Do Pregnant Women Really Get Paid for Adoption?

In North Carolina, pregnant women cannot legally be “paid” in exchange for choosing adoption. However, as an expectant mother:

  • Adoption is always free to you
  • The law allows you to receive reasonable living and medical expenses related to your pregnancy up to six weeks after the delivery.
  • We guide you to community resources for continued financial support so that you are self-sufficient after you have your baby.

Our adoption counselors are committed to helping you obtain as much financial and emotional support as possible during and after the adoption process. Below, find answers to your questions about financial assistance for birth mothers.

Woman Looking at BillsDoes putting a baby up for adoption cost money?

The answer to this question is always no. As an expectant mother, you are entitled to all of the services and support you need throughout the adoption process at no cost to you, including the extensive emotional support provided by our licensed adoption counselors.

In addition, the costs of prenatal care, your hospital stay, and any other medical expenses related to your pregnancy will be covered for you, as well as any legal expenses you incur in connection with the adoption. We help you obtain Medicaid if you have not yet done so, and if you are covered by insurance the adoptive parents will pay the costs not paid by insurance.

How does financial assistance for adoption work in North Carolina?

While adoption for compensation is not legal, pregnant women and mothers can be “paid” for adoption in the form of pregnancy and adoption-related medical and  living expenses.

When you decide to make an adoption plan with A Child’s Hope, your adoption counselor will work with you to create a budget. Your budget will include information about your income and any financial assistance you are currently receiving, as well as your financial needs that aren’t being met. Once your counselor understands your financial situation, she can provide the financial assistance you need to cover your “living expenses,” including:

  • Rent or mortgage
  • Utilities
  • Groceries
  • Transportation including gas for your care
  • Maternity clothing
  • Medicines

According to North Carolina adoption laws, women who choose adoption can receive these living and medical expenses throughout their pregnancy and up to six weeks after their child’s birth.

Whatever your financial needs, your adoption counselor will work with you to ensure you have all of the resources and support you need to keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy during the adoption process. Based on your circumstances, she may also be able to help you find additional resources to meet your needs, such as community housing for mothers placing a child for adoption, food banks, government programs for support, and more.

Do living expenses continue after the adoption?

Your adoption counselor cares about you and wants to ensure your needs are being met, not only during the adoption process, but also after placement. You can continue to receive reasonable living expenses up to six weeks after your baby is born.

In addition, your counselor can help you access community resources that will continue to benefit you long after the adoption. If you need help affording medical care, groceries, or finding a place to stay, there are many options available to you — and your adoption counselor will help you find them.

Taking the Next Step to Receiving Adoption Financial Assistance

Your adoption counselor is committed to helping you make the best decision possible for yourself and your baby — and that decision should not be made based on financial concerns. As a woman considering adoption, you deserve to have peace of mind that your financial needs will be met during your pregnancy. We offer financial support to help keep you and your baby healthy, and to allow you to focus on the important decision you are making.

To learn more about the emotional and financial support we can offer during your pregnancy, call or text us to speak with an adoption counselor any time, with no obligation.

Click a star near where you live on the NC map to see what counselor would be assigned to you

Birthmother Hotline: (877) 890-4673

Envia Un Texto: (919) 218-6270

Text: Pregnant to (919) 971-4396