Podcast Summary: The Unborn Hosted by iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: November 19, 2024

Introduction

The Unborn delves deep into the seemingly idyllic life of Jared and Kristy Akron, a couple admired by their small-town Pennsylvania community. Beneath their perfect exterior—a recent wedding, a new home, and the anticipation of twins—lies a web of deception, mental turmoil, and dark secrets. The podcast unravels Jared's journey as he uncovers unsettling truths about Kristy, leading to a chilling exploration of pseudocyesis (false pregnancy) and its profound impact on their lives.

Plot Overview

Jared and Kristy Akron epitomize the perfect couple. However, Jared begins to notice inconsistencies and cracks in their relationship and Kristy's behavior. Kristy's erratic actions, including secretive doctor visits and unexplained late-night activities, raise Jared's suspicions. As he investigates further, Jared discovers that Kristy's pregnancy may not be real, plunging him into a labyrinth of psychological and emotional turmoil.

Key Characters

• Jared Akron: The protagonist who starts questioning the facade of his perfect life. His determination to uncover the truth drives the narrative forward.

• Kristy Akron: Jared's wife whose strange behaviors hint at deeper psychological issues, including pseudocyesis.

• Carla Jenkins: A guest on the podcast who shares her personal experience with pseudocyesis, providing valuable insights into the condition.

• Dr. Richard Farnham: A board-certified OB-GYN and specialist in urogynecology, offering a clinical perspective on pseudocyesis and related disorders.

Understanding Pseudocyesis

The podcast dedicates significant time to exploring pseudocyesis, a rare psychosomatic disorder where an individual believes they are pregnant despite the absence of a fetus. Dr. Richard Farnham explains, “[pseudocyesis] is where someone believes they're pregnant and actually manifest the symptoms and signs of pregnancy” (08:17). This condition affects approximately four women in every 22,000 pregnancies and is often linked to underlying trauma or psychological distress.

Carla Jenkins' Story

Carla Jenkins shares her firsthand experience with pseudocyesis, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges she faced. “I was very upset with my body because of the fact that my brain understood that there was no fetus, but my body just kept going,” she recounts (12:58). Her story underscores the profound disconnect between mind and body in such conditions and emphasizes the importance of emotional support during diagnosis and treatment.

Jared’s Discovery and the Collapse of Reality

Jared’s suspicions lead him to confront the reality of Kristy’s supposed pregnancy. Initially believing Kristy's symptoms, Jared is devastated to learn that there were no children born or died, as Kristy had maintained. This revelation is encapsulated when Jared states, “there were no children to claim or to bury because his wife was never pregnant” (02:56).

As Jared delves deeper, assisted by his friend Molly, he uncovers that Kristy has been deceiving everyone around her. They attempt exhaustive methods to trace the source of fabricated sonogram images, but their efforts prove futile. “We did a reverse image search on those pictures and we could not find them,” Jared admits (30:34).

Psychological Depth and Potential Disorders

Dr. Farnham discusses the possible psychological underpinnings of Kristy’s behavior, suggesting severe borderline personality disorder as a plausible explanation. He elaborates, “she’s so split from the other part of her that she believes she’s pregnant and carrying these children” (18:20). This disjointed self contributes to Kristy's ability to maintain the illusion of pregnancy while orchestrating elaborate deceptions.

The Climax: A Sinister Revelation

The tension escalates when a grandmother reports that a woman, dressed in scrubs, removed babies from the nursery, leading to a police investigation. This shocking turn implicates Kristy in a potential crime of baby snatching, further complicating the narrative and blurring the lines between psychological distress and criminal intent.

Expert Insights

Dr. Farnham provides a comprehensive analysis of pseudocyesis and related psychological disorders. He emphasizes the need for a holistic approach in treatment, integrating mental health into primary care to address both physiological and psychological components (35:13). His insights shed light on the complexities of treating such rare conditions and the importance of understanding individual patient backgrounds.

Conclusion

The Unborn presents a gripping tale of love, deception, and psychological struggle. Jared’s relentless pursuit of the truth about Kristy’s pregnancy uncovers not only personal betrayals but also highlights the intricate relationship between mind and body in psychosomatic disorders. The podcast leaves listeners questioning the boundaries between reality and illusion, and the lengths to which individuals may go to protect their crafted lives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jared Akron: “There were no children to claim or to bury because my wife was never pregnant.” (02:56)

• Carla Jenkins: “It was just very shocking that my body, like, didn't clue in to the fact that there was no baby forming.” (12:58)

• Dr. Richard Farnham: “The mind is a very powerful thing, and we don’t usually focus enough on a holistic approach of integrating mental health into primary care.” (07:52)

• Jared Akron: “It was like, where does that go? How can you pass off those pictures as your own?” (31:07)

• Dr. Richard Farnham: “Some people that don’t have as much insight... would be a much more difficult patient to treat.” (13:54)

• Jared Akron: “Police swarmed the hospital when this was reported. It is a full-blown psych disorder.” (43:57)

Timestamps Reference

For ease of navigation, here are the key timestamps referenced in the summary:

• 02:56 – Jared discovers no children were born.
• 07:52 – Dr. Farnham discusses the power of the mind in pseudocyesis.
• 08:17 – Definition and explanation of pseudocyesis.
• 12:58 – Carla reflects on her body not recognizing the loss.
• 13:54 – Dr. Farnham on patient insight and treatment challenges.
• 18:20 – Dr. Farnham suggests borderline personality disorder aspects in Kristy.
• 30:34 – Jared and Molly’s failed attempts to trace sonogram images.
• 31:07 – Jared expresses frustration over fabricated pictures.
• 35:13 – Dr. Farnham on integrating mental health in treatment.
• 43:57 – Jared reveals the police investigation into Kristy’s actions.

The Unborn masterfully intertwines personal narratives with expert insights, offering a comprehensive look into the complexities of pseudocyesis and its repercussions on relationships and mental health. Through Jared and Kristy’s story, listeners are invited to explore the fragile boundaries between truth and illusion, and the devastating impact of psychological disorders when left unaddressed.