She went to the experts!
When they first found out they were pregnant, all of the members of the Teen Mom cast were faced with an extremely difficult decision. Like most teenagers who are faced with unexpected pregnancies, they were no doubt asked the same question repeatedly by friends and family: “Are you going to keep the baby?”
Although the majority of the Teen Mom cast members decided to keep custody of their children, that’s not the reality for every single girl who becomes pregnant while she’s still in high school. Many who find themselves in this situation find alternatives, opting for abortion or adoption.
Until this season, Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra were the only ones who went down the road of giving their baby up. After deliberation, they decided to choose adoption for their first biological child, Carly. Although they still have contact with Carly sometimes, she is in the care of another family.
Now, Catelynn and Tyler are no longer the only ones to consider adoption. Briana DeJesus had adoption on her mind throughout her entire pregnancy. So, who better to discuss it with than those who have experienced it firsthand?
Briana took all of her questions straight to the source when she went to Catelynn and Tyler for advice, and the rest is history.
Credit: MTV
Know Your Options
Credit: MTV
No matter how much they can fight, all of the Teen Mom cast members have something very significant in common… They all became mothers while they were still in high school. This common trait can sometimes play a role in some pretty unlikely friendships.
Briana DeJesus was added to the Teen Mom 2 cast after finding herself with her second unexpected pregnancy. Throughout the season, she discussed all of her options with her baby daddy Luis, including adoption. Although Luis was firmly against the idea, Briana wasn’t sure she would be able to provide for her second child.
In an effort to find out what it’s like to choose adoption, Briana went to familiar face Catelynn Lowell. Catelynn and her husband Tyler chose adoption for their first daughter, Carly, and have their own unique experiences as a result of it.
“I just wanted to talk about the situation that you guys went through with adoption. I’m looking to go down that route, but I don’t know,” Briana confided in Catelynn and Tyler during the “Unseen Moments” episode of Teen Mom 2‘s season 8.
“It was hard for us, too,” Catelynn said. “But we did it because it’s only going to educate people. Only 1% of girls even… use adoption; you know, it’s nobody. So the more educated people are about it, the more they know about it, the better it is.” She added, “You should know all of your options!”
Difficult Choices
Source: Instagram @_brianadejesus
Catelynn and Tyler invited Briana into the house for a private chat, so Briana stayed until after the set. “Good luck with everything,” Catelynn said, adding, “Take care of yourself. Stand up for yourself.”
After leaving, Briana told her executive producer that the talk went well. “It was actually really good,” she revealed. However, she said that Luis’s reluctance to consider adoption was making the decision difficult. “I feel like I’m stopping myself because Luis is already hesitant. So maybe i should say f–k Luis and go down this path as far as i can go.” In tears, she added, “I feel like if i can’t give this baby everything why am i going to keep her?”
Briana rewatched this moment several months later during the reunion filming. Since she had decided to keep Stella, it was emotional for her to reexperience the thought of choosing adoption. Briana said Catelynn and Tyler were “beautiful people” before breaking down in tears.
“It was a tough decision,” she said, “But I’m glad she’s here with me.” She revealed that what ultimately made her decision was her love for and connection with Stella. “It’s my baby! I tell myself ‘No matter what will happen, she’s going to have me, and I’ll do whatever i can for her even if I’m by myself.”
As for the best advice she got from Catelynn and Tyler? She revealed that what mattered was when they told her, “You do what’s best for you. Stay strong, and you’ll be okay.”
Briana also revealed that this strengthened her relationship with Catelynn and Tyler, saying that Catelynn has checked in on her since they met. “Catelynn always keeps in touch with me,” she said.
Hopefully, Briana is reaching out to Catelynn during her own time of mental health problems so their friendship will continue to grow. Sadly, the same can’t be said for Briana’s continuing feud with her co-star Kailyn Lowry!
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