Louis Theroux heads to California, the US adoption capital, where most newborn adoptions are carried out privately, creating a multimillion dollar industry. Louis spends time with birth mothers preparing to hand over their own flesh and blood, uncovering stories of poverty, addiction and abuse that can push these women into making such a heartbreaking decision. He also meets adoptive families, paying out huge amounts in the hope of being able to raise a child they can’t have by natural means.