How COVID has affected the adoption process

We’re five months into the COVID lockdown, and most of the US is still sheltering in place and social distancing. Schedules are massively different for most families out there, and as we roll into the fall and start school again, many families are wondering how school and childcare will work with the new normal of social distancing and required masks.

One of the most common questions we hear is “How will COVID affect our adoption process?”, so we wanted to share a post explaining what’s changed, and what’s stayed the same.

Are adoptions are still happening during COVID?

Yes! Women are still having babies – and it won’t be surprising to see birth rates increasing as we roll into 2021. While we’ve had to adjust several processes, we’re still able to do “business as usual”. If you’re looking to adopt a baby, we’re still able to find the perfect addition to your loving family. If you’re looking to place your baby, we’re still able to match your baby with an amazing family.

In fact, data suggest that adoption rates are increasing. As families spend more time isolated at home, they’re able to spend more time discussing adoption, and once they’ve decided to adopt, there’s more time available to deal with paperwork, home studies, and other aspect of adoption that might have caused them to hold off in the past.

Will the same level of support be available for birthmothers?

As a birth mother, you’re still able to choose your adoptive family and meet with them – but in some cases, those meetings will happen virtually. We’re still able to provide the same level of support throughout the process, and we’re still with you every step of the way. If you need financial assistance or help getting to doctor’s appointments, we’re still here to help! Sure, there are masks and more hand sanitizer involved now, but the process is basically the same.

Can you still meet with the adoptive parents?

The CDC and government are still advising that everyone avoid physical contact with others and that we all adhere to social distancing policies. It’s much safer to meet over Facetime or Zoom, or to call or text. However, with the right precautions (including masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing), it’s still possible to meet with them face to face.

Can adoptive parents be in the room or at the hospital when the baby is born?

In most cases, adoptive parents aren’t allowed to be present at the birth of their baby. Hospitals have limited personal interaction for safety reasons, which sometimes means adoptive parents can’t visit their baby for the first few days. Some hospitals allow a single birth parent to be present for the birth – it really depends on the each hospital’s policy. If you’ve got questions about hospital COVID policies, call us – we can walk you through the policies and what to expect.

Have more questions? We’re here to help!

COVID and the resulting crisis have made it necessary to enforce certain safety measures that make life a bit more inconvenient. We know that adoption can be a stressful journey and that it might be even more difficult during the COVID situation, but as always, Lifetree is here to help. If you have any questions about adoption during COVID or want to know more about how we’ve changed our processes to ensure the safety of everyone involved, call us any time – we’re happy to talk to you and answer your questions!