Whether you’re late in your pregnancy or still early on, you’ve decided that placing your baby for adoption is the right choice for both of you. While you’re not in a position to parent your child, you want him or her to have the best possible chance at life. After researching various adoption agencies in your area, you’ve chosen us, and we couldn’t be happier to help you throughout your adoption journey!

Rest assured, you’re in good hands. At Adoption Choices of Nevada, we promise to support you every step of the way. Whatever questions or worries you have, you’re not alone.

One of the most common concerns we hear from our birth mothers are the expenses involved with adoption. Specifically, what she will need to cover. Well, you’re in luck! You don’t need to pay any of that! As a private nonprofit adoption agency, we’re able to help cover pregnancy-related expenses, along with the adoptive parents you choose for your baby. The following are other resources that can help you cover your birth mother expenses as well.

WHAT EXPENSES ARE THERE?

Before we delve too deeply, we want to make sure that you know what qualifies as birth mother expenses. Legally speaking, here are the items that can be covered while you are pregnant:

• Rent
• Utilities
• Phone bill
• Basic Needs (i.e. food)
• Transportation
• Laundry
• Maternity clothing
• Legal fees

You may also be able to get financial assistance with prenatal care, ultrasounds, doctor’s appointments and other medical care. Keep in mind, though, that there are various levels and exceptions to everything listed. So, be sure to consult with your adoption professional to see what exactly you would be eligible for. We do take any and all potential health risks into consideration, and will find you temporary housing during your pregnancy if need be.

WHAT RESOURCES CAN HELP?

1) Counseling

If you want counseling at any point in your adoption journey, you’re eligible to receive free sessions through our agency. Adoption is a difficult and emotional decision, and we want to make sure that you fully understand the weight of your choice before getting too far into the process. We believe that no one should be forced into adoption and that counseling offers a huge benefit.

Not only can it help you navigate your thoughts and emotions throughout the adoption process, but it can also act as a healthy buffer during the post-adoption phase. While we’re not qualified to give out medical advice, we can be there for you and with you.

2) WIC

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is another financial assistance option worth looking into. What is it, though? WIC is a program that helps qualified pregnant women and mothers with infants or small children get the nutrients they need. A nutritionist will help guide you through the process of what you need to get and how to use your WIC card.

Keep in mind that you have to meet the program’s list of qualifications. When looking through the list, remember to count your unborn baby as a member of your household. As a note, the income portion list can change depending on the stated period, so you’ll want to watch out for that.

One of the great benefits of WIC is its nutrition education program. There are group classes or individual classes that teach mothers-to-be how to shop for nutritionally-balanced foods. You will also be taught how to prepare well-balanced meals for you and your little one.

There is one downside to the program, though. Not every grocer is a participant of the WIC program. Do your research on which of your local stores are participating. Thankfully, on the WIC website, there’s a locator that shows nearby, participating stores.

3) Medicaid

Medicaid is a service that provides health coverage to eligible adults, children, pregnant women, senior citizens and people with disabilities. It is administered in each state and funded by the government. Overall, Medicaid helps with about 72.5 million people annually, along with its other program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which gives children access to medical coverage.

Those with an income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level are eligible for this program. To apply, you must first go through a screening process where you’ll be asked questions regarding your income, household occupants, and other dependents. After this screening, you can apply for Medicaid.

You’ll need your social security card, proof of income, government-issued ID, and proof of Nevada residence. You may also be asked to provide proof of citizenship and current employment information. Once you’ve taken these steps, you’ll be directed on how to proceed further. Once qualifying, you’ll need internet access to see your full list of benefits, which will be accessible by phone or computer.

Birth Mother Expenses 

We hope this information helps you understand the different financial assistance options that are available to you, as a birth mother, in Nevada. If you ever need more help, don’t hesitate to reach out to your adoption professional. We’re here to help with any questions you have about your adoption process.

Adoption Choices of Nevada

If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of Nevada. You may visit the website here or contact us by 775-825-4673 (Reno Office) or 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas Office). Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm PST.

Support Adoption Choices

Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.

However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.

About the Author

Tia Kitchens is a college graduate with a B.S in Psychology from Capella University who has always had a passion for three things: animals, writing, and mac ‘n cheese. Two of these three are things she has based her work around. Animals are a big impact on her life due to her love for helping others through difficult situations. Through her studies, she has found the human-animal bond is strong enough to help others. This, paired with her writing, helps her record her findings and teach others through her words.

She is excited to join Adoption Choices as an Editorial Intern because she’s wanted to adopt since she was little, and is excited to learn about the industry and the adoption journey.

Her goal is to make a change in the world with her words and end up on someone’s inspiration Pinterest board! Being a key quote on someone’s Pinterest board it shows her words have a huge impact on people. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but if that picture is just words it surely means more that way! To learn more about her, follow her on Twitter and Instagram!

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Sources:

“Adoption Services: Free Services for Birth Moms.” Adoptions With Love, adoptionswithlove.org/free-services-for-birthmothers.

“What Are Birth Mother Expenses?” Adoption Network, Adoption Network Law Center, adoptionnetwork.com/what-are-birth-mother-expenses.