Pregnant? Scared?
We Can Help.
We Focus on Open Adoptions.
Unplanned Pregnancy? Let Us Help.
Are you pregnant and considering adoption? We are available to speak with you and provide you with free information and assistance to help you through your crisis.
We will do our best to answer your questions concerning the adoption process and to assist you in making the decisions that are right for you and your child. We can also discuss the services available to you, including medical care, counseling, and reasonable financial assistance with living expenses such as housing, maternity clothing, cell phone, etc., as allowed by state law.
Call us at (843) 723-1688 or on nights/weekends at (844) I AM PREGNANT.
Our Services
Pregnancy can be a strain on you both physically and financially. Lowndes & Barrett can assist you with financial support including paying for housing, transportation and clothing.
Access to prenatal care should be one of your biggest concerns, and we are here to help. Lowndes & Barrett can help you apply for Medicaid and receive appropriate medical care throughout your pregnancy.
We are here for you. A caring attorney from Lowndes & Barrett will be by your side to provide you with comfort and emotional support.
You can place your baby confidentially without your friends or family knowing.
Birth Mother Resources
- National Council for Adoption
- American Pregnancy’s Ovulation Calculator
- South Carolina Medicaid: Getting Started
- South Carolina: Help Finding Health Care Services
- South Carolina Medicaid: Transportation Beneficiary Information
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
- South Carolina’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
- Cost of Raising a Child Calculator
- Books for Birth Parents
- National Domestic Abuse Hotline
Frequently Asked Questions
Does placing my child for adoption make me a bad mother?
Absolutely not! There are many women, of all ages, who have an unplanned pregnancy and do not feel that they are ready to be a parent or are unable to care for a child. Putting your child’s needs before your own is the most unselfish decision you will ever make. If you are not ready or not able to be a parent, you can still give your baby the gift of life by choosing adoption. Adoption is a very loving and unselfish decision.
Can I choose the adoptive parents?
Yes! As the birth mother, you have the right to choose the adoptive parents. You may speak with the family that you choose by phone, or you may meet them in person, so that you feel assured that your have chosen the perfect family. We encourage such open communication throughout the pregnancy as it helps to establish a warm bond between the birth mother and the adoptive parents.
What if my child is a minority child?
If your child is bi-racial, multiracial, African-American, Native American, Hispanic or other minority, it is important to discuss this with us when you are making your initial adoption plan. There are many adoptive families who are looking for a child just like yours to adopt.
What if my child has already been born?
We have plenty of families that are looking to adopt children of varying ages, from infant to elementary school age.
What if I have a problem with drug usage, I am not in this country legally, etc?
Your adoption plan is confidential. We do not report any sort of issues to government agencies.
What if my child is going to be special needs?
We have families that are open to a variety of special needs situations, whether it is exposure to drugs or alcohol during the pregnancy, genetic disorders, physical disabilities, or more. There is a family out there for every child.
Do I have to live in or move to South Carolina to work with you?
No. If you live in another state, we can still work with you. You do not have to move here. We will coordinate efforts with other adoption professionals in your state to provide the best services possible to you right where you live.
Do I have to pay anything to place my child for adoption?
No. All legal fees and living/medical expenses are paid by the prospective adoptive parents. You are not required to pay for anything.
What if I am under the age of 18?
A birth mother under the age of 18 has the power to consent to the adoption of her child without parental consent. It is not necessary to for us to contact your parents or other family members in order for you to consent to an adoption plan.
How do I know the adoptive parents are fit to raise a child?
Prospective adoptive parents must go through an extensive screening process called a “home study” before they are approved to adopt. The adoption process includes home visits, interviews, child abuse checks, and criminal background investigations.
What about the baby's father?
We will need a biological father’s consent to the adoption if he is either married to the birth mother, is living with her during the pregnancy or is supporting her during the pregnancy. Each situation is different and we can speak with you further to determine whether he can interfere with your adoption plan.
When will I sign the adoption papers?
You will sign the relinquishment papers in the hospital normally about 24-48 hours after you give birth. Once the adoption consent is signed, it is generally binding and irrevocable.
What if DSS/child protective services has a case against me?
It is important to let us know right away. We will contact DSS on your behalf to let them know that we are working with you to create an adoption plan for this child.
If I meet with you or request information, does that mean that I have to make an adoption plan?
No. We are here to answer your questions and offer support as you decide whether or not adoption is the right decision for you and your child. We understand that this is not an easy decision, nor is it the right decision for everyone, and we will never pressure you to choose adoption.