The parental rights of the birth mother are never terminated until after the baby is born. Prior to the baby's birth, she can't sign anything, she can't say anything, she can't do anything that commits her to the adoption. That will only happen after the baby is born. It will vary from state to state of when her rights will be terminated. There are some states where it can be terminated as early as 12 hours after the baby is born, and there are other states where it may take as much as six or eight weeks before the parental rights of the mother are terminated. In California, typically, you're using an adoption agency, rights can be terminated fairly quickly, within a week or two. If you are doing an independent adoption, it will take a little longer. The mother has to sign something called, "Adoption Placement Agreement." Thirty days after the document is signed, her rights are terminated. There's a procedure where she can waive her 30 day time period, but it will vary in terms of where you are in the process.