Terrified by your newborn baby?

If you’ve had a baby in secret, do not panic. Your baby needs you to make good decisions. If you are too scared to let anyone know, do not let your fear take over. Make sure you are healthy and the baby is healthy, warm and clean. You may choose to leave your baby with any responsible adult. Safe surrender is legal and anonymous.

Safe surrender is meant for women who are scared, who want to keep their identity unknown, and who are not willing or able to take advantage of the other choices available to them. It is legal to find a responsible adult and hand them the baby. (Do not leave the baby someplace hoping someone will find it!) The person may be a health care provider, law enforcement officer, social services worker, or emergency medical personnel, or it may be anyone who appears to be responsible.

If you choose safe surrender, you are not required by law to give any information. However, it would help your baby and the family who adopts him or her if you make some health and family history information available to your child.

If you or your baby need medical attention, get it right away. Having a baby without any medical help can lead to serious complications for the woman or the baby. It is better to seek help than to risk serious health consequences. More resources are available than you may know.

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical care right away: vaginal bleeding that doesn't slow down when you rest, a bad smell to vaginal blood, a fever of 101 or above, pain in the abdomen or vaginal area, severe headaches, blurred vision, or a feeling of burning when you urinate.

Other options

Safe surrender is not the only way to give a baby up for adoption, and it’s not the best way.

There are agencies that can help you arrange for the adoption of your child to a safe and loving home. Contact your county department of social services or a licensed adoption agency. You will be able to share information that your child will need later in life.

Advice for pregnant and new mothers is available at 1-800-FOR-BABY.