Adoption is a topic that hits close to home for me. There are a number of different reasons that adoption has affected my family. Without publicly airing all of my dirty laundry, let me just say that I have siblings that were adopted by other families.
The babies went to caring, loving homes and we got updates on them all from time to time. I never personally met any of those babies because I didn’t want to form a bond with them. I don’t know that I could have been okay letting them go, had I done so. I’m just happy to know that they went to great homes and have the life that they deserve.
I also personally know some people who are unable to have a baby. This affects many people and you might even know someone who is unable to conceive. There are many people who long to have a child their entire life and adoption helps enable them to start the family that they have always dreamed of.
Having said all of that, I was really excited to be able to share with you about the Oxygen series I’m Having Their Baby. The series focuses on real life stories surrounding birth mothers giving their babies up for adoption.
I wasn’t sure how I would feel going into this, but the series had my immediate interest. I felt the pain of the birth mothers having to make this ultimate, life altering decision. However, at the same time, I got to see firsthand the joy that this wonderful gift brings to the adoptive parents. It’s such a heartfelt series.
The statistics of births in the US might surprise you just as much as they did me. There are 600,000 pregnancies in the US, 3 million {that’s half!} are not planned and 14,000 place their babies up for adoption.
The video below, “I’m Having Their Baby: Raising Nayamah” is a follow up to Jamie’s season 1 story. It really warmed my heart to see how things are going a year after the fact. Both families are doing well and they even see each other on occasion. I encourage you to check it out!
After watching “I’m Having Their Baby: Raising Vivienne”, I was hooked on the series. I know how painful it is for the parents and the families to give up their babies, but at the same time, you see them going to such loving homes.
You can catch up and watch all episodes of “I?m Having Their Baby” and also get a sneak peak of season 2. The video below also shows Vivienne, her birth parents, and adoptive family a year later. They are still close as well, which is wonderful!
Now it’s your turn to watch the webisodes above and comment on your favorite or most moving part. One lucky commenter will be selected to win a $50 gift card! I?ll announce the winner on June 12th!
I am really glad that I had the chance to experience “I’m Having Their Baby“. I think it sheds a lot more light on adoption and the choices available for young mothers who just aren’t ready to give up their lives. It might even encourage couples who are unable to conceive to explore the possibility of adoption.
Here are some points to consider about the show:
- All of the birth mothers wanted to share their story openly and honestly. Oxygen’s goal was to be authentic in the representation of these very personal journeys and the mixed emotions that come along with that, allowing viewers to bear witness to the adoption process and heart-wrenching final decision each family must face
- The women featured on the show had already sought out an adoption agency and had made the choice to pursue adoption for their unborn child when they were approached to participate in the show.
- Adoption laws do vary from state to state. The production company, who had no part in influencing birth mothers, did a nationwide casting search to find these birth moms willing to share their stories. Once those individuals were selected, their stories were followed.
Connect:
You can connect with “I’m Having Their Baby” through their website, Facebook, @Oxygen on Twitter and/or through the #ImHavingTheirBaby Hashtag!
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To enter the giveaway please follow all of the directions below! If you don’t follow the rules, you can’t win!
This has been a sponsored article written in partnership with Oxygen and “I’m Having Their Baby”. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.
