Yes, the prospective adoptive parent(s) may have the baby with them prior to the birth parents signing consent to adoption. The mother may request they may be allowed to visit at the hospital and the baby may be discharged (depending on hospital policy) directly to an adoption agency, an attorney or sometimes, the prospective adoptive parents. They are not, however, adoptive parents at that time, and they acknowledge this is a temporary placement PENDING consent of the parents. Should the parents decide not to consent to the adoption, the baby is returned to them. Once the birth parents consent to the adoption, the child resides with the adopting family while the court procedures are initiated.