Could Mother of 19 be Addicted to Giving Birth?
Posted on 15 December 2009
The birth of her 19th child was announced last week...a birth that was not supposed to happen until March of next year. Apparently, Michelle Duggar, star of the TLC Reality Show "18 Kids and Counting" suffered from a condition called pre-eclampsia, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that causes high blood presure (according to her doctor), a risk that can be brought on amongst others by back to back pregnancies and consequently prematurely delivered her baby by emergency c-section.
The news reports that Mom's current condition is stable. Of course our prayers are with her and with her new baby daughter, Little Josie Brooklyn who weighed in at only 1 pound 6 ounces, and is being labeled a "micro-preemie" while residing at the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Michelle has been giving birth for decades now and is at double risk for complications during pregnancy because of her age (she's 42). In fact, there are so many risks and complications that can occur for both mom and baby involved, I found myself wondering "why"? Why does she do it? Why the need or the urge to have such a large family? Is it possible she could be addicted to having children? The dictionary defines the word 'addiction' as the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Now don't get me wrong, I am in no way shape or form judging her for choices or decisions she has made. I am a strong believer in live and let live and I certainly respect her for following her faith and her heart and staying true to her beliefs...Yet, I can't help but wonder, could it be an addiction?
Addictions of all sorts are common throughout our country. You can be addicted to smoking, drinking, drugs, gambling, even sex and I'm highlighting just the most common but there are many many more. So maybe you can be addicted to having babies as well. And if so...would it be considered a disease such as alcoholism is?
I mean why else would a woman continue to conceive over and over again especially at her age knowing that she could be putting herself in danger of serious conditions such as uterine atony, or failure, of the uterus to contract after delivery, which can cause life-threatening blood loss and may require a hysterectomy or placenta previa and more. Not to mention the risk to her baby if born prematurely becomes at risk for a weekend immunity, respirtory problems and even the risk of death? She's actually been quoted as stating their familiy motto is "There's always room for one more". I mean honestly, her cup already over floweth with many precious gifts from God, she's even a grandmother to a first grandchild already and I'm sure many more to follow in the future so when is enough...enough?
Lord knows that newborn babies are so precious and adorable that one could easily become addicted to them, especially when you hold them and touch those tiny little fingers and toes and mmm...that sweet baby scent...ahh, the memories as I recollect the births of my own three precious babies, the joys of motherhood... um...sorry got a bit off the subject there...but my point here is that the majority of women choose to stop at some point or another long before number 19, no matter how much they love babies or motherhood.
I have watched her show a few times, enough to know that I have the utmost respect for Michelle as a mother and wife. I mean honestly, she eminates a saint in my opinion, she is extremely patient, understanding and loving to her husband and children...all eighteen of them (not counting the newbie yet), I mean you never see her loose her temper or her cool...ever! And I've actually had her book "The Duggars: 20 and Counting" on my "to buy list" the next time I'm in the bookstore because I admire the parenting skills she portrays and and I guess I kinda consider her to be somewhat of an expert in the field of raising children, (although she will tell you she's not but she can't argue the fact that she certainly has some experience behind her)!
Look, she obviously loves her children and appears to be doing a great job but seriously, when does giving birth to more babies end for her? Will she finally stop or should I say...Can she stop?
Picture Source: ABC News
2 comments
Interesting concept – you may be on to something here.
She is not addicted to having children. In fact, she probably would not have chosen to purposely have 19 children. She and her husband believe that life begins at conception and that they should not do anything to stop conception. I believe the same thing, but I am not married yet, so I do not have any children right now. I am sure she is not addicted to giving birth, but she does love her children. She believes they are a blessing and gift from God and that she should not refuse them. The Octomom might very well be addicted to having children, but not Michelle Duggar.