19 kids and 2 adults; to many people this sounds like it likely came from a classroom, but for the Duggar family, it is the total headcount of those who share daily life in the Duggar household. The Duggar family is from Arkansas and is headed by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar who have been married for 27 years and have 19 kids. However, on November 8, on the “Today Show” they announced they are pregnant again and expect their 20th child in April of 2012.
The family lives in a Christian-based home where they home-school all of their children. Part of their Christian belief system says the use of birth control is a sin. They believe if God wants them to have a child, he will give it to them. Many people have criticized them for this belief, especially since their announcement, and for good reason.
First, the effects on the female body after carrying that many kids are tremendous. Michelle has gone through 19 births already. More than half of these were natural births, but the birth of their 19th child required an incision on the inside of Michelle’s uterus to deliver the baby. This means that Michelle is no longer able to have a natural childbirth and the 20th child will have to be born via c -section. The fact that Michelle is now having to be under the special care of a high risk doctor and cannot have another child naturally means the risks are beginning to become significant. The last child they had, Josie, was born prematurely and almost died. Michelle’s life was also put at risk because she was diagnosed with preeclampsia. Also, Michelle is 45-years-old and doctors say that after 35, it is significantly more dangerous to have a baby.
Michelle said, on the “Today Show,” that although there is a high risk that she and her baby could experience complications, she said she is willing to take the risk because God gave her this child. However, I say God was giving her a sign when the last baby almost died. A sign to stop having babies. Michelle and Jim Bob are being irresponsible by taking the chance that their other 19 kids could be left motherless if this current, or any future, pregnancy and delivery goes aray.
Many people are wondering if this latest pregnancy is geared, toward generating attention. After all, every time the Duggars announce a new pregnancy, the ratings on their show go up. They also garner headlines in many celebrity newspapers and spots on many news shows. If the babies stop coming, the ratings will likely drop and the show could end up cancelled.
The other 19 kids act excited about the new addition, but are they really? I doubt it. Perhaps they have been made to believe is a good thing, but what they really want, most likely is more attention from Michelle and Jim Bob and to feel like they are a member of an intimate family and not just another body in the commotion of a large family.
The 20th Duggar child means one more child to care for and one more person for Mom and Dad to spend time with. At what point does having more kids go from welcoming a new member into the family to just making irresponsible choices? I say it is when you are carrying baby number 20 in the face of huge risks.