Baby #19 for the Duggars born!

[jjarman]

Wow. I can’t believe how judgmental some people are. And just because they have a reality show does not make it our business. The Duggars made their birth control and child birth choices based on their own personal religious beliefs. Who are we to criticize that? At least they are paying their own way and not depending on the government to pay for their children. I know in one episode Michelle’s OB/GYN stated that Michelle was just made to have babies. The doctor did not strike me as one who would just go along with more pregnancies for the heck of it. She truly wanted the best for Michelle and her children. What is so wrong about having 19 kids if you can take care of them? On the show they seem truly well adjusted and very much loved. I have searched and searched on the internet and can find no bad first hand comments about the family.

I grew up with families that had 12 and 15 kids. One it was a religious thing but the other they parents just did not believe in birth control. The children were healthy and happy and the mothers are still living well into their 80s. All the children pitched in around the house. They also all payed their own way with part time jobs for cars, insurance, clothes. If they were on a reality show now days I am sure people would have thought them odd. What is so wrong with raising well behaved, clean cut children who care for their brothers and sisters?

 

[Kennywife]

I would hope that Josie comes through with no problems, but the odds are stacked against her that she will come out with some form of condition (s) due to the circumstances of her birth. I can speak about this because I was born two months premature at 3 lbs, 5 oz and came out with Epilepsy, ADD, mild to moderate Neuromuscular damage, and mild hearing loss that is permanent. And I am considered one of the lucky ones.

My parents worked with me daily to help me learn to walk. (I walked on my toes for years.) What I fear is that they won't have the time to devote to this little girl. Preemies need more time than other kids do.

Anna

 

[happygirl]

Wow. I can’t believe how judgmental some people are. And just because they have a reality show does not make it our business. The Duggars made their birth control and child birth choices based on their own personal religious beliefs. Who are we to criticize that? At least they are paying their own way and not depending on the government to pay for their children. I know in one episode Michelle’s OB/GYN stated that Michelle was just made to have babies. The doctor did not strike me as one who would just go along with more pregnancies for the heck of it. She truly wanted the best for Michelle and her children. What is so wrong about having 19 kids if you can take care of them? On the show they seem truly well adjusted and very much loved. I have searched and searched on the internet and can find no bad first hand comments about the family.

I grew up with families that had 12 and 15 kids. One it was a religious thing but the other they parents just did not believe in birth control. The children were healthy and happy and the mothers are still living well into their 80s. All the children pitched in around the house. They also all payed their own way with part time jobs for cars, insurance, clothes. If they were on a reality show now days I am sure people would have thought them odd. What is so wrong with raising well behaved, clean cut children who care for their brothers and sisters?

Very well said

 

[happygirl]

My heart breaks for the Duggars. Congratulations on the birth of Josie Brooklyn - Our heartfelt prayer is with you.

They have done nothing wrong, live their lives lovingly toward all, never judging another, yet many here find it easy to judge this family at a time when what they need is our positive thoughts and prayer. I am disappointed to read such a lack of compassion in some of the posts.

When my son passed unexpectedly I did find strength and peace from my faith, but it does not take away the pain and this family is going through a time of personal crisis with their little Josie. Bless her heart...

I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Wow. I can’t believe how judgmental some people are. And just because they have a reality show does not make it our business. The Duggars made their birth control and child birth choices based on their own personal religious beliefs. Who are we to criticize that? At least they are paying their own way and not depending on the government to pay for their children. I know in one episode Michelle’s OB/GYN stated that Michelle was just made to have babies. The doctor did not strike me as one who would just go along with more pregnancies for the heck of it. She truly wanted the best for Michelle and her children. What is so wrong about having 19 kids if you can take care of them? On the show they seem truly well adjusted and very much loved. I have searched and searched on the internet and can find no bad first hand comments about the family.

I grew up with families that had 12 and 15 kids. One it was a religious thing but the other they parents just did not believe in birth control. The children were healthy and happy and the mothers are still living well into their 80s. All the children pitched in around the house. They also all payed their own way with part time jobs for cars, insurance, clothes. If they were on a reality show now days I am sure people would have thought them odd. What is so wrong with raising well behaved, clean cut children who care for their brothers and sisters?

Then whose business is it that my belief is that the idea of having 19 children a disgrace? Oh, that's right...I am putting my belief out into the public eye just as she has done. I absolutely expect that not everyone will agree with me. Will that change my belief? No! Will my view change her beliefs? I sincerely doubt it. But, if you're saying that beliefs should not be challenged, then you shouldn't be questioning the beliefs of those that think what she is doing is dangerous and self serving.

 

[monkey68]

While it's possible that the little baby won't have any complications, it's much more likely that she will have some sort of lasting problems. For every child that leaves the NICU and does just fine, there are plenty more babies born at that same time that develop all sorts of issues. I'm hoping she comes out ok. And there is no way of guessing who will do well and who won't, when I was working in the NICU, we had one baby that we thought was doing beautifully, on her way to getting out of the NICU, until she developed sepsis and ended up taking about 100 steps backwards.

