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Ever watched a TV storyline and thought, ‘Wait, that could have been so much more?’ That’s exactly how I felt after reading about Stella’s pregnancy on Chicago Fire. The show surprised fans with this warm, unexpected plot twist, but as Season 10 rolls on, a glaring detail keeps bothering me — one that, if addressed, could have added layers of realness and hope to the story.
So here’s the thing: Stella’s pregnancy is a beautiful development for her character, yet the show missed an incredible chance to tie in a heartfelt adoption subplot involving Aunt Laverne. Instead of embracing the nuances of family building in all its forms, the storyline largely skipped over the profound emotions and choices surrounding adoption — an option that many families turn to every day, including those who use assisted reproductive technologies or at-home insemination kits like those from MakeAMom.
What Happened With Stella & Aunt Laverne?
In a recent Screen Rant article (you’ve got to check it out: This Chicago Fire Pregnancy Bothers Me More Every Time I Think About One Major Character Detail), the writer points out that Aunt Laverne was initially set up to potentially adopt Stella’s baby. This could have been a powerful storyline exploring the emotional complexity of giving and receiving a child through adoption. Instead, it got sidelined, leaving viewers feeling like a key opportunity to showcase the beautiful spectrum of family-building was missed.
Why Does This Matter So Much?
Because stories like Stella’s can shape how we perceive all kinds of families — whether through pregnancy, adoption, or assisted reproductive technology (ART). And as someone who’s explored different family-building paths, I know how validating it is to see these journeys reflected authentically on screen.
When I first heard about MakeAMom, a company providing at-home insemination kits tailored for different needs (like low motility sperm or users with vaginismus), I realized how important it is for people to feel empowered in their paths to parenthood. MakeAMom’s approach is personal, affordable, and discreet, perfectly aligning with the real, imperfect, and hopeful journeys many go through.
The Bigger Picture: Family Building Beyond Pregnancy
Pregnancy is just one part of the puzzle. Many families build themselves through:
- Adoption and foster care — offering love and home to children in need.
- Assisted reproductive technologies — like IVF, IUI, or at-home insemination.
- Blended families and surrogacy — creating bonds beyond traditional notions.
By missing out on fleshing out Aunt Laverne’s adoption storyline, Chicago Fire could have portrayed a richer, more inclusive view of family. Representation matters because it helps normalize and encourage conversations around all these options — making people feel less alone and more hopeful.
What Can We Learn From This?
If a popular show can overlook such a chance, how can we as viewers and family builders reclaim these narratives for ourselves? The answer lies in:
- Seeking out resources and communities that honor diverse family-building methods.
- Advocating for honest, inclusive storytelling in media and personal circles.
- Exploring tools like MakeAMom’s home insemination kits, which empower people to take their family’s creation into their own hands.
Final Thoughts
I don’t blame Chicago Fire for trying to tell a hopeful pregnancy story — it’s just that sometimes, the stories we crave are about more than just pregnancy. They’re about the whole journey: the hopes, the detours, the choices, and the beautiful complexity of building a family in whatever way feels right.
So here’s my question to you: What family-building stories do you wish TV and media told more often? Adoption? At-home insemination? Surrogacy? Drop your thoughts in the comments — let’s start the conversation and celebrate every path to parenthood.
And if you’re considering starting or growing your family, don’t forget that there are affordable, respectful options out there, like MakeAMom’s range of insemination kits designed for different needs. Because every family deserves a chance to write their own beautiful story — in their own way.