All birth parents have the right to:

• Be treated like any other parent.
• Receive non-judgmental counseling.
• Know agency policies on adoption.
• Express preferences about the kind of family you want for your baby and choose the adopting family.
• Hold and feed your baby while in the hospital.
• Be given information about the baby (birth weight, size, etc.).
• Name your baby on the original birth certificate and have a copy of the birth certificate.
• Know what is happening with your baby (legal proceedings, bridge care, etc.).
• Meet the bridge care family if desired, and spend time with your baby in bridge care.
• Have pictures of your child both as a newborn and on an ongoing basis.
• Be given detailed written information on the adoptive family once your baby is placed in the family's home.
• Have access to updated information on your child through the agency if not through his or her adoptive parents.
• Write a letter to your baby and to the adoptive family. Receive a letter from the adoptive family. Continue to receive information about your child as they grow.
• Have ongoing contact as everyone agrees.