When it comes to placing your baby for adoption, the whole process is difficult, especially for the birthmother. As a birthmother, the best thing you can do is to prepare yourself for what awaits you in order to reduce the amount of stress you will be experiencing. Here is a step-by-step guide of what to expect at the hospital. Fortunately for you, most of it depends on what you decide while developing your adoption plan.

Notifying the hospital about the adoption.

Since you likely will be making arrangements long before your due date, you will probably decide on a hospital beforehand. Even if you don’t, it's important to notify your nurses and doctors and other staff members you work with that you've created an adoption plan. Knowing that you will be taken care of by people who know you have placed your child for adoption will make you feel less anxious.

Choosing between pain relief options.

This is a decision you will probably have made even before arriving at the hospital. Once your labor starts progressing and contracts start getting stronger, you will be given the choice between no pain relief, also known as natural childbirth, and a few different types of pain relief options. If you would like to avoid having to decide on the spot, do some research while you are still at home. This will make you worry less about the process itself.

Deciding how much contact you will have with adoptive parents.

How the delivery ends up looking largely depends on the adoption plan you devised while you were pregnant. This includes the amount of time you will spend with the adoptive parents before, during, and after your baby is born. Depending on the type of adoption you choose, you will have either plenty or almost no contact with them. Take this into consideration while making your decision. Be sure to inform the nurses and doctors of the type of contact you've decided on.

Filling out the paperwork.

Until after you give birth to your child, nothing is official. This means that you will have to deal with paperwork while at the hospital and after the delivery. The paperwork you'll be required to complete depends on the laws in your state, but usually you'll sign the paperwork completing the adoption within 72 hours of the baby's birth.

Spending some time with your baby.

You will have the option to spend as much time with your baby as you wish, but you will need to prepare yourself for the overwhelming amount of emotions that are awaiting you. The most important thing is to focus on the moment and not let the separation affect your time with your baby. Try your best to focus on the fact that you're making another family's dreams come true through your selfless sacrifice.