Baby #19 for the Duggars born!

[ProgressCity]

I worry about what's going to happen to Michelle when she can no longer have children. Her entire adult life has been spent either pregnant or nursing, what's going to happen when she no longer has that? It seems like her entire sense of self and identity is wrapped up in her ability to have children. I would imagine she's going to have some type of mental breakdown when she finally goes through menopause.

 

[MrsPete]

Has she the opportunity to run with a local ambulance company as a medic. She could end up with a huge amount of options and better hours and pay.
EMT, paramedic, even flight nurse.

I feel sure that she'll stick with something medical, but I don't know in what direction she'll take it. She is currently taking the prepare-you-for-a-medical-career classes in high school and will earn a CNA before she finishes her high school diploma (that's certainly not my ultimate goal for her, but it sure is a better start than working at McDonalds!). Through her classes she's learned about a number of medical-jobs, and SHE is the one who came back from school one day saying, "Did you know there's this job called midwife?" I wouldn't have thought to suggest it to her, but it is perfect for her abilities and skill set. When she's a senior she'll spend 1/2 her school day at the nearby hospital. I expect at that point she'll really get an idea of what she wants.

I think family dynamics have changed a lot and nowadays it is widely accepted that the father will not only help financially.

Absolutely, but no man can promise that he'll live 'til the children are grown, or that he will be healthy all his life, and these days no man can promise that he'll not be laid-off. I'm raising my daughters to be able to support a family on their own. Once they CAN do that, it's up to them what they decide to do. I'm neither encouraging nor discouraging them from working; at this point I'm preparing them to have CHOICES as adults.

What I don't want is for them to get married young, have a houseful of kids, and THEN fall into a crisis (financial, medical, whatever) and have no way to help themselves.

It is great that she wants to be a nurse midwife and that you encourage your daughters to get degrees. May I ask, would you oppose her being a doctor? Doctors have hectic schedules and some might say and that may not mesh well with family life. So do lawyers, journalists, advertisers and so many other professions! That doesn't prevent anyone from having a family.

Honestly, I'm not encouraging her to go the doctor route. I'm not convinced that it's all that great a deal anymore. If she chooses that route, she'll be in school for years and years, come out with massive debt, then -- depending upon her particular field -- may find herself handicapped salary-wise by the insurance companies. Add to that the malpractice insurance and the hours . . . no, I'm not pushing her in that direction. If she decides on it herself, fine. I'll have her investigate the reality of the job before she puts her time and effort into training. I know my kid. She'll be an excellent worker, but work won't be her life.

I am convinced that the best "bang for the buck" in a medical field is an RN with a specialty. A friend of ours who's an RN with a master's degree works with heart patients -- something to do with angioplasty (I'm sure I spelled that wrong), and she encouraged my daughter to go into something along those lines. She told us confidentially that she makes MUCH more money than her husband . . . who is my husband's boss, and they're in a fairly prestigious field with a decent paycheck. Since my daughter started high school (and especially since she started taking the above-mentioned medical-career prep classes), we've investigated a number of jobs (and colleges) together, and she's forming an idea of what she wants to do.

 

[mjkacmom]

Multiples just run in some families. My sister's best friend in HS came from such a family. There were 11 children, and 9 of them were multiples: one set of triplets and three sets of twins. They were all born in the early to mid 1950's.

When I was in college I used to do phone surveys for a living (evil, I know, but I had to eat, and this company paid very well.) We used to ask demographic questions at the end of the survey, and it was very common for older ladies to reel off birthdays to answer the question of "how many children do you have?" You would be amazed at how many of them mentioned recurring multiples.

They do run in families, and the older you are, and the more children you have, the more likely you are to have twins. Having twins myself, I know at least 3 women who have 2 sets of twins, and one of them lost a twin, so she would've had 3 sets. I'm actually surprised she doesn't have more multiples than she does!

 

[disney1990]

Problem is she thinks she's building an army
(Where is the shivering with a creepy feeling smilie????)

This guy?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Exactly and i do think the Duggars do things (like track her ovulation cycle) to help "God" along in the baby department...

In listening to their interviews, I don't think they do. That would fall in line with NFP/FAM and they don't even do that if they were following the Quiverfull Movement as they have proclaimed. It means they track nothing and simply allow...nature...to take its course.

