Our take
A Child of My Own is a Netflix documentary about a Mexican woman who faked a pregnancy after miscarriages and kidnapped a newborn from the hospital where she worked. The first hour uses dramatizations; later sections interview the real people involved. Distressing themes include infertility shame, crime, and imprisonment
Uplifting themes
The film invites reflection on invisible pressures to become a parent Victim and legal voices offer perspective, but the subject's choices caused deep harm
AMU ages are independent editorial opinions. They are not legal classifications and are not issued by the Classification Board, the MPAA, or any other official classification body. Official labels on this site, such as PG or R, come from those bodies or our data sources, not from AMU. AMU guides are not a substitute for official classification. Cuts and details can differ by version. Use them as one input only. You decide what is right for your family.
Story (may spoil tone)
Desperate for a baby and burdened by family and societal expectations, a woman fakes a pregnancy and gets tangled in a crime.
Details
Violence The kidnapping arrest and media scandal are depicted without graphic as…
The kidnapping arrest and media scandal are depicted without graphic assault focus
Language Interviews and re-enactments include emotional confrontations that may…
Interviews and re-enactments include emotional confrontations that may use strong language
Sex / nudity No sex found in this title
No sex found in this title
Drugs / alcohol No drugs found in this title
No drugs found in this title
Frightening The abduction storyline and prison aftermath are disturbing for sensiti…
The abduction storyline and prison aftermath are disturbing for sensitive viewers
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Child peril / abuse A newborn is taken from a hospital, centering infant peril and a real k…
A newborn is taken from a hospital, centering infant peril and a real kidnapping case
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons No gore found in this title
No gore found in this title
Dangerous behaviour No dangerous behavior found in this title
No dangerous behavior found in this title
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health Miscarriage grief, shame, and deception under family pressure dominate…
Miscarriage grief, shame, and deception under family pressure dominate the narrative
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Multiple pregnancy losses and separation from the stolen baby drive las…
Multiple pregnancy losses and separation from the stolen baby drive lasting trauma
Talk after watching
- Why can family pressure about having children cause harm?
- Documentaries mix re-enactments and interviews. How do you weigh different accounts?
- What support should people receive after pregnancy loss?