Although the biological father may consent to adoption at any time during a pregnancy, the biological mother must give birth before she executes her consent (except in Alabama and Hawaii). Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have statutes that specify the length of time that birth mothers must wait before consenting to an adoption. The minimum waiting period ranges from twelve hours to three days after giving birth.

Since adoption is intended to place children in stable, permanent homes, a valid consent to adoption is considered irrevocable. However, to safeguard birth parents from making hasty, regrettable decisions, a period is observed in which a consent to adoption may be retracted. Although the time period varies from state to state, generally a consent can be retracted within twenty-one days.

Some adoption experts and activists favor extending the period...