 

[wendy46001]

In listening to their interviews, I don't think they do. That would fall in line with NFP/FAM and they don't even do that if they were following the Quiverfull Movement as they have proclaimed. It means they track nothing and simply allow...nature...to take its course.

They've shown the calendar up on the wall with Michelle's cycle circled Odd yes, but its there...also they always announce the exact date they concieved those two combined does not sound like nature to me

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

I feel sure that she'll stick with something medical, but I don't know in what direction she'll take it. She is currently taking the prepare-you-for-a-medical-career classes in high school and will earn a CNA before she finishes her high school diploma (that's certainly not my ultimate goal for her, but it sure is a better start than working at McDonalds!). Through her classes she's learned about a number of medical-jobs, and SHE is the one who came back from school one day saying, "Did you know there's this job called midwife?" I wouldn't have thought to suggest it to her, but it is perfect for her abilities and skill set. When she's a senior she'll spend 1/2 her school day at the nearby hospital. I expect at that point she'll really get an idea of what she wants.Absolutely, but no man can promise that he'll live 'til the children are grown, or that he will be healthy all his life, and these days no man can promise that he'll not be laid-off. I'm raising my daughters to be able to support a family on their own. Once they CAN do that, it's up to them what they decide to do. I'm neither encouraging nor discouraging them from working; at this point I'm preparing them to have CHOICES as adults.

What I don't want is for them to get married young, have a houseful of kids, and THEN fall into a crisis (financial, medical, whatever) and have no way to help themselves.Honestly, I'm not encouraging her to go the doctor route. I'm not convinced that it's all that great a deal anymore. If she chooses that route, she'll be in school for years and years, come out with massive debt, then -- depending upon her particular field -- may find herself handicapped salary-wise by the insurance companies. Add to that the malpractice insurance and the hours . . . no, I'm not pushing her in that direction. If she decides on it herself, fine. I'll have her investigate the reality of the job before she puts her time and effort into training. I know my kid. She'll be an excellent worker, but work won't be her life.

I am convinced that the best "bang for the buck" in a medical field is an RN with a specialty. A friend of ours who's an RN with a master's degree works with heart patients -- something to do with angioplasty (I'm sure I spelled that wrong), and she encouraged my daughter to go into something along those lines. She told us confidentially that she makes MUCH more money than her husband . . . who is my husband's boss, and they're in a fairly prestigious field with a decent paycheck. Since my daughter started high school (and especially since she started taking the above-mentioned medical-career prep classes), we've investigated a number of jobs (and colleges) together, and she's forming an idea of what she wants to do.

I never said about work being one's life, that is not very healthy. I think we are more or less saying the same things!

That is great for your daughter, she seems to have a good head on her shoulders. I hope she fulfills all of her dreams and helps many through her profession in the future. It truly is a service.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

The fact there are no updates on their site, nor statements from the family, is rather concerning in regards to Michelle and Josie. They are usually very quick and open to share things. I hope to hear some positive news soon.

http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/12/14/duggar-baby-update-19-and-counting-mom-still-hospitalized/

 

[luvmy3]

The fact there are no updates on their site, nor statements from the family, is rather concerning in regards to Michelle and Josie. They are usually very quick and open to share things. I hope to hear some positive news soon.

http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/12/14/duggar-baby-update-19-and-counting-mom-still-hospitalized/

It could just be that they are all just focusing on Michelle and Josie and not concerned with informing the public of what is going on.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

It could just be that they are all just focusing on Michelle and Josie and not concerned with informing the public of what is going on.

I would think TLC would/could make a statement for them.

 

[Kimberle]

The fact there are no updates on their site, nor statements from the family, is rather concerning in regards to Michelle and Josie. They are usually very quick and open to share things. I hope to hear some positive news soon.

http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/12/14/duggar-baby-update-19-and-counting-mom-still-hospitalized/

There probably isn't much else to tell at this point. Michelle is still in the hospital. Since she had the baby on the 10th, she should be released soon, if everything is ok for her. She probably was on a Mag Sulfide drip to bring her BP down.

Josie is going to be in NICU for a few months. Generally, they come home around their due date. She is going to have good days and bad days. It TRUELY is a rollercoaster. Right now, they need to focus on her breathing. I'd guess she's on a vent. She's probably in a tray, not an incubator, naked except for a diaper. A warming light will be above keeping her body at the right tempature. Her eyes will be covered. She will have little "boards" bound to her arms and or legs to give support for the IV(s) which are needed to give her nutrition and allow quick access for medicines. Her heart will need to be monitered closely to make sure the valve closes (the one that normally closes at birth for a full-termer.) Michelle and Jim Bob can sit with her and hold her hands. Josie will "know" they are her parents. You can see it on the moniters (her stats). It will be a while before she is strong enough to be held. (And then she will have all her "wires").

