Adoption Maternity Leave in Oklahoma
As a birth mother, you must have a lot of questions about what to expect from the adoption process. How do I find an adoption agency? How do I find adoptive parents? Will I be able to see my child after he or she is born? It’s possible you’re also wondering what will happen immediately after the adoption process ends. What happens after the adoption is finalized? What happens after I give birth and the adoptive parents take my baby home with them? Can I, as a birth mother, take time off when I’m not the one raising my child? Adoptive parents – adoptive mothers in particular – may have similar questions. Can I, as an adoptive mother, take time off when I’m not the one who carried and delivered the child? The Family and Medical Leave Act – which requires unpaid, job-protected leave for those working under covered employers – does allow maternity leave in adoption cases. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma can explain how maternity leave works for those involved in adoption.
Maternity Leave for Birth Mothers
Adoption is a long and exhausting process. It’s a very emotional time for the birth mother. She made a very brave but difficult decision when she chose adoption for herself and her child. She’s saying goodbye to the child she carried for nine months, and depending on her adoption plan, she may not see her child often, if at all.
The pregnancy and delivery are also very tiring. Depending on the type of delivery – vaginal delivery or cesarean section – the birth mother may need more time to physically recuperate. Women who have had C-sections tend to get more time off to recover from the surgery.
For these reasons, a birth mother can apply for maternity leave if she feels it is what’s best for her well-being.
If you’re a birth mother who would like to apply for maternity leave, you should talk to your employer as soon as possible. It’s important that you know what policies or benefits are in place at your company. If necessary, you can use up the entire. If you feel like you’re ready to go back to work, you can end your leave early.
Maternity Leave for Adoptive Mothers
Unlike birth mothers, adoptive mothers aren’t directly affected by the pregnancy. They’re not dealing with hormones, and they’re not physically recuperating after childbirth. Even so, they understandably want time off from work after the child is born.
Once the child is born and the adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents will need some time to get everything at home situated. They’ll want to spend time with their new baby. Adoptive mothers will want the baby to warm up to them. They may see maternity leave as an opportunity to bond with the baby.
Adoptive mothers are allowed to apply for maternity leave, but they’ll have to determine when their maternity leave will start. Will it start shortly before the child’s birth or immediately after the child’s birth? Will they need time off to travel? Adoption mothers should find time to discuss their plans with their employers.
Adoption and Maternity Leave in Oklahoma
Maternity leave laws vary depending on the state, and maternity leave policies vary depending on the employer. You’ll have to do some research to determine what your options are. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma understands how valuable maternity leave is for birth mothers and adoptive parents alike. The sooner you determine what laws and policies are in place at your job – the sooner you layout a maternity leave plan – the better. If you have any questions about adoption or life after adoption, be sure to contact us.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and a leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive families in Oklahoma for over 19 years. Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized adoption experience to all involved in the adoption process. If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email
Meet the Author: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.
When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”
