Adoption Checklist for Healthcare Workers

When a woman is admitted to the hospital in active labor, determine if an adoption plan is already in place.

When NO PLAN is yet in place:

Remember, a woman can still make an adoption plan for her baby during labor or after birth. It’s never too late!

Call National Adoption Hotline to request appropriate paperwork and speak with an Adoption Professional: 1-800-923-6602.
Assist patient in completing the required paperwork to begin the adoption process.
Fax or email the patient’s paperwork back to the adoption professional.
Proceed as below. Adoption plan is now in place.

Contact the adoption professional involved.
Stay in touch with adoption professional by phone.
Review patient’s preferences with hospital personnel, including night staff, regarding adoption plan.
Honor the patient’s wishes regarding her hospital plan, involvement of the adoptive parents, and postpartum preferences for a private room, in accordance with hospital policy.
Help the patient prepare hospital release form for her baby to leave the hospital with the adoptive parents of her choice.