 

[phragmipedium]

I'm praying that everything goes well for the baby and Michelle. I am about as far from fundamental as it gets, quite liberal, and I don't agree with many of their choices. But watching the show, I feel they are genuinely nice people. While I may not agree with how many kids they have or their parenting style, the children seem well-behaved, kind and happy. They could be in a much worse situation than buddying up to help raise their siblings - I don't think it's ideal, but I see so much worse at my work that it's good to see the children thriving. I don't think all of the children will have as many kids as their parents; they will become adults and make choices about whether or not to follow in their parent's footsteps. And I don't think the parents would shun them or anything if they chose to live differently; I get the impression JB & M would pray for them but still love and support them.

I do think Michelle and JimBob will pray about what to do with procreating now. I did get the impression before that they did nothing - not even rhythm - to prevent pregnancy before. I wouldn't expect that they'd use chemical or even physical birth control, but they may decide to use some natural family planning if they decide that this complication was a sign from God to stop actively getting pregnant. Or they may not if they pray about it and decide they shouldn't. Who knows? But I'm sure this will be something they think and pray about...especially since often, she's pregnant again six months after the first child is born and it's likely that they will still be very involved with the care of this newest child six months from now even if there are no serious health repercussions.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

There probably isn't much else to tell at this point. Michelle is still in the hospital. Since she had the baby on the 10th, she should be released soon, if everything is ok for her. She probably was on a Mag Sulfide drip to bring her BP down.

Josie is going to be in NICU for a few months. Generally, they come home around their due date. She is going to have good days and bad days. It TRUELY is a rollercoaster. Right now, they need to focus on her breathing. I'd guess she's on a vent. She's probably in a tray, not an incubator, naked except for a diaper. A warming light will be above keeping her body at the right tempature. Her eyes will be covered. She will have little "boards" bound to her arms and or legs to give support for the IV(s) which are needed to give her nutrition and allow quick access for medicines. Her heart will need to be monitered closely to make sure the valve closes (the one that normally closes at birth for a full-termer.) Michelle and Jim Bob can sit with her and hold her hands. Josie will "know" they are her parents. You can see it on the moniters (her stats). It will be a while before she is strong enough to be held. (And then she will have all her "wires").

Ugh, that all sounds so heartbreaking. That poor little baby. She's got a long couple of months ahead of her but from what I've read, there are lots of people praying for her to pull through. I hope she does.

 

[Aisling]

Ugh, that all sounds so heartbreaking. That poor little baby. She's got a long couple of months ahead of her but from what I've read, there are lots of people praying for her to pull through. I hope she does.

Michelle and Jim Bob interpreted their miscarriage as a sign of God's displeasure with them using birth control. Maybe they'll interpret this premmie as a sign that God's not happy with raising their children on tv, or some other "sin". Just a thought.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Michelle and Jim Bob interpreted their miscarriage as a sign of God's displeasure with them using birth control. Maybe they'll interpret this premmie as a sign that God's not happy with raising their children on tv, or some other "sin". Just a thought.

Where did you read that? Their website states that:

Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar married July 21st, 1984. At that time, they chose to use the birth control pill. They thought, “We don’t want children right now. We can’t afford them. We want children in our timing, when we’re ready.” Four years later they decided to have their first child. Then, Michelle went back on the pill, but she conceived and had a miscarriage. At that point they talked with a Christian medical doctor and read the fine print in the contraceptives package. They found that while taking the pill you can get pregnant and then miscarry. They were grieved! They were Christians! They were pro-life! They realized that their selfish actions had taken the life of their child. They prayed and asked God to forgive them, and to teach them to love children like He loves children. They asked God to bless them with as many children as He saw fit in His timing.

They didn't say that they had displeased God by being on the pill and therefore Michelle miscarried. What they said was that they felt terrible about Michelle miscarrying due to being on the pill. Therefore, they decided to let God dictate how many kids they would have ie: not actively prevent pregnancy. As far as Josie being born early, I think it's a bit snarky to say maybe it's because God is unhappy with them. That poor little baby is going to have to fight to live while her parents sit, watch and hope she does indeed survive. What this family needs now is lots of prayers for a healthy recovery for their newest baby.

