 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant
- Discovery Health Channel, TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Unique pregnancy stories are informative but sensational.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series about women who didn't know that they were pregnant until they delivered often features birth reenactments that show things like women screaming in pain, frantic bystanders, and lots of blood. There's also lots of medical information about topics like contraception and prenatal care. Some of the featured mothers are teens; others are young and/or unmarried. Alcohol, drugs, and smoking are occasionally discussed as they relate to the health of the baby. Overall, the show is a little strong for tweens, but mature teens should be able to handle it.
What's the story?
I DIDN’T KNOW I WAS PREGNANT tells the stories of women who had no idea that they were expecting until they actually delivered their babies. Each episode uses reenactments, recorded 911 calls, and interviews with witnesses and the mothers themselves to explain what happened before and during the blessed -- albeit unexpected -- event. Medical professionals offer a bit of explanation about the possible ways that the women got pregnant and why they showed few (if any) typical pregnancy symptoms. The series also features pregnancy-related quizzes to help viewers understand medical facts associated with contraception, medical testing, pregnancy-related side effects, and childbirth.
Is it any good?
The series is medically informative, but it's also quite sensational. The reenactments are intended to highlight the harrowing moments when each woman realizes that not only is she pregnant, but she's actually in the final stages of delivery. The fact that many of the births take place in public bathrooms and other non-hospital settings adds to the drama.
When it comes down to it, the show is as much about entertaining viewers with unique childbirth stories as it is about educating them about birth control and pregnancy. Medical professionals offer some context and explanation for each of the featured stories; they're quick to point out that every pregnancy is different, and not everyone experiences the typical symptoms associated with having a baby. They also subtly suggest that many of the featured women were uninformed -- and, as a result, didn't recognize the signs that their body was giving them. In the end, despite the sensationalism, the series does help demystify pregnancy.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether reality shows that focus on medical phenomena are intended to educate viewers -- or are they simply trying to create entertainment out of unique medical circumstances?
Also, how has the way that the media portrays pregnancy changed over the years? Did you know that the word "pregnancy" couldn't be uttered on television in the 1950s and early '60s? How (and why) have things changed?
Is there a right age for parents and kids to talk about sex and pregnancy? Where else do kids get ideas about what is and isn't OK when it comes to sex?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Tween and Teen are ok but not ok for very young eyes.
I think it is okay if u r atleast a tween or teen.They talk about birth control and stuff about pregnancy and it may be disturbing for young eyes.But its not that bad.
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AGE
a good show for older tweens and younger teens
the show is a good and interesting one i recomend to older tweens and teens.
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AGE
awsome show
this show is awsome.....you always want to know whats going to happen next.....
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AGE
for people that can handle it
well i'm a Kid but i love this show!
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Kid, 11 years old
July 8, 2009
AGE
very.........
very gross but interesting.
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AGE
adults only
i liked it but i dont think kids should be watching it because it was disturbing ot me even as a 34 year old
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AGE
Teens
Contains some intense scenes of women screaming in pain, babies being found delivered in toilets, suggestive content such as inexplicit nudity (you know the person is nude, but you don't see any of the nudity), and some mild s--ual references such as discussion of contracepts.
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AGE
watch it!
when i saw this show i loved it!!!!!! but then i thought how can someone not know there pregnant? watch the show to find out!
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Networks: | Discovery Health Channel, TLC |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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