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It is sad that the baby had to be delivered early and I hope that mom and baby continue to do well.
I'm confused why you hope she stops having kids now, though. I think the Duggar family enjoys being a large family and they are having the kids they see fit for them and their relationship with God. Pre-eclampsia can happen any time - regardless of your age, how many children you've had before, etc. My cousin just had triplets and they were born 4 months early because of complications - this was her first pregnancy and there were complications that were unforeseen. Who is anybody else to decide that they should stop having children?
I just don't think a woman's body was meant to have so many children. I'm all for big families, but she is getting older now so obviously there are more risks involved just like there would be for any woman at her age. What would happen to the family if they were to lose her? Any family would be devastated to lose their mother and wife, but I don't know. It just seems like it would be in the best interest of the family if she were to stop conceiving. That's just my belief though and obviously it's her life and her body so she's obviously entitled to her own choices.
Okay ... that makes sense .. if they were to lose her that family would fall apart! Have you seen that show? She makes that family!
I didn't mean to sound harsh in my comment ... just wasn't curious - I LOVE that they have so many children!! And I think it's really great... but that would be hard on the family if something happened to the next child or to her for sure!
From what I know she hasn't had problems before, which is a sign to me that she should probably stop bearing children. She's in her forties anyway, so the risks are just going to keep increasing.
ETA: According to their website...
"Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar married July 21st, 1984. At that time, they chose to use the birth control pill. They thought, “We don’t want children right now. We can’t afford them. We want children in our timing, when we’re ready.” Four years later they decided to have their first child. Then, Michelle went back on the pill, but she conceived and had a miscarriage. At that point they talked with a Christian medical doctor and read the fine print in the contraceptives package. They found that while taking the pill you can get pregnant and then miscarry. They were grieved! They were Christians! They were pro-life! They realized that their selfish actions had taken the life of their child. They prayed and asked God to forgive them, and to teach them to love children like He loves children. They asked God to bless them with as many children as He saw fit in His timing."
Interesting.
It broke my heart when I heard that news. Babies born that early have it really tough- often if they manage to survive, they deal with the consequences of prematurity for the rest of their lives. And it must be so hard on the family facing a long stay in the NICU.
It also crossed my mind that she might stop having children. Certainly having a C-section increases the chances of having a repeat C-section and it takes longer to recover from a C-section than a vaginal delivery. So given her responsibilities at home, she can't afford to be off her feet for long! And as Joeswife mentioned, she is getting older, which makes the pregnancy harder on the body in general.
Also, I would think that once you have pre-eclampsia with a pregnancy that results in a premature baby, the fear of that happening again would factor in to your decision to have more children.
I keep that family, and especially that baby, in my prayers.
I think they're amazingly lucky to have had 18 healthy children so far...
....but yes, *my* pesonal belief is that woman needs to stop getting pregnant and having that many kids is crazy! But that's just my thought.
Maybe they should just spend all the time they have on their children and not trying to add more to the brood. It's just...so many kids to give attention to!
I don't think it's always true that a c-section takes longer to recover from than a vaginal birth (not speaking from personal experience, but from the experience of a friend of mine who carried particularly large children and had a vaginal delivery the first time and a scheduled c-section the second time). I also hope they view this experience as a sign to stop (of course there are more risks for Michelle at this age and it would certainly devastate them to lose her, and possibly even moreso with so many still-young children at home), but it doesn't sound like it's in keeping with their beliefs and they may continue to have children until she just stops conceiving naturally, which is also their choice... just not the same one I would make ;).
I have said many a prayer for Michelle Duggar, Jim Bob and their baby girl. By the way, the hospital she's at (University for Arkansas for Medical Sciences) is my alma mater and where I trained. A fantastic medical center with an amazing Nicu.
About preemies.
My son was a preemie in case you didn't know. I had pre-eclampsia. At 7 months. He was 2 lbs 8 oz. We were only in the nicu about five weeks, as I knew the neonatologist well and he said I could care for him better at home when he hit 4lbs than the center could (it was an amazing center in TN).
It has NOTHING to do with age and can have many influencing factors. As for me, I don't have high blood pressure but was under at the time alot of stress from work (I was working with my former husband running a large segment of his company and trying at the same time to close a huge business deal) and trying to get alot accomplished before I went on maternity leave. Plus my ex was a very high stress person so my doc thinks he literally brought alot of stuff on me and that summer I was to deliver it was swealtering hot in TN.
As for Michelle, she had problems with her gallbladder apparently and the stress from all that brought about alot of the pre-ecclampsia symptoms.
My sister also had pre-ecclampsia with her first child and it was due to her also working very hard, hot summertime, and basically supporting their family financially at the time (my brother in law was in medical school so my sister worked to pay all their bills). Lotsa stress.
