The Learning Channel continues its emphasis on the unconventional with a one-hour special titled Obese and Expecting airing on May 17. The documentary-style program will focus on four morbidly obese women hoping to overcome the health risks associated with being extremely overweight and pregnant as they struggle to become moms.
From TLC:
“Maria, Alissa, Denise and Jeanette are four moms-to-be with a common problem: morbid obesity. This hour-long special dives deep into their pregnancy struggles and their hopes of delivering healthy babies. Through major health crisis, excessive weight gain and relationship drama, they share it all. These women are challenging the perception and the odds of obese pregnancies as they become moms, no matter their size or complications.”
As mentioned, the show will be a one-hour special, but if viewer reaction is positive, TLC will look to turn it into a reality series. The network has a successful track record using this method, launching popular shows like Toddlers & Tiaras and Extreme Couponing in the same way.
Obese & Expecting premieres May 17 at 9/8c on TLC. It will be followed by another one-hour special (and possible backdoor pilot) Birth Moms, which will document the “lives of three birth moms living at an adoption center in Utah and struggling with the decision to put their babies up for adoption.”
Here is the full description of the second half of TLC’s pregnancy doubleshot:
“A real raw human drama, BIRTH MOMS (wt) looks behind the agonizing dilemma that begins every adoption story. This one-hour special focuses on the lives of three birth moms living at an adoption center in Utah and struggling with the decision to put their babies up for adoption. Tensions run high as this diverse group of women from around the country interact during this tumultuous time. As each mother is introduced, we’ll find out what brought her to the center and follow her journey through childbirth. We’ll witness face-to-face meetings with prospective adoptive parents who desperately want these children, and be present for the gut wrenching moment when each birth mom must finally decide if they will give their baby up for adoption.”