But I kind of feel like they've been incredibly blessed to have 18 normal deliveries, you almost think that by this point, her body is just given out on her, and in a way, it's probably almost like she went into preterm labor just because her body may not be able to handle the stress of carrying to term any more.

 

[bebelle]

Sixteen years ago our son was born 3 months premature at 2 pounds 7 ounces. He is now a VERY healthy young man. We will be keeping Josie and the Duggars in our prayers.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your son.. I can't even imagine..

I think what many don't understand here is that regardless of the outcome, this is a rock-solid Christian family who will handle this crisis as a family unit - with prayer, strength, unity, and dignity..

God bless them all..

[/b]
Im so sorry for your loss

I'm so sorry for your loss

How thoughtful of each of you! I didn't meant to take away from the focus of the thread.

To some who mentioned they have a right to their opinion: of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but perhaps a thread with concern for this new baby is not the place to criticize the parents?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I heard this news last night, shortly after she was born, by a friend of the family but since there was no official word I didn't say anything. You know how urban legends are... I'm sad to hear that it was true.

I love the name they chose for her and will keep the family in my prayers.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

My heart truly breaks for the Duggar family & I hope that both Michelle and baby Josie make it through. Their beliefs are of no consequence when the life of an innocent child is at risk and no one should use this unfortunate circumstance to criticize them.

 

[mbfqueen]

Yep yep yep!

Wow. I can’t believe how judgmental some people are. And just because they have a reality show does not make it our business. The Duggars made their birth control and child birth choices based on their own personal religious beliefs. Who are we to criticize that? At least they are paying their own way and not depending on the government to pay for their children. I know in one episode Michelle’s OB/GYN stated that Michelle was just made to have babies. The doctor did not strike me as one who would just go along with more pregnancies for the heck of it. She truly wanted the best for Michelle and her children. What is so wrong about having 19 kids if you can take care of them? On the show they seem truly well adjusted and very much loved. I have searched and searched on the internet and can find no bad first hand comments about the family.

I grew up with families that had 12 and 15 kids. One it was a religious thing but the other they parents just did not believe in birth control. The children were healthy and happy and the mothers are still living well into their 80s. All the children pitched in around the house. They also all payed their own way with part time jobs for cars, insurance, clothes. If they were on a reality show now days I am sure people would have thought them odd. What is so wrong with raising well behaved, clean cut children who care for their brothers and sisters?

 

[charming23]

My thoughts and prayers are with the Duggars at this time. I enjoy watching their show and while I think 19 kids is crazy they seem to have it under control and can support them.

My biggest worry is for Michelle I can not imagine what all of these pregnecies has done to her body. I do wish her all the best and that and little Josie make full recoveries.

 

[blanq]

Maybe, but it's not like the Duggar's go to school or places to pick up tons of germs to bring home

All you have to do is watch their show to see that this family is not isolated. They visit grocery stores, clothing stores, schools (yes, they have spoken to children at schools), play and associate with other families, go on vacation and restaurants where there are other people, etc. They have plenty of opportunities to pick up germs. Children are not good at containing their germs, and having so many of them around a preemie is NOT a healthy environment for any preemie with medical complications. I had to live through the hell (and heaven) of giving birth to and raising a preemie with significant medical complications, so I have some experience with this kind of thing.

 

[Kimberle]

Many prayers for Michelle & Josie. They've had a week since the problem started. They most likely began treating Michelle w/ steriods to help mature the babies lungs in case of an early birth.

My dd was born @ 29 weeks. She was 1#15.5oz, 13.5". She spend 8.5 weeks in NICU. Those days were a rollercoster. My dd is now 10.5 and perfectly healthy w/ no effects.

The hospital bills will be very expensive. I hope they have good insurance.

When Josie comes home. They can isolate her in the nursery and control visitation.

Michelle did have pre-eclampsia in one of her early pregnancies. As you age, it becomes more common.

 

[amzking]

Whether the child has complications or not, whether she is disabled or not, she is a precious gift and is extremely blessed to be surrounded by people that will love her, and if need be, care for her, her entire life.

I have only two children, one is disabled and will need lifetime care. I pray that his sister, and hopefully cousins, will love and care for him after we are gone.

My prayers are with the Duggar family.

 

[bean]

Many prayers to the Duggar family and baby Josie. Although I disagree with many (most) of the beliefs of the Quiverful movement, I do think it is the family's choice to make the decision about the number of children that they have. I'm sure that this will be a very difficult time for them. If you really believe that God is making all of your reproductive choices then it would be so difficult not to question Him in the coming months. As a mother she will be emotionally and physically exhausted as she deals with the reality of taking care of a preemie. I'm sure she will see that adding a new baby to that mix would be a very bad idea for both Josie and herself. But of course as a Quiverful follower she will have no say in that. She will be letting God make that decision unless she chooses abstinance which is unlikely. To me it would be frightening to not be able to make that basic decision for my child. I'm sure they will be ok as far as medical bills are concerned. The Duggars are financially savy and having a television show will give them advantages other families would not have. I'm also a speech pathologist and have worked with many children who are preemies. Some of the long lasting complications can be severe and others more subtle. An interesting family that I worked with were 25 week gestation twins. One daughter had physical therapy as a baby and now has no lasting issues. Her twin (same birth weight) had necrotizing entercolitis, is profoundly deaf, almost blind, and has severe learning disabilities. So I suppose it is always hard to say what the outcome will be. I do wonder as a homeschooling parent what her stance will be on bringing in outside education resources if needed.