When they had their second child, she didn't have it and my doc said since my stressor is gone forever (the ex and all his self-induced problems and stress) I wouldn't have it either.
it's something you don't know will happen until it does. Mine happened suddenly and overnight and I caught it...my doctor didn't. But it doesn't mean you shouldn't have babies or judge anybody imho.
by the way, my former 2lb 8 oz baby boy is 11 years old now. One of the smartest kids in his class, a great baseball player and is wanting to try football in the fall, and has no problems. He had mild reactive-airway problems as a little little boy but he's outgrown everything. No problems from being a preemie.
I too hope and pray that the baby gains health as does the mother.
My personal opinion - which I know that many will not agree with - but this is my own personal opinon...I agree that she should stop having children for many reasons...including age, health and the fact that they already have 19!!! But it's their decision and I don't even know them (obviously) and at least (unlike many people) they have the means to care for that many children.
But my main thing (again - please do NOT flame me) but my own personal opinion is that there are too many children in this world as it is. and just do not like seeing people who have so many children. Again, I know a lot will not agree with me - but I just don't think people should have so many children like this.
@JuneBride: I'd be really surprised if anyone flamed you. ;) Most people don't subscribe to the same family "planning"... plan as the Duggars do, but that seems to be part of their religious philosophy. Personally I'm all about planning and not at all about "letting blessings come when they will", and I'm sure many of us (if not most) fall more on that side of the continuum than the other.
@belle- I'm fully aware that pre-eclapmsia is not age related and that anyone could get it, young or older. I know that if I were to get pregnant, even at 22, there are many things that can go wrong. I also know that there are many premis who end up being just fine, but there's also many who don't. Your son was also born almost a month later than her baby, which obviously is immensly helpful. At 25 weeks, a premie just goes on a day by day basis. She could be stable today, but go downhill tomorrow. I've also had a friend give birth about that early and her son lived about two weeks. I most definitely wish the best health for her and that the baby pulls through and leads a long healthy life, but risks will increase with age, there's no denying that.
If she doesn't believe in birth control because of her previous experiences (which is fine), why doesn't she use a NFP method? Obviously nobody here could tell us the answer to that, but I just don't think that not using birth control pills or condoms is an excuse to get pregnant every year or so.
As I said, I am not against having a large family whatsoever. It's more of an age thing that makes me hopes she stops. It's one thing to be in your 40s and trying for a 1st or 2nd child, but she has just been gifted with so much already. But again, just my opinion.
@spaniel
I know it really comes down "to each their own"...and truly - if people who do decide to have x # of children - as long as they can afford (financially AND emotionally) to raise them - then that's what matters...
It's just so sad to hear anymore about too many children that are born into families that couldn't afford to have them in the first place (not just talking financially - but emotionally as well - I watch too much news. lol)
Again though - as far as Mrs. Dugger and the new baby - I truly hope and pray that everything goes great for them and that they both get healthy. :)
Well I think that their faith is their faith and their beliefs are theirs. She has had many blessings and if this is something that makes them happy, then so be it. I'm not going to judge her either way. I think they're great. Definitely for real, unlike some of the other reality mega-children couples that were out there imho.
As for numbers of kids, I think that we live in a free country and that we should be glad we can have the gift of choice how to live our lives. If you can support them and feed them, love them and clothe them and educate them, then be happy and wish you the best.
I have a coworker who's baby was on time and had severe complications similar to that of many preemies and she was in the nicu for a few weeks too. Sometimes this happens sadly, but she's beautiful and adorable today and just fine. :)
Btw, one pounders do quite well! Our hospitals' nicu has a few and I have a girlfriend who is a rn up there and she said they're doin' fine. Technology has come a long way. You just never know who will need the blessings from it whether it be a preemie or a baby full term and full birth weight either.
I may have another and my doc knows. We're not sure though. We could if we want to. It just depends on life and its twists and turns. But my choices are my own. I wish that for everybody else and wish them well should they choose to open their hearts to a child, whether through the blessing of birth or adoption. I'd even love to adopt one day too!
Didya know this? (sorry, this is cut and pasted)
These celebs were born prematurely yet left their marks on this world!
I agree that some premies do really well, but having spent a good majority of my residency in the NICU, I can say that is not always the case. At 24 weeks (Michelle's child is 25 weeks), 50% of babies will survive and 50% of those will have permanent disability.
Here is some actual information about outcomes of prematurity.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461571
Culling from the article: "about 50% for ELBW infants weighing less than 750 grams.<sup>"</sup>
1 lb= 450 grams... so that means 50% survival.
Outcomes improve every year, but prematurity is no joke and should be taken very seriously.
I agree with you. Luckily our little ones in our hospital are doing fine. There's three and I think they refer to them micro-preemies when they're that little.
