Support for Expecting Mothers
Every journey is unique, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Whether you are thinking about adoption or planning to parent, Hannah’s Hope will help you make informed decisions. Explore your options:
Working with Hannah's Hope
as an expecting mother
Support Services Offered
- Counseling
- Supplies for Safe Parenting
- Emergency Assistance
- Utilities
- Food
Additional Resources
An unplanned pregnancy can cause stress in many areas of life. Below is a list of additional West Tennessee resources to help provide guidance, assistance, and support. Your Hannah’s Hope social worker will help you make the connections to the specific services you need most.
SNAP/ Families First/ TANF: You can begin the process of applying online at tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services
United Way: call drivingthedream.org or call 1-888-709-0630
LINC- TN community services hotline: Call 2-1-1
Domestic Violence: Helpline Call: 1-800-356-6767
WRAP (Safe Exit): Helpline Call: 1-800-273-8712 www.wraptn.org
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
LeBonheur Nurse-Family Partnership: https://www.lebonheur.org/our-services/community-health/community-programs/nurse-family-partnership/
UT Healthy Families/ Healthy Families Tennessee - University of Tennessee at Martin:
Call 731-881-7917
Strongwell: 1-888-339-9404 Provides a team of experienced counselors, doctors, and nurses to women who are pregnant and have an addiction history through pregnancy and the first year of a baby’s life.
Pathways: Call 1-800-372-0693
Mental Health Hotline: Call 1-855-CRISIS
West TN Legal Services: Call 731-668-0411 or 1-800-273-8712
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a birth mother/father/parent?
A birth mother or first mother are terms used to describe a woman after she gives birth and makes an adoption plan for her child. A birth father is the term used to describe the biological father of a child placed for adoption.
As the birth mother, what will this cost me?
Choosing adoption doesn’t cost the birth mother anything. All necessary services will be provided by Hannah’s Hope. Additionally, the birth mother does not need to have clothes, a carseat, or any other items.
Who has parental rights to my child in the State of Tennessee?
Only the birth mother and birth father have parental rights in the State of Tennessee. (Grandparents or other family members do not hold these rights.)
What happens if I don’t have contact or know the birth father?
Agency staff will be able to assist you whether the birth father is known or not.
For adoption, do both birth parents' rights have to be terminated?
Yes. Both parents’ rights will have to be terminated.
The Hannah’s Hope legal team will handle all legal aspects of termination for both birth parents.
Even though adoption is the right choice for me, I’m worried I will never know about or see my birth child again.
Hannah’s Hope is an open adoption agency. We only work with prospective adoptive couples who are open to having a relationship with the birth parents.
* Names changed for the privacy of Hannah’s Hope families