 

[Sleepy]

My dd was born @ 29 weeks. She was 1#15.5oz, 13.5". She spend 8.5 weeks in NICU. Those days were a rollercoster. My dd is now 10.5 and perfectly healthy w/ no effects.

The hospital bills will be very expensive. I hope they have good insurance.

I remember one of the little boys I babysat 20 years ago. He was born on Thanksgiving day but was due on Valentines Day. So, that made him about 3 months early. He spent a long time in the hospital. I am sure it was a couple months. I started watching him when he was a year and a half. it was amazing how healthy he was and he had no developmental issues physically or mentally. Those medical bills were awful for the family.

 

[SueM in MN]

That baby will need all the prayers it can get.
Assuming that what I have read is correct and the baby was born at 24 weeks and weighed 1 pound 6 ounces, and assuming that Mrs Duggar got steroids to help lung development before birth, the baby has a very long road ahead and a large chance of complications or death.
Looking at a National Institute of Health calculator for outcome based on gestational age and weight, a baby at 24 weeks gestation and 22 ounces (1 pound 16 ounce, which translates to 624 gm), has the following:
a 62% chance of survival
a 49% chance of survival without profound neurodevelopmental disabilities
a 35 % chance of survival without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities

Those are not good odds and this is not to say this is what will happen, just that looking at large numbers of babies born under these circumstances, these are the statistical outcomes.
If the mother was not able to be given steroids before the birth, that makes the chance of survival much less (only 44% chance of survival) and the chance of developmental disabilities much higher (31% chance of survival without profound neurodevelopmental disabilities and 20% survival without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities).

 

[lovetoscrap]

I hope so...but I doubt it. I think they are a nice family, but I think that having that many children can not be healthy for your body.

Why not? God designed a woman's body to have children. He didn't put a limit on the number it could have-- there is no counter on the uterus. It is a wonderfully made part of our bodies that is made to stretch and contract as needed, just as our hearts. lungs, bladder and our muscles. None of them have a finite limit on how many times they can do their job. Yes, they do start to break down over time, but in a healthy person that can take 80-100 years so no reason that the reproductive organs wouldn't last just as long. It is only the hormonal changes that eventually happen to make pregnancy impossible-- and God's design for when a family should stop having children.

The only natural limit on having children is generally that when a mother is exclusively breastfeeding that keeps her incapable of conceiving again, but Michelle has said that hasn't happened with her. If you believe, as she does, that God makes us for a purpose and has a plan for us then it would follow that her ability to become pregnant while nursing is for a reason of God's choosing.


I think so many forget that the concept of only having 2.5 children per family is a modern one-- and mostly a Western Belief. Women have been having double digits of children for centuries, and in some parts of the world still do. Yes, some don't make it in childbirth for various reasons--many related to the unsanitory conditions or lack of knowledge on how to deal with any complications, but the majority in history were just fine and able to have as many as kids as occured during their fertile years.


Josie and the Dugger family have been in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Why not? God designed a woman's body to have children. He didn't put a limit on the number it could have-- there is no counter on the uterus. It is a wonderfully made part of our bodies that is made to stretch and contract as needed, just as our hearts. lungs, bladder and our muscles. None of them have a finite limit on how many times they can do their job. Yes, they do start to break down over time, but in a healthy person that can take 80-100 years so no reason that the reproductive organs wouldn't last just as long. It is only the hormonal changes that eventually happen to make pregnancy impossible-- and God's design for when a family should stop having children.

The only natural limit on having children is generally that when a mother is exclusively breastfeeding that keeps her incapable of conceiving again, but Michelle has said that hasn't happened with her. If you believe, as she does, that God makes us for a purpose and has a plan for us then it would follow that her ability to become pregnant while nursing is for a reason of God's choosing.


I think so many forget that the concept of only having 2.5 children per family is a modern one-- and mostly a Western Belief. Women have been having double digits of children for centuries, and in some parts of the world still do. Yes, some don't make it in childbirth for various reasons--many related to the unsanitory conditions or lack of knowledge on how to deal with any complications, but the majority in history were just fine and able to have as many as kids as occured during their fertile years.


Josie and the Dugger family have been in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be.

I agree with most everything you have written. BUT...I think her risk is higher with the number of c-sections she has had. I'm sure that many pregnancies, with 3+ c-sections, could be risky for each future pregnancy.

I do have friends who have had 5 or more c-sections, but there own doctors have cautioned them about scar tissue and uterine abruption in future pregnancies.

But if you had no c-sections, and are healthy, I think 19+ pregnancies wouldn't be super hard on your body.

Again...I agree that little Josie and the whole Duggar family need as many thoughts and prayers as possible.