Frequently Asked Questions from Pregnant Women Considering Adoption

Q. Will this cost me anything?
A. There is no charge for pregnancy services at JFS. We will also help you apply for any medical or financial assistance for which you may be eligible.

Q. Do I need to be Jewish?
A. No. JFS is licensed to place children of all religious backgrounds for adoption.

Q. Do I get to choose the family?
A. As your due date draws closer, your counselor will help you choose a family from among the many families waiting to adopt. Every effort is made to respect your wishes.

Q. Will I get to see the baby?
A. That will be up to you. Each birth mother has a different opinion about seeing the baby. For some, it is helpful; for others, spending time with the baby makes the decision even more difficult. Before you deliver, you and your counselor will discuss your feelings about seeing the baby. We want you to feel comfortable with every decision throughout the entire process.

Q. Does the birth father need to be involved?
A. It is Virginia law that all parental rights and responsibilities to the child be terminated in order for a child to be legally adopted. Your adoption counselor will discuss these and other legal issues, as they apply to your individual situation.

Q. Can I have contact with the family after the adoption is finalized?
A. JFS respects the anonymity of both the birth and adoptive families. Should there be a desire from both parties, JFS will coordinate a meeting, either in person or over the phone. In addition, letters and photographs may be exchanged between the birth and adoptive families, with JFS acting as an intermediary.

Q. What if I change my mind?
A. You will not sign any legal documents until the baby is born. Even at that point, there is still some room for changing your mind. You and your counselor will talk about the adoption process at length, and you should feel certain of your decision before signing any papers. Legal details will be clearly laid out early in your discussions with the counselor.

Q. If after talking with you I decide to keep my baby, will you still provide counseling?
A. Yes. Call us anytime.

Q. If I think I'm interested and want to know more, how soon do I have to call?
A. Call us anytime. We can begin working together at any point during your pregnancy or at any time thereafter.

Come see us or call us anytime. Talk to us now by clicking here, and let us know how we might help you TODAY.

6718 Patterson Ave.
Richmond, VA 23226
(804)282-5644 ext. 223
1-888-711-2983 (toll-free)
Email: adoption@jfsrichmond.org