Were those stats worldwide or from the US only? I would find that interesting to know.
I work in the NICU and I have to say that Bellenga, you are very very lucky!
I keep tabs on a lot of NICU graduates and it can be a long, hard road, with many future hospitalizations for future illness, weaker than average immune systems, potential vision problems etc etc etc
I think that at her age, they should be thinking long and hard about not having any more kids. Also this child has real potential to be special needs, and could require a lot more care.
Premature babies can have visual and auditory problems, long term effects to their lungs and heart, they can require oxygen at home long-term, have weaker immune systems which makes them far more prone to illness, and are more likely to require hospitalization if they become ill (and who is going to take care of everyone else if the parents are caring for a hospitalized child). Since they have so many other children at home, their preemie is even more at risk of getting sick once it is home. They can have have bowel infections, colostomy bags if bowel dies from those infections, and even if they avoid colostomies, can have long-term nutrition issues from damaged intestines.
These are all quite common among preemies, it is a really serious thing, and even though some are lucky, it is really hard to know within the first year of life how much impact prematurity will have had on them physiologically.
Just to add to Mrs. DG:
I will search for the article, but there is a lot of evidence that preemies born at sea level fare much better than those at higher altitudes, at very high altitudes (like denver), they see some form of disability or death in up to 90% of preemies born, that means only 10% will be totally normal.
For reference, Little Rock Arkansas is around 300ft elevation, Denver CO is about 5000 ft
I just want to say that having 18 healthy children is amazing. I don't necessarily agree with why they're having kids, etc etc but that's not something for me to decide for them. I just think that, in today's day and age, having that many children is something quite amazing and incredible.
Not that it's a lifestyle for me, and like a poster above me said, I do think that there's a lot of unwanted children in the world without bringing in so many just because you don't want to take contraception.
I can barely imagine having my first baby....let alone 19. Wow. I hope their baby stays healthy.
I hope that mother and baby start to do better. I do agree that I could never have that many kids because of the large number of unwanted kids all over the world.
I was given btw a laundry list (one paged typed document with each section typed and page totally filled up) of possible things that could happen to my baby after I had him.
I knew I did everything right, (ate right, exercised moderately, kept good weight, was on top of all ob/gyn appointments) and still it happened despite not having any prior medical conditions or considerations. In my case, seriously they think it was due to incredible stress and heat.
I'm also a medical professional btw, for what it's worth. I don't work in nicu, in another whole area, but am aware of the severe issues some preemies have with breathing. My son only had mild reactive-airway issues until he was about four. Colds that would hang on, and some wheezing. He's great now. He is almost as tall as I am at 11!
These are only US stats. You can't compare our technology to other parts of the world. Even in Europe there are very different protocols for NICU care (though also with very good outcomes).
I should say that nobody knows why pre-eclampsia happens. I just want to make sure that we stay factually based :)
Who gets Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia occurs in 5-8 percent of all pregnancies, though it is most common in first-time pregnancies. Some research suggests that one's risk of preeclampsia is increased with a first pregnancy with a new partner/husband, however recent research suggests that the key factor in that increased risk is not the new husband, but in fact increased maternal age. The most significant risk factors for preeclampsia are found at the following link:
http://www.preeclampsia.org/FAQ.asp
I hope the Duggar family is doing well! I don't know so many stats on preemies but of the people I know that were born premature, none have any side effects (that I know of), but I also know from working in a womens/childrens hospital (not in a patient care field but you still learn a lot) that 25 weeks is EXTREMELY early and the chances aren't that great. I hope everything turns out well for them.
As far as the too many children issue goes...my personal opinion is that if they can support their kids, then I have no problem with them. It's those people who CANT support their kids that I think should stop having kids, especially those in the US where birth control and sex education are readily available. It is important, however, to plan for the future, and pushing Michelle Duggar's health may make it so that their family is not provided for (not just with money but in other ways) in the future. Just my 2cents!
i really hope mom and baby do well- it would rip that family apart to lose either
I hope they are doing well... I was so sad to read that she gave birth prematurely. While I can't even wrap my head around having 1 kid, let alone 19, I think she and Jim seem like very nice people. Hoping for the best for them!
I think it would be the end of the show if something horrible happend to either baby or mother. to me it doesnt seem natural to have that many kids. i enjoy their show though because of their tight family bonds but i think it's about time she retired from the baby making business.
random but ironic, my name is also Josi and I was a preemie, haha!
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According to the TLC website http://blogs.discovery.com/tlc-michelle-duggar-blog/2009/12/earlier-than-expected-1.html?dtc=tlc-hp-duggars
I really, really hope she stops having kids now :( At least they say mom and baby are doing well. I suppose "well" as in as well a baby born that early can be doing.