Resources for Birth Mothers
Pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting can bring questions that feel urgent, complicated, or difficult to talk about. You may need help finding prenatal care, safe housing, food, transportation, counseling, or other practical support. You may also simply need a confidential place to ask questions about what comes next. KidsFirst Adoption is available to listen and help you understand the resources and choices that may be available to you in Indiana.
Contacting KidsFirst does not mean you have decided on adoption. You can reach out to ask questions, talk through your situation, or learn about adoption services and pregnancy resources in Indiana without pressure or judgment. Whether you are pregnant, have recently delivered, or are already parenting, you can take the time you need to understand your options and decide what feels right for you and your child.
CHIP Handbook of Help
A reference handbook that provides multiple direct providers by sections such as: housing, healthcare, food pantries and more.
INDYCOC
Are you experiencing homelessness?
Online resource for help providers for people in need or at risk of homelessness.
Shepherd Community Center
Shepherd Community Center Programs
DELIVERING 360º CARE Empowering our community MAKE A DIFFERENCE CONTINUUM OF CARE Providing hope and support for all Breaking the cycle of poverty requires a significant shift in perspective spiritually, emotionally, socially, and academically.
How KidsFirst Supports Expectant and Birth Parents
KidsFirst has supported birth mothers and families since 1998. The agency can help with questions about medical appointments, insurance, financial needs, legal concerns, and personal or community resources. If you are unsure where to begin, you do not need to have every detail figured out before reaching out.
Support can look different for every person. You may need help understanding available community programs, finding transportation to an appointment, connecting with mental health resources, or learning what an adoption plan would involve. KidsFirst can talk with you about your circumstances and help identify resources that may fit your needs.
KidsFirst can listen to your situation, explain adoption-related options and provide general resource information when parenting concerns are involved. Financial assistance and more direct support are available to women who choose to work with KidsFirst through the adoption process.
You can also contact KidsFirst after delivery or while parenting. If you are having a difficult time and want to understand the choices available to you, the conversation can start wherever you are. KidsFirst offers a 24/7 call or text line for birth mothers and parents who need immediate support. For non-urgent questions, you can also contact KidsFirst through the agency website.
Emotional support matters, too. Pregnancy, parenting challenges, and adoption can bring many emotions. KidsFirst can help connect you with appropriate counseling or community support when available. Counseling should give you room to talk honestly about your feelings and choices, not pressure you toward a particular decision.
Understanding Your Options if You Are Considering Adoption
Adoption is one option you may want to understand, but asking about adoption does not commit you to making an adoption plan. If you decide you want to explore adoption, KidsFirst can explain the process, answer your questions, and help you think about what matters most to you and your child.
An adoption plan can reflect your preferences. You may have the opportunity to review profiles of approved waiting families, meet a family you are considering, and ask questions before making a decision. You can think about the values, lifestyle, family relationships, location, or other qualities that are important to you.
You can also discuss what type of contact you may want after placement. Depending on the circumstances, options may include open adoption, semi-open adoption with updates and pictures, or closed adoption with more privacy. Hospital preferences and post-placement communication can also be part of the conversation. KidsFirst can help you understand these choices while you create an adoption plan if you decide adoption is the path you want to pursue.
Financial assistance may also be available for certain pregnancy-related or living expenses when allowed under Indiana law and applicable to your situation. KidsFirst can explain what may be available and how those arrangements work. The purpose of this support is to address legitimate needs, not to influence your decision about adoption.
Finding Practical and Emotional Support
Sometimes the most immediate concern is not adoption. It may be having enough food, finding a safe place to stay, getting to a medical appointment, or knowing where to turn when money is tight. The resources already listed on this page can help you begin looking for support with housing, healthcare, food, homelessness, and other basic needs.
The CHIP Handbook of Help provides information about local service providers organized by need. INDYCOC offers resources for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing housing, and Shepherd Community Center provides programs intended to support families and individuals in the Indianapolis community. Because program availability and eligibility can change, contact the organization directly for current information.
Emotional support can be just as important as practical help. Some birth parents find it helpful to speak with an adoption-informed counselor, participate in a peer support group, or connect with others who have had similar experiences. If you look for support online, consider the group’s privacy practices, moderation, and whether the space feels respectful and emotionally safe. You can also ask KidsFirst about counseling or community connections that may be appropriate for you.
KidsFirst can also provide a list of resources and answer adoption-related questions without any obligation to work with us, while more direct assistance accessing those resources is available to clients who choose to work with the agency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Mother Support
Can I contact KidsFirst if I am not sure about adoption?
Yes. You can contact KidsFirst to ask questions and understand your options without committing to adoption. Speaking with the agency can simply be a first step toward getting information and deciding what you want to do next.
Can I contact KidsFirst after my baby has been born?
Yes. KidsFirst works with people during pregnancy, after delivery, and while they are parenting. If you have already given birth and are struggling or unsure what options are available, you can still reach out for information and support.
Will my conversation with KidsFirst be confidential?
KidsFirst states that it respects your privacy and maintains confidentiality. There are limited situations in which information must be reported, including when a child is in danger or someone’s life is in danger. You can ask KidsFirst directly about confidentiality before sharing details if you have concerns.
Can I choose the adoptive family if I decide on adoption?
Yes. If you decide to create an adoption plan, KidsFirst can provide profiles of approved waiting families. You can review the families, ask questions, and decide whether you would like to meet a family before moving forward. Your preferences can be part of the adoption plan.
