What is a Safe Haven Baby?
By Jonathan Tick
Putting a child up for adoption can be a lengthy process for birth mothers. The process can be as involved as the birth mother wants. Usually, the birth mother has complete control over the entire adoption process. And when pregnant and considering adoption, they have time to decide whether or not they should pursue adoption. However, some birth mothers don’t have that luxury. For one reason or another, their decision to adoption after pregnancy couldn’t happen. And for birth mothers like them, there is a solution: Safe Haven Baby.
Currently, Adoption Choices of Arizona is the only Adoption Choices agency that’s been registered as a Baby Safe Haven. And if you want to know more about the Safe Haven Baby Boxes, please call 888-742-2133 for nearby locations and help. Or 866-99BABY1 if you’re a birth mother in crisis.
So What is This Baby Box? And How Does it Work?
The Safe Haven Baby Box is a way for birth mothers to safely surrender their newborn baby in times of need or crisis. These baby boxes are attached to the walls of fire departments, medical facilities, or other registered locations for easy access. These drop-off boxes can be identified by a black-bordered box on the side of a building, with the words “Safe Haven Baby Drop-Off Box” on the front.
Using one of these baby boxes is as easy as one, two, or three. After opening the box, place your newborn inside of the bassinet that’s situated inside. Once you’ve done that, take the orange bag that’s located inside of the baby box and close the door. After that, you’re done! The door that you opened can no longer be opened from the outside. Thus keeping your baby safe inside of the box.
When the door to the baby box has been opened, a silent alarm will sound to alert nearby faculty. Once your baby is placed in the bassinet, another alarm will sound. This will signal to the fire department or medical staff that a baby has been placed inside the box. And is now ready to be safely taken to the ER for medical examination. The bag that you took will be full of resources and information to consider when deciding on the next step with your newborn.
What Happens After I Drop My Baby Off?
The surrendered newborn will typically be considered for foster care or adoption after being put in a box. Similar to what would happen if a baby was dropped off at a box at an adoption agency in Oklahoma. As those babies will also be considered for adoption after it was willfully surrendered by the birth mother.
In a sense, the Safe Haven Baby Box is the last resort for desperate birth mothers. As of now, the baby boxes have been able to save needless infant abandonments from several states. As well as provide many of those babies with new homes after being anonymously dropped off. The orange bag provided to birth mothers after drop-off can also help as its resources are useful for birth mothers in deciding what to do next now that they’ve surrendered their baby.
Should I Consider the Baby Box?
For some birth mothers, the baby box could be their only option. But for many, especially pregnant mothers considering adoption, perhaps consider other roads to go down. Our adoption agencies in Oklahoma welcome all birth mothers or expecting mothers seeking adoption even if their baby is already born.
Choosing adoption after searching through any ‘adoption agencies near me’ means you get the option to choose where your baby goes. You alone will have the power to decide the future of your baby. And Adoption Choices of Oklahoma will use all its resources to help you on that journey.
Similar to the baby boxes, Adoption Choices of Oklahoma also gives you the choice of anonymity. Closed adoption works in almost the same way. In a closed adoption, birth mothers willingly put their child up for adoption with the notion that they will not receive any updates on their baby. And the adoption agency likewise does not giving the baby’s adoptive family any information on the baby’s birth parents.
But while closed adoption does exist, it does not invalidate the need for the Safe Haven Baby Boxes. The baby boxes have saved the lives of over a thousand babies that would’ve been abandoned. And is a godsend for desperate birth mothers who need an alternative for their baby. So whether you decide that the baby box is for you, know that choosing Oklahoma adoption is an option too. And that we’re here to help Oklahoma birth mothers with any concerns with their baby they might have too.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma Help is Here to Help
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: 405-201-6643 | Email
