How much does a birth mother get when she puts her baby up for adoption?

Birth mothers cannot get paid for putting a baby up for adoption. Buying and selling human beings is illegal in the United States under laws prohibiting slavery, among others. However, many states allow the birth mother's expenses to be paid by an adoptive family.

Most states allow the adopting family to pay the medical and legal expenses of a birth mother giving up her child for adoption. Many states also allow the adoptive family to pay for counseling and basic living expenses. A few states also allow for payment of any travel expenses and lost wages incurred due to the birth mother's pregnancy.