http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20543449,00.html
They're going for an even 20!
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, stars of TLC's
19 Kids and Counting, are expecting their 20th child this spring.
"We are so excited," says Michelle, 45, who is now about
three-and-a-half months into her pregnancy and due in April. "I feel
good. I am past the sickness stage now."
The Tontitown, Ark., couple, who are parents to children Joshua, 23 (who is married to Anna, 23 and
has two children,
Mackynzie, 2 and Michael, 4 months), twins Jana and John-David, 21;
Jill, 20; Jessa, 19; Jinger, 17; Joseph, 16; Josiah, 15; Joy-Anna, 14;
twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 12; Jason, 11; James, 10; Justin, 8;
Jackson, 7; Johanna, 6; Jennifer, 4; and Jordyn, 3, weathered the
medical emergency of their youngest daughter, Josie's
birth on Dec. 10, 2009.
She was born following Michelle's
preeclampsia diagnosis at a mere 25 weeks, weighing only 1lb., 6 oz.
Josie's
medical drama
? and Michelle's own fight for survival ? was documented throughout
their TV series. Josie will turn 2 in December and is developing
normally, without any longterm effects from her premature birth.
"It is a miracle. Josie is the most energetic, busy little
almost-2-year-old," says Michelle. "She is short, and yet she can keep
up with the big girls and she thinks she is just as big as they are. We
are amazed at what she can do."
Questions About the Pregnancy
Following
Josie's life-threatening arrival into the world, the Duggars understand that some might question their latest pregnancy.
"Michelle is probably in better health now than she was 10
years ago," says Jim Bob, 46. "She has been getting on an elliptical
for about an hour a day and is very careful of what she eats."
Michelle, who is under the care of a high-risk pregnancy doctor,
says she is being cautious, eating a lot of protein and green
vegetables and abstaining from caffeine. Approximately 10 to 15 percent
of women have preeclampsia ? Michelle had it with her second pregnancy
? and the condition can strike randomly. Women who have had it
previously are at higher risk, however.
"We are just going to do the best we can," says Michelle. "I am taking a nap every day, and we are just taking good care."
Jim Bob agrees: "If we had lived by fear after Michelle had
preeclampsia after her second delivery, we would have missed out on all
our wonderful blessings," he says. "So many of her pregnancies have gone
extremely well."
One completely new aspect of this pregnancy? Michelle will have her very first scheduled Cesarean section since Josie's
premature birth required a special cut on the inside of her uterus.
"I've never had a planned C-section," Michelle says. "So this one will be different."
Spreading the News
Also different: how to tell 19
siblings that one more is on the way. Jim Bob gathered all the kids
together for a family picture, but instead of telling them to say
"cheese," told them to say, "Mom's going to have another baby!"
"The kids were all asking, 'Are you joking or are you serious?' "
says Michelle. "It was a big surprise. The little ones started
jumping up and down when they realized he was serious."
After hugs and high fives all around, the siblings are now
debating the baby's gender and name. The Duggars, who heard the baby's
heartbeat in a recent ultrasound, expect to find out whether they are
having a boy or girl around Christmas.
The Season 5 finale of
19 Kids and Counting airs 9 p.m. Tuesday on TLC. The special
Duggars World Tour: Scotland & Ireland, showing a newly pregnant Michelle traveling to Europe with the whole family, premieres Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. on TLC.
Re: 20th Child on the way for the Duggar's....
Congrats to both my TTC buddies, Amberley18 and sb2006 on their beautiful babies!
I just watched the clip, I think the stopping at an odd number was suppose to be a joke.
although I would never have 20 kids personally, I don't have have anything against them having that many. All the children seem cared for and they provide for them financially. and they all seem like very well behaved children too.
My only concern would be that she had such a difficult pregnancy with the last one and with her age, I would hate to see her have those same issues and something happen to her with all those little ones at home.
Stand up for something you believe in.
I just hope this one goes smoothly. I always feel nervous for them whenever they announce a new pregnancy.
I've been around the family in social situations, and really, they're very sweet people. I don't understand or agree with their way of life, but I can't begrudge them any happiness. Their children are well cared for, so who am I to judge?
(except for Cousin Amy. she's a biitch.)
updated 10.03.12