For Birth Mothers
Menu
No one knew you were pregnant. No one knows about your baby. You can’t take care of your baby. What are you going to do?
Please click here to view our information packet and learn more about how the Safe Haven Law can help. Information is also available in Spanish and Polish.
An unwanted pregnancy can be a traumatic experience. You may have overwhelming feelings of isolation, fear, or shame that could lead to irrational thoughts or acts, such as unsafely abandoning your baby.
If you live in Illinois and cannot care for your newborn (30 days old or younger) you are allowed to legally and anonymously relinquish the unharmed infant to designated safe havens locations.
Safe Haven locations include:
• Hospitals
• Emergency care facilities
• Fire stations
• Police stations – including those on college campuses
Babies must be handed to a person at a Safe Haven location, but you will not be asked your name or other identifying information. No one will try to stop you or follow you.
The personnel on staff at the Safe Haven will give you an information packet which outlines how this process works and your rights as a parent. Although it is not required, you may anonymously provide medical information, so your baby will grow up with a medical history.
If you would like to talk to someone about dropping off your baby at a Safe Haven location please call our 24/7 hotline – 888-510-BABY (2229). All calls to the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation are completely confidential. We are here to help and support you, not judge you. If after reading all of this, you’d like to contact and adoption agency, please click here.
Additional Resources of trusted Crisis Centers
Maryville Crisis Nursery
Temporary emergency shelter for children under the age of seven. Do you need 24-hour crisis childcare, a referral or help NOW?
We can help. Call our 24-Hour Helpline at 773-205-3637
The Maryville Crisis Nursery provides free short-term care for children of families who are experiencing a severe disruptive crisis or a family emergency or to prevent that crisis from happening.
Children receive round-the-clock childcare from four hours to three days. This safe and nurturing environment is designed to protect them from harmful experiences and the damaging effects of trauma. Issues that bring families to the Maryville Crisis Nursery include unemployment, parental illness or hospitalization, poverty and homelessness.
6650 W. Irving Park Rd. Chicago IL 60634 https://www.maryvilleacademy.org/
Domestic Violence Victim Services
Need Help NOW? Call the Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-877-TO END DV or 1-877-863-6338 (Voice) 1-877-863-6339 (TTY)
The hotline is toll free, confidential, multilingual, and open 24-hour.
What is the purpose of this service?
Domestic violence programs located throughout Illinois provide safety assistance to victims of domestic violence.
Who can receive these services?
Services are free and private. The Helpline Operator will you decide what services will help help you.
To find a Domestic Violence Center, visit:
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31886. The list will find a center near you and a local hotline number.
What services are offered?
- Support
- Information
- Referral
- Counseling
- Safety planning
- Legal advocacy
- Children’s services
- Temporary food and housing
Programs may also provide:
- Emergency medical care
- Emergency transportation
- Employment assistance
- Educational assistance
- Childcare
Once your baby has been safely relinquished:
- The infant will be taken to the nearest hospital (if you aren’t already at a hospital) and will receive medical care if needed.
- After the baby has been examined and given a clean bill of health, hospital personnel will call the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
- DCFS will then contact an adoption agency to start the adoption process.
As of 2020, 137 newborns have safely taken to Safe Havens. They have been adopted into loving families and are leading happy, healthy lives. To learn more about some of these families, please click here.
If you take your baby to an Illinois hospital, you will be offered medical care and counseling services. Hospitals have staff members trained to help you cope and make sure you understand your rights and your options. If you do not want these services, you may simply walk away. You can also find more information about the physical and emotional changes that occur after giving birth in this brochure. It is also available in Spanish and Polish.
Although they vary by state, every state has a Safe Haven law. Information about laws in other states can be found by clicking here.
When you bring your newborn baby to a Safe Haven you will be offered forms to fill out. If you wish, you may download them here and bring them with you when you relinquish your newborn.
Every child deserves a safe, loving and permanent home. You can help provide this by planning to have your baby adopted, even before giving birth. Any of the adoption agencies listed here would be happy to help you make an adoption plan for your child. Agency staff carefully interview and check the backgrounds of prospective adoptive parents to make sure that they:
- Have no criminal or child abuse history
- Have room in their home for a child
- Can support the child financially
- Can provide a loving, safe home