Afterbirth (American Horror Story)

"**Afterbirth**"
"Afterbirth"
American Horror Story episode
Episode no.	Season 1; Episode 12
Directed by	Bradley Buecker
Written by	Jessica Sharzer
Featured music	"El Infiél" by Marvelous Toy; "The Little Drummer Boy" by The Harry Simeone Chorale; "Tonight You Belong to Me" by Patience and Prudence; "Twisted Nerve" by Bernard Herrmann;
Production code	1ATS11
Original air date	December 21, 2011
Running time	52 minutes
Guest appearances
	Kate Mara as Hayden McClaine; Charles S. Dutton as Detective Granger; Frances Conroy as Moira O'Hara; Alexandra Breckenridge as Young Moira; Lily Rabe as Nora Montgomery; Christine Estabrook as Marcy; Michael Graziadei as Travis Wanderley; Anthony Ruivivar as Miguel Ramos; Lisa Vidal as Stacy Ramos; Malaya Rivera Drew as Detective Barrios; David Anthony Higgins as Stan; Brennan Mejia as Gabriel Ramos; Rebecca Wisocky as Lorraine Harvey; Kyle Davis as Dallas; Azura Skye as Fiona; Jamie Brewer as Adelaide Langdon; Meredith Scott Lynn as Helen; Mena Suvari as Elizabeth Short;
Episode chronology
← Previous; "Birth"	Next →; "Welcome to Briarcliff"
	American Horror Story: Murder House
	List of episodes

"Afterbirth" is the twelfth and final episode of the first season of the television series American Horror Story and the season finale, which premiered on FX on December 21, 2011. The episode was written by Jessica Sharzer and directed by Bradley Buecker. Due to a very aggressive production schedule it was previously announced that the show's first season would be cut short.

In the aftermath of a family tragedy, Ben (Dylan McDermott) tries to take his child out of the Murder House. Meanwhile, Violet (Taissa Farmiga) and Vivien (Connie Britton) accustom themselves to their new living arrangements, Constance (Jessica Lange) raises Tate's child as her own and a new family buys the house. Kate Mara and Charles S. Dutton guest star as Hayden McClaine and Detective Granger, respectively.

The episode was well received by the majority of television critics and viewership and ratings for the episode reached a season high with 3.22 million. It garnered a 1.7 rating in the 18–49 demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research. This episode is rated TV-MA (LSV).