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How to Place. a Baby in Upstate and Rural New York
Upstate New York is a place all its own. If you are dealing with an unexpected pregnancy in rural or upstate New York, you should not feel that distance is a barrier. The North Country, the Southern Tier, the Adirondacks, and small towns across upstate New York all have women who have been in your situation. They worry about fewer resources or about privacy issues in their small community. Some of these areas, and right now we are aware of the stretch between Glens Falls and Plattsburgh, are facing the lose of hospital maternity services. We want to make sure you have the help, services, and counseling available. We travel to you, or we work with you by phone or video.
Counseling is available from the first moment that you call. We can start supporting you immediately and help you find the services you need. If you are considering adoption, we can offer you financial help starting at month 8 of your pregnancy.
Florida Phone: 518-557-1722
Ithaca, New York Office
200 E Buffalo St # 301, Ithaca, NY 14850
Reviewed by: Jodi Grizzle, LCSW (Clinical Director) | Wendy Knowles, Birth Parent Support Specialist
Last reviewed: August 2026
What support is available for birth mothers in Upstate and Rural New York?
What help do you need? That is the type of help we want to provide.
Heart to Heart Adoptions has spent 20 years giving free support to women living in upstate and rural New York.
- Counseling: available 24/7, from your very first call — no waiting period
- Starting in the final month of your pregnancy we can assist with housing. If, however, you are in an unsafe space or toxic situation, we can find you a way out.
- We can help with medical care. This help extends do rides to and from medical appoints for the final month of your pregnancy.
- Groceries and daily needs: help that fits where you live
- Legal: your own free adoption lawyer
There are always special challenges for those women living in the rural areas of New York. Often transportation is more difficult, the medical facilities made be spread out more. Smaller communities often make birth mothers feel they are under a microscope and that there is a lack of privacy. Telehealth has become a lifeline for many North Country families, and Heart to Heart Adoptions’ counselors understand these realities and can help you find what works for your specific town.
Hospitals in this area
If you’re making a hospital plan, here are two maternity hospitals anchoring the North Country. Your caseworker can coordinate with either of these, or with a hospital closer to where you live.
- CVPH Medical Center — Alice T. Miner Women & Children’s Center
75 Beekman Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
- Samaritan Medical Center
830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601 | 315-785-4000
This area has more than the medical facilities listed above. If you have associations with others, we are happy to work with them. one you feel the most comfortable with, even if it does not include either of the ones listed.
How does the adoption process work here?
You have started the help process when you call. This does not mean that you are under any kind of obligation to place your child for adoption in New York or anywhere else. This just means, you. Have now connected with someone that can give you options and advice.
Whatever happens from here on out is up to you. It will be done at your pace and in conjunction with your unique situation.
One interesting thing about New York State law is that if you sign consent for the adoption, outside of court, New York law gives you a window in which to change your mind. New York is consistent with most states when they require that you have your own free lawyers.
Another perk of placing a child in New York is that you can write how you want contact with the adoptive family after the placement. This contact contract can be approved by a judge and once that happens, it becomes an enforceable contract. This is really nice protection for you to know you will have contact after the placement, if you want that contact. Also, this contract can be changed if you decide you want more or less contact.
Click the link below to go to a page that talks more about the adoption process in New York state.
→ How the adoption process works in New York — full step-by-step
/how-do-i-place-a-baby-for-adoption-in-new-york/
“Women up here are tough. They understand driving in snow on winding roads. But we don’t want them to be stressed during the last months of a pregnancy and so we do everything we can to provide safe housing, convenient medical care and support.”
— Birth Parent Support Specialist, North Country
Can I stay connected with my child after adoption in Upstate and Rural New York?
Yes. New York is one of the few states where a Post-Adoption Contact Agreement is enforceable by law. The contract will need to be approved by a judge. We make that part of the process easy for you. In this contract you get to decide what kind of contact you want and how often. We will help you create the written contract, and we will explain how the contract can be updated as life goes on.
Go to the link below to read more about contracts and more about how open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption work in New York.
→ Open adoption in New York — how it works and what’s protected
/open-adoption-in-new-york/
A North Country Adoption Story
An unexpected pregnancy is always difficult, but being due in the last part of January when the cold prevails day after day and the roads feel icy and slick even when the sun makes and appearance is especially hard. Kia* didn’t have a dependable vehicle, neither did her roommate. Certainly, the tires were not in peak condition for traveling through a storm.
