One Chicago is no stranger parenthood. We've watched dozens of characters become parents over the course of the franchise's tenure, whether it be on Chicago PD or Chicago Med. Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) is on the cusp of making a huge life decision on Med, and if she pursue the path that she's currently considering, it would upend a franchise trend that's lasted for years.
Asher approached her sister, Lizzie (Erin Anderson) and offered to serve as the surrogate for her child, since the latter has struggled to conceive. Lizzie was touched by the offer, but voiced concern about Asher putting her own desires to have a child on hold to help. A conclusion was not reached by the end of the episode "The Stories We Tell Ourselves," but the notion of Asher getting pregnant is quietly radical within the One Chicago framework.
One Chicago generally relies on adoption storylines
In the past, we've seen Chicago PD's Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Chicago Fire's Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) become mothers. Fire's Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) is poised to become a mother by the end of season 13 (with an assist from Asher, fittingly). All three of these characters resorted to adoption, however.
Burgess, Brett and Kidd are all active characters within their professions, so it makes sense that they would opt for adoption instead of a nine month pregnancy. Kidd literally voiced this concern when her and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) decided that adoption was the path for them. It also means, in the practical sense, that actresses who are not pregnant do not have to pretend to be pregnant for an entire season.
Dr. Asher getting pregnant would alter the show
Adoption has become a storytelling shortcut for One Chicago writers, and we understand why. The idea of Asher becoming a surrogate for her sister is fascinating, from both a story perspective and a practical one. Not only would it bring about more screen time with Lizzie, but it would place a doctor who is very active on a regular basis, and subjected to wildly stressful situations, in a situation where she'd have to step back and take on additional challenges.
One Chicago has never scripted a character with a pregnancy and followed the character through to giving birth. It would break new ground within the franchise, and fundamentally change Asher as we know her. Especially given Lizzie's comment about the doctor wanting to have children of her own. There's still a few episodes before the Chicago Med season 10 finale, so Dr. Asher may change her mind, but we have to admit we are intrigued by the possibilities that have been presented.