There are many different explanations as to why Birth Parents choose to place their child for adoption.

For instance, a mother may believe she is too young, or she may not have the financial resources necessary to raise a child.  A single mother may desire for her child to have a two-parent household.

The situation changes with every Birth Parent because every situation is unique. Heart to Heart wishes you the best as you struggle with this decision and is willing to help in any way possible.

Because every situation is unique, Heart to Heart is willing to help in any way possible as you struggle with this decision.

At Heart to Heart, we will be sensitive to your needs and respectful of your desires.

You will have the assurance of knowing your baby is with a good family because you can choose them.  And if you so desire, you can even meet and take the time to get to know them!

Even if you choose to have little or no contact with the adoptive family or individual, Heart to Heart will carefully evaluate them through the home study process. The home study process will include an assessment of their marital stability, financial situation, lifestyle, medical history, and many other important factors to evaluate their suitability as adoptive parents.

A criminal background check will also be conducted to ensure that there are no child abuse or child maltreatment charges in the past. A Heart to Heart, or other adoption professional, will personally visit the home of the prospective adoptive family to ensure that it is a secure, warm, and loving environment in which your child can be raised.

Finally, the adoptive family or individual must go before an adoption judge to be declared a permanent family.

In these ways, Heart to Heart ensures that your child will be placed with the most appropriate, loving, secure family or individual available for you.

Heart to Heart provides clean, warm, secure housing for Birth Parents who have chosen adoption and wish to come to Utah.

We currently have several apartments available to Birth Parents who need a place to stay.

Medical expenses are always a concern. There are a couple of ways to make sure your expenses are covered.

1. Medicaid or the government medical support in your state. You may already be on that support or we can help you apply. 
2. Adoptive families cover the medical costs. Heart to Heart has many adoptive families who can assist medical costs related to your pregnancy.
3. Often Medicaid will cover some things and the adoptive family can cover the rest. This is also true if you have insurance. The adoptive family can cover any additional expenses and often their insurance will cover much of the expense.

Bottom line, when you do an adoption, we don’t want you left with medical bills. We will help make sure they are paid.

Yes! Heart to Heart offers you the option to choose your adoptive couple or individual if you want to. As well, you will have the option to spend time and get to know them or remain completely anonymous. It is up to you!

Many Heart to Heart Birth Parents get to know to their adoptive families by phone. Some meet with them for dinner. Other birth parents decide not to have any contact with the adoptive families at all. It’s whatever you choose. You can have your relationship with the adoptive family as open or confidential as you want it to be.

Planning ahead of time will ensure that both you and the adoptive family are comfortable with the level of contact that will be maintained after the birth of the child.

Many Heart to Heart Birth Parents choose to receive letters and photos of their child from the adoptive parents.  This may occur on an ongoing basis or periodically.  You get to decide!

Other Birth Parents have chosen to maintain phone conversations.  A few even visit the adoptive family!

Make sure that as you begin the process of selecting an adoptive family that you choose an adoptive family or individual with similar ideas about ongoing contact. As well, you always have the option to choose no contact.

That depends of the laws that govern your adoption. In most states, you will sign documents “relinquishing” or waiving your parental rights to your child sometime after the baby is born. That can be from 24 hours to 5 days. Generally, once you sign, the decision to relinquish your rights is “irrevocable” or cannot be undone. There are a few states where the laws allow a period of time to change your mind. Be sure to talk with your counselor about what the laws are that you will be using.

This really depends on three criteria.

First, if you are married to any man, that man, your legal husband, has rights to the child regardless if he is the biological father. He must be notified. He may or may not give his consent to the adoption, but he has a right to know about it. This rule is valid in every state.

Second, it depends on how involved he has been with the pregnancy. If he has provided emotional and financial support, then his involvement can be considered. 

Third, in most state there are Paternity registries or Putative Father registries. Putative means he is not married to you. If he wants to have rights to the child, he needs to file with the registry. The agency will search the registry and if he doesn’t register, he can lose the rights to parent the child. If your state does not have a registry, he will need to file a Paternity action with an attorney to have any rights. 

Heart to Heart will work with you to determine how much involvement he has and what actions need to be taken.

It is a good idea to think about your plans as early in your pregnancy as possible. A professional social worker will be assigned to help you make this plan.

The adoptive couple or individual who adopts your child will be given non-identifying information about your background, family, medical history, interests, hobbies, and what you are like as a person.

As well, the adoptive family will be instructed on how and when to share this information, and how to answer your child’s questions with love and sensitivity.

For more information about the types of communication that can occur after you place your child see the section on Post Placement Communication

Different states have different laws. We can help you understand the adoption laws in your state.
In all states you may change your mind at any time during the adoption process up until the legal documents are signed. You have full parental rights until those documents are signed. However, once the legal documents are signed, your adoption decision is final and permanent in most states. We will explain to you all of your rights and what is meant by each legal document before you sign anything.

An unexpected pregnancy can be stressful for a woman, especially if she feels like she is not in the right situation to care for a child.  There are several signs that are associated with becoming pregnant. These signs of pregnancy come from the hormone changes that happen once an egg has been fertilized. They include:

• Feeling nauseous
• Vomiting
• Sensitive, tender, or swollen breasts
• Excessive and unexplained fatigue
• Food cravings or aversions

If you have been sexually active in the past month and experience any of these symptoms, you may be pregnant. You can find out if you’re pregnant by purchasing a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are normally available at a local dollar store or grocery store.

If you find out that you do have an unwanted pregnancy, please contact Heart to Heart Adoptions. You can text us anytime (801-563-1000) and we will provide you with needed support and understanding.