Hayley, Kia’s case manager, felt that the woman should be in less precarious situation during the end of her pregnancy. For Kia, an Airbnb close to a local hospital was the solution. Kia’s roommate came with her and the two women spent a comfortable (if you can be comfortable 8 months pregnant) month before the baby was born and before the adoptive family came.
Because the weather was cold and another storm rolled into the valley, the adoptive family rented an Airbnb around the corner and the cold winter became a time of bonding, sharing, and incredible love for a newborn.
“I couldn’t believe how wonderful the weeks surrounding the birth of my baby was. Living near the hospital, having the adoptive family come and stay. It was the most blessed time. I relive those weeks over and over in my head and am so grateful for what Hayley did for me.”
— Kia, Birth mother, Upstate New York
What are common questions from women in rural and upstate New York?
Regardless of their circumstances, women in New York often ask questions similar to the following:
- Can I really do this without traveling to a city?
- What if I’m hours from Albany or any major city?
- Can counseling happen by phone?
- How do I keep this private in a small town?
- What if getting to medical appointments is hard?
Heart to Heart Adoptions has answered all of these for women living in the most remote parts of the state.
What if getting to medical appointments is a problem where I live?
Help getting to medical appointments is part of Heart to Heart Adoption’s support system. Starting at month 8 of pregnancy under New York law we can help provide you with transportation, especially if you don’t have reliable transportation of your own. We can also provide or pay for day care for any child/ren you may be raising. Your caseworker will help figure out what you need.
What about privacy in a small upstate town?
It makes sense that you would be worried about privacy in a small town. Not everyone will understand your decision. Everything we do at Heart to Heart Adoptions is only shared with those parties who absolutely need to know. Which in most cases is a very small group. Often no one. We never share information outside the legal process. Counseling can happen by phone or video. This means you won’t have to walk into a local office where someone might recognize you. Your caseworker can help you think through the logistics in a way that protects your privacy.
Real Questions Women Ask About Upstate Rural New York
Explore each topic in more detail.
What if I live hours from the nearest city?
Distance is not a barrier. Phone and video counseling reach every part of the state, no matter how remote.
Can adoption services come to me?
Most of the process happens by phone or video. For anything that requires an in-person step, your caseworker works around your location.
Can I complete an adoption plan without frequent travel?
Yes. Many women complete their entire plan with minimal to no travel beyond their existing medical appointments.
What if transportation is difficult?
Help getting to medical appointments is part of Heart to Heart’s support starting at month 8 of pregnancy. Your caseworker will help figure out what you need.
Can I still choose my baby's family?
Yes. Distance from a city doesn’t limit your choices. You review the same family profiles and have the same say as any birth mother in New York.
Is adoption really free for birth mothers in Upstate and Rural New York?
Yes. Heart to Heart pays for everything. This includes legal help, counseling, case management, medical coordination. Living-cost help also starts at month 8 of pregnancy, under New York law.
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What if I'm not sure about adoption yet?
Support which includes counseling, starts with your first call, before you’ve decided anything. The month-8 rule under NY law only affects money for living costs. Counseling and emotional support start right away.
We're Here for You
Whether you're just starting to explore or ready to talk, our compassionate team is here to listen and support you—without pressure or judgment.
Does the adoptive family and the birth mother share a lawyer?
No. The adoptive family’s lawyer works for them. You get your own free lawyer. This lawyer is an attorney who only represents you. This attorney is provided for you at no cost.
⬇ Your Rights as a Birth Mother in New York (PDF)
(free PDF, no signup required)
Will I be pressured to sign the adoption papers.
No. You should never feel pressured to sign anything.
⬇ DOWNLOAD: Questions to Ask Your Adoption Attorney (PDF
(free PDF, no signup required)
New York Downloadable PDFs to Help Plan an Adoption
→ Adoption Help in New York City
→ Adoption Help on Long Island, New York
→ Adoption Help in Albany and the Capital Region
→ Adoption Help in Buffalo and Western New York
→ Adoption Help in Rochester, New York
→ Adoption Help in Syracuse and Central New York
→ Adoption Help in the Hudson Valley, New York
→ Adoption Help for Upstate and Rural New York
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