Duggar Family Spends Holidays in Hospital

By PopEater Staff Posted Dec 24th 2009 04:21PM

Michelle Duggar, the star of the TLC reality show '18 Kids and Counting', gave birth to her 19th child in an emergency C-section earlier this month. Now the super-sized clan is temporarily relocating 200 miles from home, where the baby is still in intensive care, PEOPLE reports.

"Josie is 2-weeks-old today," father Jim Bob Duggar says. "We continue to take things day by day – she remains in the NICU where doctors are tracking her progress."

Michelle suffered from preeclampsia, a condition during pregnancy that causes high blood pressure. The couple's 19th child Josie was born prematurely, weighing only 1 lb., 6 oz.

"Our entire family is planning to relocate to Little Rock temporarily to be close to Josie," Jim Bob says. "In the meantime, we're grateful that a close friend in Little Rock has opened up their home to us for the holidays."

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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

Tags: 18 kids and counting, 18KidsAndCounting, michelle duggar, MichelleDuggar

Comments

(78)

Thursday 24 December

By Colin

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

She is so lucky that only one of her children has speical needs, These people should have stopped with kids a long time ago, I don't understand the mindset, if her 19 children have 19 children that would be 361 grand children and if those 361 grand children have 19 children thats thats 6,859

By Jennifer

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm not sure why you're worried Colin - this is a family who is self-supporting. They have real estate investment properties and retain true family values. I wish we had more families like this one in the world - it would be a much better place.

Friday 25 December

By sherry

I think they believe they need to re-populate the country.......crazy people.

By Maureclaire

Really ! Its irresponsible ! There are too many people on this planet, already ! If they want so many kids, why don't they adopt kids who NEED a home ! Selfish ! Surprised her uterus hasn't fallen out by now !!!

By jeanne

Having 19 children is their business. They ask no one for help, and they have raised respectful, obediant, intelligent, caring and loving children. They are a witness to families with far less children that raising good kids is possible. I think these parents deserve our accolades for the wonderful job they are doing and the Godly example that they set for the rest of us. It's true they will have lots of grandchildren, birthdays and Christmas could be a challenge. I wish the very best for them. They have earned my respect.

By shar

The Duggers are not self supporting! TLC pays/owns them just like Jon & Kate. The Duggers have their faith to hold them together I hope. Remember when Jon & Kate were a fun couple? (maybe)
Now watching Little People Big World...they are starting to fight and don't seem to like each other. I just love the Little Couple...I hope they leave TLC before it's too late.

By outlaw

What makes you think that you have the right to tell someone when they should stop having kids? Because you can add? Seriously? They are not on well fare, they are not on food stamps and their children are all well behaved and respectful. More than can be said about many people who only raise one or two children.

By lily

You all are rediculous...these people arent on welfare, they care and teach their own children and all the kids are well spoken and good. I cant have any babies but i so wish i could. I envy them and think they are blessed. Dont be so judgmental if God didnt want them to have anymore then they wouldnt. Till then be happy there is a big family that take care of their own

By Brenda

Yeah, but they will all be 'little Christians'!!!

By Amy

Where are you reading that the child has special needs? Just because she is born early gives no indications it will have problems. stop assuming.

By buckeyefanatic68

how do you know the child has special needs? just because she was born a premie doesnt mean she will have any health problems.why shouldnt they be able to have as many kids as they want. they have no debt,pay for everything in cash & are self sufficient.that's more than most people with or without kids can say.

By susyn

The whole duggar idea is to over-populate the US with evangelicals.

Wonder if this were a muslim family how well that idea would be received

By delilah

it figures that the duggars live in the bible belt. they need birth control or maybe they just haven't figured out yet what is causing all these pregnancies. how can these knuckleheads feel good about bringing so many people into an already over-populated world? how can anybody praise or support them? they are absurd and ignorant as hell.

By john stevens

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Keep it going as she insures a new supply of women for Tiger....

By sfkendoll

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Notice this story was filed under "Entertainment News." And by the way, having 19 kids has nothing to do with "family values." I hope the baby is OK and wish them a Merry Christmas.

By Praise the Lord

Colin from what I've learned about these people, they raise each child to be their own person but also to respect others, love unconditionally, forgive easily and work hard. Also, pay their own way and owe no one. So what would be so bad if 6,859 more people raised with those morals walk the Earth some day?

By agt

Yeah imagine all those children and young adults with great morals and values and to top it off they all support themseleves and do not rely on the government!

By boosmom

God bless all the Duggers as they spend their days waiting & praying. I think most people know that when a woman is pregnant many things can happen to her and the child. Michelle & Jim Bob are going thru what many others are facing during the Holiday's. They are leaning very heavily on their faith and their friends & family. Instead of stating the obvious ie...many births... lets all pray for them and little Josie. And while we're at it all those other people who are spending Christmas in the hospital.

Sunday 31 January

By Rosie

AMEN!

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