Michelle Duggar Gives Birth to 19th Child Prematurely

By Chris Jancelewicz Posted Dec 11th 2009 04:42PM

According to ABC News, Michelle Duggar, the star of the TLC reality show '18 Kids and Counting', has given birth to her 19th child in an emergency C-section.

Josie Brooklyn - all the Duggar children have first names that start with 'J' - was born Thursday evening, and she weighed in at just over one pound. She is in stable condition at the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, says TLC.

TLC reports "Michelle is resting comfortably" while Josie is currently being housed in the neonatal intensive care unit, and that "the family is grateful for all the prayers and well wishes during their recovery."

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The Duggar Family

Uncle Alec and the Culkin brothers (Rory and Kieran) attend the premiere of their film 'Lymelife' in New York, April 1. Check Out More Pics of the Star >>

Beth Hall, AP

The Duggar Family

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, the Arkansas parents of 18 who are expecting their first grandchild next month, announced Tuesday that their 19th child is on the way. Here, Michelle holds her 18th child, Jordyn-Grace, when she was born in December as 16 of the children and her husband look on.

Beth Hall, AP

The Duggars' oldest child, Joshua, and his wife, Anna, both 21, are expecting a baby girl who they plan to name Mackynzie Renée on Oct. 18. Michelle and Jim Bob said they were excited about having a baby the same age as their grandchild.

Jessa Duggar, TLC / AP

Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 inches long. "She's just absolutely beautiful, like her mom and her sisters," Jim Bob Duggar said.

Beth Hall, AP

Admiring a new baby is a very familiar scene to the Duggars. Here, Michelle Duggar introduces newborn Jennifer to the rest of the family on Aug. 2, 2007.

Beth Hall, AP

Cable network TLC airs a weekly show about the Duggars called '18 Kids and Counting.' Here, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar kiss at a Mother's Day event in 2008 in Little Rock, Ark.

Mike Wintroath, AP

The Duggars have 10 sons and eight daughters. "We would love to have more," Jim Bob Duggar said in December. But finding another "J" name might be a problem. In addition to Jordyn-Grace, Jennifer and Joshua, the Duggar children are Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jeremiah, Jedidiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson and Johannah. (Sources: AP, TLC, MSNBC)

Beth Hall, AP

Duggar's baby was not due until March 2010, but TLC is reporting that Duggar went into the hospital early suffering pain from a gallstone. People magazine reported Monday that Duggar had been airlifted to a hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas because her gallbladder problems were causing contractions.

Only 6 percent of babies are born so early. Most preemies make it the 33rd week of pregnancy. Advances in obstetrics and neonatology have improved the chances of survival for babies as small as Josie Brooklyn.

Josie Brooklyn was born at 25 weeks and, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in June, babies born at 25 weeks who receive aggressive treatment through intensive care have an 82 percent chance of survival.

Husband Jim Bob Duggar and the other 18 kids await further news from the hospital.

Tags: 18 kids and counting, 18KidsAndCounting, duggar family, duggar19babies, DuggarFamily, duggars, jim bob duggar, JimBobDuggar, the duggars, TheDuggars, tlc

Comments

(19)

Friday 11 December

By realist

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Well Michelle, maybe this is your body's way of telling you it's had enough. Listen to it.

Saturday 12 December

By dixie

I totally agree with you on that and was thinking the same thing this morning...natures way of saying enough is enough!

By A

Congrats Michelle and the rest of the Duggar family. You're in my prayers. All of you, and baby Josie (What an awesome name!) will make it through this. You're a very strong family and you should all be grateful that you have each other :). Good Luck to you all, and baby Josie Brooklyn.

By Nicole

Congrats!! And also congrats for keeping all of your kids out of the media spotlight, unlike another reality tv family (coughs) Jon & Kate.

By tracy

Congratulations Dugger family. I just feel the need to write you with some words of encouragement. My daughter Cassie was born 16 weeks premature and weighed only 1lb10 ounces. She was in the haspital for three months and although we were warned that she would probably have many problems physically and developementally, God answers prayers. Cassie will be 13 this month and has absolutely nothing wrong with her. She is extremely bright,happy and a blessing to her entire family. So take heart and feel sorry for those who don't have and cannot understand the kind of love your family has. You're in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Tracy Beahan and family

Sunday 13 December

By Bev

Michelle, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your precious little Josie. I too am the mother of a premie girl. I was told that girls are stronger than boys and have more fight in them, so she is going to be a little fighter when she grows up. I know my daughter is lol. I am sure that the rest of your children can hardly wait to have her home to spoil. God speed to you all.
From a premie Mom to another - Love you hun and stay strong for Josie because she needs you more than anyone else right now!

By susan bryant -knowles

IT is time the you are put out to pasture dear,

By Lynne

Enough!! Couldn't your family now sponsor poor children who need help just trying to survive?? No one needs to have this many children. How can you possibly have one on one with this many kids? You can't. I also do not think it's fair to the older children to be making them raise your babies. Sorry, but I think you are setting a poor example of "real" life for your children.

Monday 21 December

By lee

Did you ever hear. If you have nothing nice to say,say nothing at all. After all who are you the judge and juror. God blessed her with these children and is providing them with a way to support all of them. Its her body and her mind. Mind your own business.

Monday 25 January

By Kandis

Thank you, I agree with u.. She needs to stop, she puting her body and family at risk ..

By C

My little siter was born 20wks. early, at a little over a pound and half. She was in the hospital for 2 1/2 months then came home while still on oxygen and cardiac monitars and all that. That was 14 years ago. So I am sure with all the medical advances they have made Josie will be just fine. Prayers and best wishes!

Thursday 17 December

By mandysmom

I know God is good and is watching over your child.
However, before one gets thru the cracks maybe you should not have another.

Friday 18 December

By j

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 26 September

By dlf

now days nobody needs that many kids, that;s just stupid

By poppy

God Bless all of you and especially your newest tiny angel. We are praying for you all. With todays medical advances, your little Josie should be just fine and running around the house next yr at this time. God Bless

Sorry...but that's how I feel about it. I am entitled to my opinion....just as you are!
I am Pro-Choice too because I believe each of us has the right to make a choice.
I chose to have 3 children...not one and a half dozen....but it's her right to do it. I hope the baby does well.

Thursday 24 December

By wendy

I am praying for your family I am so amazed on how you do so well with your children God Bless You!

Sunday 24 January

By BRANDALENE

DEAR DUGGARS, CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW LITTLE ANGEL. I AM PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU AND BABY JOSIE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD OUR SECOND CHILD IN FEBRUARY 2009. HE WAS BORN WITH A RARE SYNDROME CALLED HYDROPS. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY C-SECTION BECAUSE HIS HEART RATE WAS DROPPING. MY DOCTOR HAD ALREADY TOLD ME THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT(ONLY 1% DOES IS WHAT HE HAD TOLD US). WE WE'RE TRYING TO BE PREPARED TO SEE OUR SON IN THE NICU FOR A WHILE BUT WHEN HE WAS BORN HE LIVED 20 MINUTES. AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW HARD IT IS TO HAVE YOUR OWN CHILD TO PASS AWAY BEFORE YOU DO. AND EVEN THOUGH NOTHING CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF OUR BABY BOY, WE ARE NOW EXPECTING ANOTHER LITTLE ONE IN JUNE. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU. GOD BLESS!!!

Saturday 30 January

By Kim

To Nicole,

why does everyone say that Jon and Kate exposed their children, they were only on TV just like the Duggars and following their everyday lives, until the MEDIA decided they wanted more. can you explain to me the difference?

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