By Kaitlyn Chrisemer

When you’re told you are going to be a father in the case of an unplanned pregnancy, panic is natural. You may be unsure about a birth father’s role during the adoption process. Maybe you don’t know how to comfort and support the birth mother. Your relationship with her may influence the answers to these thoughts. If you’re willing and able to work with her throughout this process, your involvement and support are encouraged. The birth father should not be forgotten and has responsibilities in the adoption.

In recognition of Father’s Day this month, we want to give a little extra information on Birth fathers and adoptions. Many couples considering adoption want to know more about the birth father’s role and responsibilities. Although the main focus is on the mother, the father can also play an important role. Unfortunately, this unbalanced focus can often lead to a shortage of information for fathers. We want to shed some light on this often overlooked aspect of the adoption process.

Putting a baby up for adoption is a difficult decision that can impact both the birth father and mother. At Adoption Choices of Nevada, we want to ensure that you are as supported and involved as you want. We understand that this process can take a toll emotionally, so we’re here to help. Our adoption agencies offer to counsel birth fathers and birth mothers so you can be at your best. 

Birth Father Role When Consenting to Adoption

In Nevada, birth fathers are required to consent to the adoption for the process to continue. Birth fathers will need to relinquish their parental rights to the child, so the adoptive family can have custody. If you and the birth mother have decided to place your child for adoption together, consent isn’t an issue. Birth fathers have as much of a parental right to the child as birth mothers. If you have decided you want to put your baby up for adoption, you must sign off. 

However, if you disagree with the birth mother’s decision, both parties will need legal representation. Adoption Choices of Nevada can help connect you with lawyers that will give you the information you need. They will work to make sure everyone’s best interests are considered, and everyone’s voices are heard. 

Supporting the Birth Mother in the Adoption Process

As the birth father, you are the main part of the birth mother’s support system in the adoption process. In this turbulent and uncertain time, you can step up and be the constant the birth mother needs. You can stand by her and ensure she knows she is not alone in this process. By being a shoulder to cry on or even just by showing up, you can be an important point of stability for her. Your support can help birth mothers emotionally, throughout, and after the adoption process. Whether at the adoption agencies for meetings or at the hospital for the birth, your support helps. Your presence at these events and when she relinquishes her parental rights can help with the emotional aftermath. 

Helping the Birth Mother make Decisions About the Adoption

As the birth father, you can help the birth mother make important decisions throughout the adoption process. You can help create an adoption plan and ensure the hospital stay is arranged. Birth fathers can offer important insight that may influence the adoption process for the better. You can help decide which type of adoption would be best and even help pick the adoptive family. Communicating and collaborating with the birth mother throughout this process will allow everyone to be comfortable and content. These are big decisions that can impact everyone involved. Working together with the birth mother to make these choices is key. 

Next Steps in the Adoption Process

Adoption Choices of Nevada is here for you in your adoption journey. As birth fathers, we don’t want you to feel left out or excluded. At our adoption agencies, we encourage the support and involvement of birth fathers. We know that your contributions can be essential to the process and the birth mother. Your support means a lot and strongly impacts the mother’s wellness and the process. Parenting is a collaboration, and the process of placing your child for adoption is a joint effort. We appreciate the strength it takes for fathers to admit their child would be better off with another family. This is an area of fatherhood that often goes unrecognized, but we see you, and we thank you. 

If you are birth parents considering adoption in Nevada, please contact us. Adoption Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. You can call us to speak to someone now. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).