Meet Ari and Myles — and Learn All About Pregnancy as a Transgender Man
Updated July 23 2020, 1:29 p.m. ET
Those who regularly tune in to TLC's programming know the network is a gold mine when it comes to families who are just a bit different than most. One of the newest series is aptly titled Extraordinary People — and each episode features people who live with unique and fascinating sets of circumstances.
In July, an installment called My Pregnant Husband followed the stories of Ari and Myles, two transgender men who are pregnant. Let's take a closer look at their journeys.
Rick Holzman, TLC's senior VP of programming and strategy, said the network is "proud to be the platform to share their stories, their struggles and their strength," according to People.
"TLC honors people from all walks of life in our programming," he said. "These specials tell the unique and remarkable stories of people who face overwhelming challenges every day of their lives. And, while their conditions are extremely rare, those at the center of each story yearn for love, understanding, and a sense of belonging."
Myles is pregnant and identifies as trans-masculine.
"I always wanted to be a father. But I never thought I would be the one that actually carried the child," a six-months-pregnant Myles says in a first-look clip shared by TLC. "I identify as trans-masculine. I'm masculine all the way down to my core. I just happen to have the equipment to birth a child."
In the clip, viewers learn that, as a Black, trans man, Myles faces different challenges than most people would during pregnancy.
"Today is one of the worst days of my life. I got arrested because they thought my baby bump was clothes that I had hid," a distraught Myles says to the camera.
In another scene, Myles and his wife, Precious — who is a trans woman — learn there are potential complications with the pregnancy. A doctor tells Myles, "Your cervix, the bottom part of your uterus, has gotten somewhat thin ... you could lose the pregnancy."
"I'm extremely nervous. This was our last egg. This could be it," Myles explains, after hearing the news.
Meanwhile, his wife points out, "My husband is carrying my child. And if I crumble, we are not going to make it through this."
Ari is a transgender man who is eight months pregnant.
In the teaser clip, we're also introduced to Ari and his wife, Caitlin, a cisgender woman who identifies as queer. "I was assigned female at birth, but I am transgender," an eight-months-pregnant Ari tells the camera.
"Ari has been really close and connected with the baby," Caitlin says in the teaser. "It's hard not to feel jealous."
Another preview of the episode shows Ari and Caitlin informing their neighbors — whom they've known for about a year — that Ari is not only transgender, but pregnant and due very soon.
"It's time to tell our neighbors that I'm pregnant," Ari says. "They do not know that I am trans, either. They just think I'm a guy."
"It's a little bit out of the ordinary," his wife says, before dropping a ton of information to their unsuspecting neighbors. (Thankfully, though, it seems they are incredibly supportive and non-judgmental.)
One potential medical hurdle in Ari's pregnancy is that he ends up going 10 days past his due date — and he's concerned he'll need emergency surgery in order to deliver the baby.
Be sure to tune in to the two-hour-long episode of Extraordinary People to see how Ari and Myles' trans pregnancy stories play out. My Pregnant Husband premieres at 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 on TLC.
