I hope everyone had a box of tissues with them to get through this episode. This episode kept my eyes watering from beginning to end. 

We quickly learn that Kristina has been through a lot over the past few months. Not only is she five months pregnant, but a couple of months ago, she lost her fiancé, Todd, who is also the father of the baby. He drowned in the ocean, with Kristina right by his side. When you were watching this episode did you think of Farrah at all? The dad of Farrah’s daughter also died in a tragic accident, but I couldn’t help but feel even worse for Kristina. Maybe because they were engaged or maybe because Kristina was more open about it. How did you feel hearing about what happened in Galveston?

Kristina spends most of her time with her Aunt Dottie and Uncle Daniel, who also happens to be Todd’s brother.  She even plans to raise her baby at their house. Throughout the episode we watch Kristina struggle with Todd’s death. Whenever someone brings up that day in Galveston, you can see Kristina shut down. Everyone wants her to be able to talk about the loss, but she just isn’t ready to deal with the emotions. Kristina’s family is worried that the stress and emotions that Kristina is keeping inside will affect the pregnancy. Do you think Kristina’s family should have let her cope in her own way or do you think she should have tried to be more open?                                                                         

Stress along with being a teen mom is a bad combination. Children of teen mothers are more likely to be born prematurely and at low birthweight than children of older mothers. Two months before her due date, Kristina goes to the hospital because she is having pains in her stomach. Kristina has gone into early labor, but the baby isn’t developed enough—he weighs less than three pounds! Doctors decide to try and prevent labor, but this also means that Kristina will have to stay in the hospital until her due date (which is still two months away). Kristina doesn’t handle the news well and she already can’t stand it. It was so hard to watch Kristina talk about how much she misses Todd and just wants him there. Kristina and everyone around her look so helpless. 

To cheer her up, Kristina’s family has a surprise baby shower in the hospital. This puts a smile on Kristina’s face, but she is really happy when the doctor finally tells Kristina she can have a C-section. When Kristina is first asked whether she wants anyone in the operating room with her, she says no. This clearly upsets Kristina’s mom because she has felt left out throughout the pregnancy. Kristina finally decides to let her mom go with her. Do you think Kristina’s mom overreacted because not being allowed into the room at first or was Kristina being too harsh? The delivery goes well, but because the baby is premature he is rushed to the NICU. Kristina decides to name her son Lucas because Todd liked the name.

Kristina has a really tough time leaving Lucas at the hospital and is clearly upset when she goes home. She is worried that what happened to Todd will happen to Lucas. I can’t imagine having this constant fear of losing someone you love.  Kristina is finally able to take Lucas home and everyone says he looks just like Todd. Dottie is teaching Kristina how to be a good mom, but I think it was pretty obvious that Kristina was depressed and pretty disconnected. Did you all have the same impression?

Kristina decides to go see a therapist to deal with her depression. She tells the therapist she is afraid of looking weak if she cries about Todd. I don’t know how she was able to keep everything in for so long! She knows that the best way to start coping with Todd’s death is remembering the good times. By the end of the episode it looks like Kristina is starting to get to a better place. She meets with Todd’s mom for dinner and explains that she plans on going back to school. Kristina says she doesn’t want to feel numb for the rest of her life and her baby needs to see her happy.  I really hope Kristina can continue to cope with the loss.

With an episode as intense like this, I would love to hear yours thoughts!  

This post was written by Roxanne, an intern for The National Campaign. Roxanne recently graduated from George Washington University where she studied human services and public health. She loves sports and traveling. She hopes to travel the world someday. Want to ask Roxanne a question? Send us an email!