a woman had a baby?

Question

a woman had a baby and then left it in the bathroom stall in a hospital. what should she have done if she didnt want the baby ?

yes the baby is fine

Answer 1

She had many options during that time. While she was pregnant and knew she didn't want to keep the child she could have looked into adoption then.

Also most states have what is called " Safe Haven" law s which means that generally a woman (some states say it can be the mother only, some say both parents it's all depending on state) can relinquish her infant at any local police station, fire station, ER or hospital without being charged with any crime. Nebraska and Alaska are the only states that don't have any type of Safe Haven law.

I wish more women knew about Safe Haven's and the Safe Haven Law, there would be less babies left in dumpsters if girls and women were educated that they COULD relinquish without being charged with any crime.

To read more about it check out the links below,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_haven_law

http://www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org/home.html

Answer 2

She should have contacted an adoption agency during her pregnancy so she could choose an adoptive family for her baby and get some counseling as well. There is no charge for birth mothers to use these services as it is covered through the fees the adoptive couple pays to adopt the baby.

She also could have had the baby at the hospital and informed the nurses that she wanted to relinquish her rights and place the baby for adoption.

It is so sad that some women think they will get in trouble for telling someone at the hospital or social services that they don't want the baby. I know in our state a woman can take her unharmed baby to any hospital or police station and leave them there, no questions asked and she won't be in any kind of trouble at all.

Answer 3

Go to ANY hospital, fire station, police station, church, ANYWHERE. Most states have a no questions asked "safe keeping" policy. You bring the baby in, say "I am bringing this baby for safe keeping" and leave. The hospital or where ever will know what to do. Never ever leave the baby. There are people out there who will find the baby a good home. There are laws protecting the birth mother from prosecution if she does certain things like making sure the baby is left in a safe place. It is the Abandoned Infant Protection Act.

Answer 4

Leaving it in the hospital is OK, a lot of states have a safe haven law, so people who don't want babies don't just throw them away in the trash like yesterdays garbage. But I think she should have left it with a nurse. Chances are the baby wasn't in the bathroom long so I would bet the baby is OK, it wasn't the best choice but better than some.

Answer 5

She left it in a place that it would be found quickly and get immediate medical attention. Yes it would be nice if she could go through a proper adoption but this is not always an option.

Safe haven laws protect these infants and their mothers. At least with a safe haven law this baby didn't end up dead just so the mom could avoid prosecution.

Answer 6

In our state you can take the baby to "Safe" places and leave them without questions. It has stopped people from abandoning them in trash cans and such. They can take them to the ER, fire dept, and police I believe. They don't have to say anything and the babies are put into the foster system and up for adoption. It's sad someone would abandon a baby. I thank God for the grace that has kept myself from ever being in a situation to do something so horrific to a baby. I know I've made better choices, but only by the grace of God.

Answer 7

You can turn your baby over to the hospital up to 30 days after birth. She should have done that, or found another way to give the child up for adoption.

Answer 8

thank god the baby is fine. if she was at a hospital she should of gave the child to the nursery, not the bathroom. there is adoption, abortion, and the safe haven. I think the woman should of been on the pill or not having sex if she didnt want to get pregnant.

Answer 9

You know I was watching the news this morning about a baby being left in a local tech college, in a rubbish bin. It was there for a week!! And had died. So sad.

She shouldn't have left it in a bathroom. She should have handed the baby to a nurse in the Emergency room.

Answer 10

she did the right thing, most states have what we know as a safe haven law. it doesn't necessarily require you to physically hand your child over and give all medical background, you can go to a local hospital, firestation, or clinic and leave your child there. i know she must have had reasons for not being able to take care of her child, but its a good thing that she set her child somewhere for people to help ... at least the baby can get what they need now. bless that baby!