By Nicholas Rodinos

Giving a baby up for adoption can be stressful; however, one way to cope is with a birth plan. The birth plan lists instructions, accommodations, and guests you would like during your delivery. This plan is designed to prepare you, the medical staff, your loved ones, and the adoptive parents. The birth plan or hospital plan can adapt as your needs and wants change. Adoption Choices of Nevada can help you make your birth plans while providing you with real choices for adoption.

The Basics of the Adoption Process

Let’s start with the plan basics: provide your name, your doctor’s name, and all necessary contact information. List any health conditions or allergies you have and any medications you’re currently taking. If you want the birth father or your partner to attend, please list them and their contact information. If there are any family or loved ones you want to be there with you, list their contact information. Reno adoption agencies will explain all the necessary details of the birth plan and adoption in Nevada.

Minor Hospital Accommodations for the Birth Mother

Hospitals can feel terrifying, especially when you’re giving birth. That’s why they make special accommodations for pregnant women.

• Music and Lighting: Many birth mothers find the noise of hospitals adds unnecessary stress to giving birth. Some birth mothers find silence in hospitals unnerving and want something to replace it. If you want, you can have calming music to help you through the labor process. Are the lights of the hospital too bright? We can have them dimmed for you. Do you want more light, we can provide that as well.
• Personal Items: If there are any belongings you want with you, your family can provide them. Have a picture of a beloved relative you want to provide you with comfort and strength? Is there some lucky charm that gets you through everything? Do you have a collection that brings you joy in dark times? If you need it, someone can bring it for you.
• Video/Pictures: If you want, one of your loved ones can be in the room recording the birth of your child. These pictures or videos can help you cope with the loss of your child. Do you want the pictures or video to focus only on the baby? 

Pain and Comfort During Labor

• Pain: Doctors will provide you with pain relief during labor. Ask your doctor about all available pain relief options, so you can see which sounds best for you. Do you want nurses to provide pain management techniques? If you want, epidurals are available. If you don’t want them, they’re still available if you change your mind.

• Comfort: If there are any forms of comfort you need, don’t hesitate to list them. The nurses may be able to provide comfort measures, including aromatherapy, specialized breathing techniques, calming beverages, and massages. If you need comfort from the nurses, don’t be afraid to make a note of it.

How Much Time Do You Want with Your Baby Before Placement?

• How much time do you want to spend with your baby? If you feel spending time can help you move on, that’s fine. Would you want videos or pictures taken of the delivery so that you have something to remember the baby? If spending time feels too painful, then you don’t have to. The only right answer is what’s right for you.

• Do you want to hold your baby? Many birth mothers want to hold their babies after giving birth. It might be their last time holding them. And many other birth mothers feel that holding their baby after giving birth might be too emotionally painful. Whatever you choose, you made the right choice, as that was what you felt was right at the time.

Adoption Relinquishment Papers

This is the hardest part of the adoption process, as you are now giving up your child for adoption. After signing these papers, your birth mother’s rights are terminated, and the adoptive parents are now legal parents. Your adoption coordinator will help you fill out the paperwork. The notary and witnesses will document the relinquishment. This is a difficult time for birth mothers, but your adoption coordinator and counselor will support you through it.

Leaving the Hospital and Post-Adoption Support

After giving birth, do you want to stay in the maternity ward or on another hospital floor? Reno adoption agencies will provide you with the necessary psychological counseling to help you through your post-adoption distress. Your counselor will try to help you through every stage of your postpartum depression. It’s important to give yourself time to grieve and process what’s happened. Post-pregnancy adoption support also covers living expenses if you are not able to work.

Choosing Your Hospital Plan with Your Adoption Specialist

A hospital plan is a useful tool that conveys all your needs to the doctors and your loved ones. The plan can change as much as you need it to or be reused for other pregnancies. Hospital plans are a great way to mentally prepare yourself for the labor process and the adoption afterward. The birth plan is there to alleviate stress before, during, and after the birth. Your adoption agency will try to explain and simplify birth plans and adoption in Nevada as much as possible.

Adoption Choices of Nevada can provide you with assistance with birth plans and adoption plans. We are a licensed adoption agency with offices located across Nevada. We can provide the necessary living expenses and help you find a loving family for your baby.