Adoption Maternity Leave for Birth and Adoptive Mothers in Texas

Maternity leave in Texas is a common concern for pregnant women. It is one of the most common internet searches that pregnant women make at some point during their pregnancy. There are many questions attached to maternity leave, such as Will my employer give me maternity leave? Will I get paid for my maternity leave? Can I afford to take maternity leave?

If you are a prospective birth mother or adoptive mother, the idea of adoption maternity leave may be even more complicated in your mind. You may be wondering if you are even eligible to get maternity leave if you place your child for adoption or are given a child through adoption. Adoption maternity leave for birth and adoptive mothers in Texas is a complicated issue. Still, this post, along with other resources from Adoption Choices of Texas, will be able to give you a better idea about adoption maternity leave and if you are eligible. 

If you need help with adoption now, you can call us at 888-307-3340, text us at 888-307-3340, or email us here.

Family Medical Leave Act in Texas

An important term that you need to familiarize yourself with when it comes to adoption maternity leave is FMLA or the Family Medical Leave Act. 

This is a federal law that requires mothers to be allowed by their employers to take time off of work after giving birth. This time off allows mothers to be able to heal, recover, or bond with their children. The minimum time off that employers must give mothers the option to take off is twelve weeks. Whether or not that time off is paid or not depends on the employer. 

While adoption is not specifically listed in the FMLA, birth mothers and adoptive mothers can take advantage of the FMLA in Texas. They are included in the law, even if it is not explicitly stated. It is your right to be able to take time off that you need to heal your body and prepare your mind for the next phase of your life. 

Adoption Maternity Leave for Birth Mothers in Texas

If you are a prospective birth mother in Texas, you may be concerned that you are not eligible for adoption maternity leave in Texas. You must know that you have a legal right to take time off throughout your pregnancy, after birth, and within twelve months after your child is born. The fact that you are placing your child for adoption after giving birth does not minimize your need for time off. 

You will have gone through an exhausting journey, and you need time to heal. Many birth mothers in Texas will take as much time off as possible after giving birth to allow themselves to recover physically and mentally, and emotionally as well. 

How long your maternity leave is will depend on your employer as well as your financial situation. We at Adoption Choices of Texas understand that finances are a big concern for birth mothers in taking time off after giving birth to their children. That is why Adoption Choices of Texas will be there to help you after your birth and during your maternity leave. We can help you with rent, transportation, food, phones, and many other financial concerns. 

Adoption Maternity Leave for Adoptive Mothers in Texas 

Adoptive mothers in Texas are also concerned with whether or not they are eligible for adoption maternity leave even though they have not given birth themselves. The short answer to adoptive mothers wondering if they are eligible is yes, of course! 

Adoptive mothers in Texas are protected under the FMLA to have the right to take maternity leave after adopting a child. The adoption process is often long and emotional. Many adoptive families may spend years trying to adopt, and then suddenly, in a short amount of time, they have a child to adopt. You need time to adjust to taking care of a new baby and learning your new normal. 

You have the right to take up to twelve weeks of maternity leave that your employer must give you. Whether or not that time is fully paid depends on your employer. And while finances may be an issue for you to take the full twelve weeks off of work, we encourage adoptive mothers and fathers in Texas to take as much time off as possible. This time is important for you to bond with your new baby and adapt to your new life. 

Adoption Maternity Leave for Birth and Adoptive Mothers in Texas 

Adoption maternity leave is a common concern for both birth and adoptive mothers in Texas alike. If you are a prospective birth mother or adoptive mother in Texas, the idea of adoption maternity leave may not seem possible. 

But it is! 

Regardless of whether you are a birth mother or an adoptive mother, you are entitled to have a designated time off to either heal from delivery or bond with your new baby. Whether you take the full twelve weeks off or want to have more time off, your adoption team at Adoption Choices of Texas will be able to answer any questions you have about adoption maternity leave in Texas. 

As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 888-307-3340, text us at 888-307-3340, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!

Meet the Author: Sarah Henderson can best be described as someone with an eclectic taste in all things related to literacy and writing. She can be found reading a wide array of subjects from true crime novels to the next young adult fantasy series. Because of her love of literature, it has been Sarah’s dream to become a novelist herself. 

After graduating from college in 2019, Sarah has been spending her time planning, researching and writing for her first novel. When she isn’t reading or writing her novel, you can find Sarah out for her early morning run, hiking a three-plus mile hike or cooking her favorite vegan meal. She presently lives in Indianapolis, IN and is waiting for the next chapter of her life to begin!