By Mackenzie Sutton

Generally speaking, when one hears the term “birth father,” many different thoughts may come to mind. When we discuss the birth father, we usually talk about your baby’s biological father. There are many legal processes surrounding the birth father concerning his rights and roles throughout the adoption process. However, it is essential to note that birth fathers can play a very powerful role aside from the mother.

If you are a birth father present for this process, you deserve to be just as involved in the decision-making of your child’s adoption plan. 

Understanding Why You & The Birth Mother Are Choosing Adoption

Many birth parents feel overwhelming guilt for feeling like the best option is to give a child up for adoption. Placing your baby for adoption is not easy; however, birth parents choose it for a good reason. Many parents struggle with giving up a child for adoption because they aren’t sure if their cause is “acceptable” enough. Allowing someone else to raise your baby can sometimes be emotionally stressful.

Remember that there is no “wrong” reason behind placing your baby up for adoption. The reason behind every adoption is unique to each birth parent. Understanding YOUR reasons for choosing adoption is critical in this situation.

If you and the birth mother are considering placing your baby up for adoption, it may be because:

• You two are experiencing financial hardships.
• You two may feel too young to raise a child.
• She may not see herself becoming a mother, and you may not see yourself being a father at this time.
• You two cannot provide a stable home at the moment.
• The child may have special needs, and you cannot care for the child.

Supporting Yourself and the Birth Mother Through the Pregnancy

Pregnancy and adoption can be one of the most emotionally overwhelming processes ever to experience. As the birth father, one of your biggest tasks is emotionally supporting yourself and the birth mother through the journey. Emotionally taking care of yourself and someone else can be challenging. Still, as long as you try your best, you will be fine! 

Pregnancy and adoption can be times of uncertainty and confusion, which is why it’s essential to step up and be a constant support system for the birth mother. 

If you are confused about how to go about supporting yourself and the birth mother, read through this list:

• Stay present for the birth mother, whether it’s for doctor’s appointments, adoption counseling, etc.
• Acknowledge that pregnancy can take a toll on a woman’s body, so support her through the changes her body is going through.
• Learn as much as you can about the pregnancy and adoption process.
• Take care of your mental health. You can consider counseling/therapy.
• Begin the discussion of how you two will create your adoption plan.
• Take this time to learn more about yourself, your goals, and your plan after you two place your baby up for adoption.

Creating an Adoption Plan as a Birth Father

Like birth mothers, birth fathers often experience similar emotions when giving up a child for adoption. Like birth mothers, you, as a birth father, also have opinions and concerns regarding adoption. Throughout the adoption plan, you and the birth mother should come together to create an adoption plan you can agree on. Adoption varies in the level of openness you’d prefer to have with your child. 

The three options to choose from are:

1. Fully open
2. Semi-open
3. Closed

We often suggest choosing an open adoption if you’d want to have a level of communication with your child! 

If you are a birth father, here are a few things you should know about the adoption process:

1. Contact us at 855-940-4673 to discuss your rights and responsibilities through the adoption. You can also discuss locations depending on where you are in Nevada. Unwanted pregnancy options will be addressed.
2. You will speak with one of our adoption counselors to decide whether or not adoption is the right choice for you.
3. You and the birth mother will create your adoption plan. You decide what assistance you and the birth mother will need, the type of adoption you prefer, and your adoptive family’s preferences. 
4. Choosing the adoptive family your baby will go to.
5. Finalize the adoption plan. 
6. Support and counseling after the adoption has been finalized and your baby is with their adoptive family.

Acknowledging That All Birth Fathers Aren’t Present

Though sometimes birth fathers are present, there are a lot of cases where the birth father is absent. Often, mothers choose to place their baby up for adoption because the birth father abandoned her and can’t care for the baby by herself. 

When birth mothers give a baby up for adoption, sometimes it is due to:

• A recent divorce.
• Unknown father
• Uninvolved father
• Sexual assault case
• Etc.

The Role of a Birth Father Throughout an Adoption

We here at Adoption Choices of Nevada are here to assist all birth parents with adoption in Nevada. Birth fathers should not need to feel excluded from the entirety of the adoption process. Our local adoption agency strongly encourages all birth fathers to be involved with the process and support the birth mother. 

As birth parents, your goal is to make a choice that is right for you and your baby. If you are seeking more guidance about unwanted pregnancy options, feel free to reach out. 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 (Adoption Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno Adoption) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).