 

[luvmy3]

Where did you read that? Their website states that:

Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar married July 21st, 1984. At that time, they chose to use the birth control pill. They thought, “We don’t want children right now. We can’t afford them. We want children in our timing, when we’re ready.” Four years later they decided to have their first child. Then, Michelle went back on the pill, but she conceived and had a miscarriage. At that point they talked with a Christian medical doctor and read the fine print in the contraceptives package. They found that while taking the pill you can get pregnant and then miscarry. They were grieved! They were Christians! They were pro-life! They realized that their selfish actions had taken the life of their child. They prayed and asked God to forgive them, and to teach them to love children like He loves children. They asked God to bless them with as many children as He saw fit in His timing.

They didn't say that they had displeased God by being on the pill and therefore Michelle miscarried. What they said was that they felt terrible about Michelle miscarrying due to being on the pill. Therefore, they decided to let God dictate how many kids they would have ie: not actively prevent pregnancy. As far as Josie being born early, I think it's a bit snarky to say maybe it's because God is unhappy with them. That poor little baby is going to have to fight to live while her parents sit, watch and hope she does indeed survive. What this family needs now is lots of prayers for a healthy recovery for their newest baby.

What this family needs is the help from medical technology, the same medical technology that made it possible for them to know the risks involved when Michelle got pregnant for the 19th time.

 

[JerseyJanice]

What this family needs is the help from medical technology, the same medical technology that made it possible for them to know the risks involved when Michelle got pregnant for the 19th time.

See, this is something that bothers me--where do people of faith draw the line between allowing God's will to happen and practicing prudent medical interventions?

I don't share the same beliefs in God that the Duggars do, but I do consider myself a faithful Christian. I definitely do not believe it's God's will that a woman of Mrs. Duggar's age facing the same potential complications as she now is should get pregnant again. What if Mrs. Duggar doesn't survive another pregnancy? Who will be mother to the 19 other children she brought into this world? It really isn't fair to put that responbility on the child's older sisters who should really be allowed to become mothers when they decide. JMO, but no girl not be forced into a life of pretending to be the mother of another woman's children. (That is pretty much what they're up against now, but I digress. )

I wish this baby all the best, but to be frank, without tons of medical intervention, what are the odds that any fetus could survive after only 25 weeks of gestation? Isn't it God's will that such children not survive? You know, they certainly wouldn't if God's will were the only thing happening.

 

[wilderness01]

Michelle and Jim Bob interpreted their miscarriage as a sign of God's displeasure with them using birth control. Maybe they'll interpret this premmie as a sign that God's not happy with raising their children on tv, or some other "sin". Just a thought.

I heard them say that in an interview on their show.

 

[Aisling]

I heard them say that in an interview on their show.

As did I, that's why I posted it.

 

[m&m's mom]

There probably isn't much else to tell at this point. Michelle is still in the hospital. Since she had the baby on the 10th, she should be released soon, if everything is ok for her. She probably was on a Mag Sulfide drip to bring her BP down.

Josie is going to be in NICU for a few months. Generally, they come home around their due date. She is going to have good days and bad days. It TRUELY is a rollercoaster. Right now, they need to focus on her breathing. I'd guess she's on a vent. She's probably in a tray, not an incubator, naked except for a diaper. A warming light will be above keeping her body at the right tempature. Her eyes will be covered. She will have little "boards" bound to her arms and or legs to give support for the IV(s) which are needed to give her nutrition and allow quick access for medicines. Her heart will need to be monitered closely to make sure the valve closes (the one that normally closes at birth for a full-termer.) Michelle and Jim Bob can sit with her and hold her hands. Josie will "know" they are her parents. You can see it on the moniters (her stats). It will be a while before she is strong enough to be held. (And then she will have all her "wires").

THAT brings back memories. The roller coaster was very accurate. On the advice of the NICU Psychologist I kept a journal while DD was in the hospital. 13 years later I cannot read it without bawling. That was the scariest time in my whole life.
Not being able to leave the hospital with your baby and being able to hold them extremely infrequently at first were horrible. I did not hold DD until she was about 10 days old and even then I was surrounded by Neonatologist, Respiratory Therapists, RN, and NNP's. Not exactly what I remember as a bonding experience.

I heard them say that in an interview on their show.

I remember reading the same thing.