Brianna Fraser is one of the key characters in the Outlander book and TV series. As the daughter of main characters Claire and Jamie Fraser, her storylines are pivotal to the overarching plot. One of the most significant events for Brianna is her pregnancy and the birth of her son Jemmy. So does Brianna get pregnant in Outlander? The answer is yes, both in the books and in the TV show adaptation.
Brianna’s pregnancy in the Outlander books
In the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon, Brianna first appears as an adult in the third book in the series, Voyager. At this point she becomes acquainted with her biological father Jamie Fraser for the first time, having been raised by her mother Claire and adoptive father Frank Randall.
Later in the books, Brianna travels back in time from the 20th century to 18th century Scotland to find her parents Claire and Jamie. She ends up staying in the past and marries Roger MacKenzie. In the fourth Outlander book, Drums of Autumn, Brianna becomes pregnant with Roger’s child.
Her pregnancy is difficult and problematic. Early on, Brianna is raped by Stephen Bonnet. It is unclear if the baby she is carrying was fathered by Roger or Stephen. This question of paternity haunts Brianna and Roger’s relationship during the pregnancy.
Brianna also suffers through a terrifying ordeal where she is arrested and sentenced to death by burning, threatened with being forced to give up the baby once it’s born. Claire, Jamie and Roger have to race to save her and the unborn child.
Eventually Brianna gives birth to a son she names Jeremiah, allowing Roger to choose the baby’s first name. The question of whether Jeremiah is Roger’s or Stephen’s son continues to linger until it is resolved later in the series.
Key details of Brianna’s pregnancy in the books:
- Brianna becomes pregnant in Drums of Autumn, the 4th book in the series.
- The father is unclear due to her rape by Stephen Bonnet.
- Her pregnancy and birth are very difficult and puts her in grave danger.
- She gives birth to a son she names Jeremiah.
So in the Outlander novels, Brianna definitively does become pregnant and gives birth to a baby boy who plays a major role going forward. Her pregnancy is a crucial storyline that affects many characters and events.
Brianna’s pregnancy in the Outlander TV show
The Starz TV adaptation of Outlander has also prominently featured Brianna’s pregnancy and the birth of her son. As in the books, her pregnancy causes tension and uncertainty given the ambiguity about the baby’s paternity.
In season 4 of the show, Brianna travels back through the stones from 20th century Scotland to the 18th century to reunite with her parents. She ends up staying in the past and marrying Roger Mackenzie.
In episode 7 of season 4, Brianna is brutally raped by Stephen Bonnet. She does not immediately tell anyone about the assault. Two months later in episode 9, Brianna discovers she is pregnant and reveals to Claire that she was raped, meaning the baby may not be Roger’s.
As Brianna’s pregnancy progresses, she experiences serious medical complications. Claire is forced to perform surgery on Brianna to prevent her from losing the baby. Meanwhile, Roger grapples with raising a child that may not be biologically his.
In the season 5 episode 7, Brianna goes into a difficult, excruciating labor. With Claire’s medical help, Brianna gives birth to a baby boy. In a moment of joy after the birth, Roger declares the baby is his son and chooses the name Jeremiah, just as in the books.
Key details of Brianna’s pregnancy in the TV show:
- Brianna is raped by Stephen Bonnet in season 4, leading to pregnancy.
- Paternity between Bonnet and Roger is unclear.
- Brianna has a painful, dangerous labor in season 5.
- She gives birth to a son, Jeremiah, delivered by Claire.
The show has closely followed the major story beats from the books when it comes to Brianna’s eventful and tumultuous pregnancy and the birth of baby Jemmy. The uncertainty surrounding the baby’s father adds extra drama and tension to the storyline.
Why Brianna’s pregnancy is significant
Beyond advancing the plot, Brianna’s pregnancy is thematically important for her character arc and for the series overall in a few key ways:
- It continues the Fraser family lineage into the next generation.
- It binds Brianna to her new life and husband Roger in the 18th century.
- It further develops Brianna’s strength and resilience in the face of trauma.
- It adds moral complexity with questions about the baby’s paternity.
Brianna’s experiences with pregnancy and motherhood are central to her story as she transitions from Claire and Jamie’s modern daughter to a mother raising a child in the past. Her struggles connect her more deeply to some of what Claire endured over the course of the series. Brianna claiming her son and choosing to raise him with Roger despite not knowing if he is the biological father demonstrates Brianna’s fortitude and compassion.
How Brianna’s pregnancy affects other characters
As an important subplot, Brianna’s pregnancy has ripple effects on several main characters beyond just herself:
Jamie Fraser
As Brianna’s biological father, Jamie is protective of her and angry when he learns about Stephen Bonnet’s attack. He is patient and supportive as Brianna deals with her traumatic pregnancy. He is overjoyed at the birth of his grandson and committed to helping raise him.
Roger MacKenzie
Roger struggles with questions about the baby’s paternity and whether he can raise another man’s child. But his love for Brianna overcomes this, and he ultimately acknowledges the baby as his own. He plays an active role in parenting and chooses the name Jeremiah.
Claire Fraser
As Brianna’s mother, Claire uses her medical skills to care for Brianna throughout the pregnancy and dangerous delivery. She provides guidance and advice as Brianna navigates her trauma. Claire is delighted to become a grandmother.
Stephen Bonnet
Despite raping Brianna, the amoral Stephen Bonnet tries to claim parental rights over Brianna’s baby given the uncertainty about paternity. This threat lingers over the Frasers.
So while centrally impacting Brianna, her pregnancy also influences the storylines for multiple main Outlander characters in meaningful ways.
Conclusion
In both Diana Gabaldon’s book series and the TV adaptation, Brianna Fraser definitively does get pregnant during her time in the 18th century. Her difficult pregnancy, labor, and delivery along with the questions around the baby’s biological father provide ample drama and character development. Brianna’s son Jeremiah or “Jemmy” adds a new generation to the Fraser clan and becomes an important character in his own right later in the series. Brianna’s experiences with motherhood also cement her life path in the past with Roger. So without a doubt, Brianna’s pregnancy is a pivotal event in the overall Outlander saga both on page and screen.