Pregnancy In The Walking Dead

With the discovery of a pregnancy comes a wide range of possible emotions that can be experience for those that are expecting a newborn. Under certain circumstances, such as proper financial means and emotional and mental readiness, a child is cause for celebration and happiness. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and in the case of the alternate reality of The Walking Dead, Lori’s pregnancy proves to have come at a time less than convenient, prompting the controversial question of how to react in regards to the news. In a broken down society where the surviving population fears for their lives and struggles to support themselves, the added burden of a newborn can cause an added strain that could potentially lead to the question of

In this case, there is no prenatal care or vitamins to assist during or post pregnancy, drastically lowering the chances that the child will be delivered healthy and thriving. The only medically trained individual available within the camp is a veterinarian, while this is more helpful than a complete lack of any professional care; the anatomy of an animal obviously differs from that of a human. A veterinarian cannot provide a sufficient level of care to a human that it could an animal. Such pregnancy circumstances resemble those of expectant mothers within impoverished communities. With the lack of health care available to all, women of lesser means are less likely to seek aid, again more likely to choose to terminate their pregnancies rather than have to deal with the fees that come with seeing the pregnancy through. Oover 30% of women were poor (income ≤100% of federal poverty level [FPL]) and 20% near-poor (101–200% FPL); and around 60% of low-income (poor or near-poor) women experienced at least one hardship” (Braveman). There is no guarantee that the baby will be healthy at any time during any of the three trimesters and no guarantee that Lori and baby will survive. The threat of death comes with the threat of the two becoming “walkers” and while an infant “walker” could prove to not be as much of a threat, Lori as an undead being could become troublesome.

The graphic novel subtly reveals that the fetus may not be of Lori’s baby might not even be Rick’s patronage. The risks associated with infidelity include dissatisfaction within the marriage that will lead to arguments between Rick and Lori, another cause of potential problems plaguing the group (Giesen and Treas). Based on the timing of it all, as depicted within the second volume of the series, Shane may prove to be the father of Lori’s baby. The whole notion of not knowing with full faith who the father is can cause a great deal of resentment and mistrust among the group in their trust of Rick and his ability to lead them if he cannot keep track of his own familial affairs. With rumors already prevalent, the news would spread quickly throughout, causing more internal conflict amongst them. This drama can split the group into opposing sides and create separation and division within them. This is not ideal for a group of people that should only have survival on their mind. This potential situation would also cause doubts to Rick’s ability to lead, in addition of the other doubts that others already hold of him in varying circumstances. Rick’s mental would continue to deny any possibility that the child is not his, despite obvious points that suggest otherwise, making him be represented as naïve and aloof, qualities that do not warrant a good leader. With the