue your relationship with the adoptive family and your child.

The level of openness and communication will be discussed and agreed upon with the adoptive family before placement occurs. Although closed adoption is still an option, our adoption specialist will explain your options for post-placement contact and the benefits of choosing some form of openness. Like all aspects of adoption, you are in complete control of this decision and can determine what is best for your baby and you.   

As a teenager putting a baby up for adoption in Florida, you may have concerns about what it means for your future. When you choose adoption, it not only allows you to provide the best opportunity for your baby, it provides you with the opportunity to achieve your goals as well.

Parenting can derail your life, especially as a teenager. But, it doesn’t have to be that way when you choose adoption. You can complete school, stay involved in extracurricular activities, and more, all while remaining involved in your baby's life — if you so choose. 

Some teenagers considering putting a baby up for adoption have concerns about being judged. You may find peace of mind knowing adoption is becoming more socially acceptable and positively viewed. There are support groups to help you cope with any feelings of guilt or regret you may have. How an adoption will impact your future will ultimately depend upon how you let it.

If you have questions about the adoption process for a teenager considering putting a baby up for adoption, call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a licensed professional. 

FAQs about Adoption and Teenage Pregnancy in Florida 

An unplanned pregnancy brings on a lot of different questions and thoughts. Below you will find some of the most commonly asked questions about your pregnancy and adoption. Remember, anytime you have questions or want immediate answers, call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak to a licensed professional.

Do You Have to Be a Certain Age to Give your Baby Up for Adoption in Florida? 

No, there is no age requirement for a prospective birth mother to choose adoption for her baby. 

As a minor in Florida, you have the right to place your child for adoption if you feel it will provide the best opportunity for your baby. No matter your age, call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out this online form to speak with an adoption specialist to get more information about the process and if adoption for your teenage pregnancy is the best option.

I'm 19, Should I Keep My Baby? 

No matter if you're wondering, "Should I keep my baby, I'm 15?" or, asking the same question at 19 years old, you are in control of your decision. If you do not feel like you are ready or able to raise your baby and give them the life they deserve, you will want to explore your unplanned pregnancy options to determine which is best for the situation you are in and for your baby.  

It is no secret that parenting is expensive. From clothes, food, living expenses, daycare, and more, financial reasons are often a large contributor to why prospective birth mothers explore other options. As a minor, you may have goals of your own that will be put into jeopardy if you decide to parent your baby. 

These are just a few of the things to consider before making such an important decision as parenting your baby. Although the goal of adoption is to benefit the child and give them the love and care they deserve, keep in mind, you can also benefit by making such a brave choice during your unplanned pregnancy. Adoption allows you the opportunity to live your life as planned while remaining involved in your child's life if you so choose. 

Ultimately it is your decision, one that takes plenty of thought and research. Call 1-800-ADOPTION to discuss your situation with a licensed specialist.

If You Give Your Baby Up for Adoption as a Minor, Could You Get Them Back? 

This is one of the most common questions we hear. The goal of adoption is to provide a permanent, loving home for your baby. Under certain circumstances, there is a revocation period in Florida, but then in the case of the majority of adoptions, once a birth mother has signed her consent paperwork, she has relinquished her parental rights.   

Although you are unable to get your child back, you may consider exploring an open adoption. Through this type of adoption, working with the adoptive family, you both will determine the level of communication you both wish to have throughout the pregnancy and after placement occurs. This allows you the opportunity to remain updated in your child's life, and in some cases, have personal interactions and visits with them and the adoptive family. Fill out this online form to get more information about open adoption for teenage pregnancy in Florida. 

Can You Put a Baby Up for Adoption if the Father is Underage in Florida? 

Yes, but there may be some caveats.

As a prospective birth mother, you are always in complete control of your adoption, but in some situations, you may need consent from the baby's father.

Depending upon the relationship you have with the birth father, the laws and requirements will vary for each adoption, but the best rule of practice, if possible, is to consult with the birth father to help avoid any potential complications down the road of the adoption process. You will want to speak with an adoption specialist and explain your concerns. 

When you work with American Adoptions, we will partner you with a trusted adoption attorney who will better explain the role your baby's birth father may play in your adoption.

Call American Adoptions Today

An unplanned pregnancy sparks so many thoughts, concerns, and emotions, and no matter your age is something you should never have to go through alone. American Adoptions is here to help provide the support you need during such a difficult time. 

Call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out this online form to get in touch with a trained professional to discuss your situation or begin planning your adoption for your teenage pregnancy in Florida today.

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