TLC's UNEXPECTED Returns Sunday, Dec. 20

TLC's UNEXPECTED returns with an eye-opening look at teenage pregnancy and parenthood on Sunday, December 20 at 10pm ET/PT. The new episodes explore the life-altering journeys that teens and their families embark upon as they prepare for a baby, from the struggle to raise multiple generations under one roof to the inevitable tensions that arise when family members disagree on parenting decisions. Viewers can meet the young expectant moms and their families before UNEXPECTED premieres in the digital mid-form series BABY BUMPS, which premieres on TLC Go on December 13.

Returning this season are Tyra (17) and Alex (18), who are balancing baby duties, college classes and a long-distance relationship, and season one mom Lily (19) who is pregnant with her second child, but her first with boyfriend Lawrence (19). Fans will also be introduced to three new couples: Jenna (16) & Aden (17), Myrka (15) & Ethan (16), and Reanna (15) & Taron (16).

In the season premiere, Myrka is trying to fix her relationship with her mother who kicked her out of the house upon learning about the pregnancy, forcing Myrka to move in with Ethan and his family. Reanna recently decided to move over an hour away from Taron following their breakup so she could live with her mom. The former couple is no longer on speaking terms, and Reanna's mother is adamant that they need to restore civility for the sake of their child whose arrival is coming soon. Jenna's pregnancy led her to drop out of her strict Catholic high school and enroll in an online school. She and Aden met in sixth grade and now await the birth of their baby, supported by Jenna's dad, who finds it hard to say "no" to Jenna whenever she asks for something, including a car for her birthday. Tyra has recently enrolled in college, and if she graduates, she'll be the first of five generations of teen moms in her family to do so. With the school located several hours away from Alex and their daughter, it's causing a strain on their relationship. Later in the season, viewers will be reintroduced to Lily, who is pregnant with her second child, and meet her boyfriend Lawrence, who is hoping to take their relationship to the next level.

For the fourth consecutive season, TLC is partnering with Power to Decide, the campaign to prevent unplanned pregnancy, to help viewers use UNEXPECTED as a way to spark meaningful conversations about unplanned pregnancy. There have been historic declines in teen pregnancy and meaningful declines in unplanned pregnancy over the past two decades, according to Power to Decide. However, progress doesn't mean victory: large disparities still exist for youth of color, and for those living in poverty and rural areas. In fact, nearly one in four girls will get pregnant by age 20, and children of teen moms are more likely to become teen parents themselves. Based on themes that come up in the show, Power to Decide is creating custom discussion-starters, information, and tips for young people and their parents, mentors and allies to jump-start open conversations and ensure that all young people have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. These resources will help viewers get informed and think about how they might handle similar situations in their own lives. The resources will be available for viewers at www.PowerToDecide.org and will be shared by TLC.

UNEXPECTED will premiere immediately after brand-new episodes of 90 DAY FIANCÉ, which along with its spinoffs has helped TLC rank as the #1 Primetime Ad-Supported Cable Network with W25-54/18-49/18-34 in 2020 to date.

Follow TLC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest on all things UNEXPECTED. Join the conversation using #Unexpected and catch up on the UNEXPECTED on TLC.com or by downloading the TLC GO app.

UNEXPECTED is produced by Eastern TV for TLC.

To post a comment, you must register and login.