Michelle Duggar Gives Birth at 25 Weeks to 19th Child

December 11, 2009 by tiffanyb
Filed under: Celebrity Baby News

The 18 Kids and Counting star Michelle Duggar was rushed into an emergency C-section and has given birth to a daughter, which is her and Jim Bob’s 19th child.

Josie Brooklyn Duggar made her arrival on December 10th via an emergency C-section. Born more than 10 weeks premature, she only weighs 1lb 6oz. TLC is reporting that she is in stable condition in the NICU at University of Arkansas Medical Science.

TLC, which airs the show 18 Kids and Counting, also reported, “Michelle is resting comfortably,” and that “the family is grateful for all the prayers and well wishes during their recovery.”

Michelle’s due date was not until March 20, which only put her at 25 weeks pregnant when Josie was born. Michelle was hospitalized earlier this week from gallbladder pains which was also causing her to have contractions.

The earlier a baby is born, the more complications there will be for the baby after the delivery according to the March of Dimes. The organs of a premature baby are less developed and most doctors like to see babies reach 33 weeks if possible.

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% chance of survival.

The Duggars announced in September that they were expecting their 19th child. Earlier this year, Michelle and Jim Bob’s oldest son had a baby of his own with his new wife.

The Duggars have been sure to let others know that they are not on public assistance and they are debt-free with now 19 kids and a 7,000 square foot house.

The couple has said that they will have as many children as God plans on them having until they can’t have any more.