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Josie Duggar Returns to Hospital
Filed under: Celeb Kids, Celeb Parents, In The News, Celeb News & Interviews
Little Josie Duggar has been readmitted to the hospital. Credit: TLC
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar celebrated the homecoming of their 19th child, Josie, last week, but the littlest Duggar is back in the hospital after her vital signs dropped suddenly in the early morning on April 8.
The couple, co-stars of the TLC reality TV show "19 Kids and Counting," brought Josie, who was born prematurely on Dec. 25, back to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock on Thursday at 3 a.m., according to People magazine.
The family is living in a rented home in Little Rock in order to be as close to the hospital as possible while Josie, who was delivered by C-section at just 25 weeks gestation, gains strength. Mom Michelle suffered from preeclampsia. They brought the little girl -- who now weighs in at four pounds, 12 ounces -- to their temporary home in Little Rock for the first time on April 6.
The magazine reports that fortifiers added to breast milk to boost Josie's calorie intake are the culprit, which led to constipation. The constipation, in turn, caused her vital signs to fluctuate, Jim Bob tells People.
He added that the couple has been keeping a very close eye on their new addition. He quoted the Josie's attending physician, Dr. Robert Arrington, co-director of the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit: "Dr. Arrington told us to never trust a preemie," Jim Bob tells People. "That is really true."
Doctors are trying new combinations of fortifiers for Josie, Jim Bob says, and he adds that he and Michelle are riding the emotional roller coaster of caring for a preemie.
"It seems like she will do great for a few days and then have challenges," Jim Bob tells People. "We are so encouraged about how she's doing, and it is amazing how she's filling out. But, even though she is beyond her due date and over the four-month mark, she is still not at the weight of a full-term baby."
It is not yet known how long Josie will remain at Arkansas Children's Hospital, and Jim Bob tells People that the super-sized family would "really appreciate everyone's continued prayers" for the little girl.











ReaderComments (Page 4 of 8)
4-12-2010 @ 6:08PM
KATHY LYNCH said...OUR GRANDSON WAS BORN AT 24 WEEKS WEIGHING ONE LB 5 OZ AND IS NOW 17 YEARS OLD AND DRIVING A CAR.
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4-12-2010 @ 7:21PM
Shirley said...I wonder how long it will be before they bring another child in the world that has to go through this. You're too old to keep making babies!!! Give it up and take care of the ones you have. You're grandparents for God sake. What the hell are you trying to prove???
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4-12-2010 @ 6:14PM
Mary said...Greedy ... they don't seem happy with the number of children they have and they are making more and at her age at the baby's health expense... shame on her.
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4-12-2010 @ 6:12PM
Terri said...Seriously ?!! babies are cluttering our world?? I feel soory for you with that attitude.
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4-12-2010 @ 6:16PM
Hubert said...were does it say that a family cannot grow to 18 or even 20 . no one that i no of ever tells a married couple that there is rules about how many children you can have . if these folks want 50 kids so be it remember you get in life what you make it may be to some these folks have more children than they need . but GOD HAS MORE.
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4-12-2010 @ 6:15PM
Paula said...God Bless your grandson Kathy Lynch but what does this have to do with the Duggars? Does your grandson have 18 siblings? The subject here is stop it already with this cornball family! Shame on you JimBob abstain for at least a month?? Now he is the selfish one.
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4-12-2010 @ 6:32PM
Linda said...As a parent of 3, I know the love of a child and how special each one can be. But 19...what are you people thinking??? I can bet that the kids will grow up with emotional problems because they didn't have enough time with the parents as "the baby" to learn about the world they were brought into. They probably aren't even out of diapers before they have another one on the way. They have got to be the horniest people I have ever heard of. It's time to grow up & be responsible parents & quit behaving like oversexed teens. Have you ever heard of birth control?
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4-12-2010 @ 6:27PM
Anonymus said...The Duggars are a remarkable family. I do pray for them in hoping that baby Josie gets better as well as the well being of the rest of the family. For those who claim that Mrs. Duggar continuing to be pregnant is a form of feeling younger, I must say to you that no where has she herself stated that. She loves all of her children equally and is the best mother she can be. She tends to each child individually and the kids know that she loves them. Will she get pregnant again, I dont know but my opinions against the idea are not because she can't handle it or that she's adding to make it an equal 20. It is strictly for the health of herself as well as the health of another baby. I think she is a wonderful person and I think there should be more people like her in this world!
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4-12-2010 @ 6:27PM
jb said...I only wish the best for that little child but for you Mrs Duggar put a nickle between you knees and never let it fall again.
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4-12-2010 @ 6:29PM
linkin park rock said...Not trying to be rude but maybe that's a sign saying they should stop at 19
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4-12-2010 @ 7:18PM
Stephanie said...I am SHOCKED she (Mom) is not pregnant again...
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4-12-2010 @ 6:30PM
pearl said...I have been praying for Josie and strength for the Duggars since she came into this world. This baby is so loved and wanted. So many children wether the first or the 19th are brought into this world and never loved. People can say what ever they want about them each of their children are loved, wanted and cared for.
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4-12-2010 @ 6:34PM
scott said...what is wrong with this family????? yes, im sorry about the youngest one not being well, but when is he going to keep it zipped up, and she going to keep her legs closed??????
these poeple just dont have a CLUE as to what all these pregnancies are doing to her body!!!!! frankly, i think both of them should have some mental evaluation. not only is she putting herself in danger, but it also strains the resources of the state. they are just that nuts!
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4-12-2010 @ 6:34PM
Disgusted said...The wake up call will be when their daughters leave home, en masse, to get away from an assembly line lifestyle. I was forced to continually care for my siblings and guess what? I didn't have any until I was in my 30's, and then only 2 at that. I couldn't wait to get the hell out of that house. What you see on that show isn't necessarily all that there is, and I know from experience. A lot of your life is taken from you as a child because you have to be a foster mother of sorts for too many children. It looks romantic, but be one of the girls who would just like to have a normal childhood. It is not normal to care for your siblings to the extreme because daddy can't keep his d!ck in his pants. Sorry, I think these two are cruel and selfish. I guarantee this pig will be pregnant again, and if this baby dies she'll have 2 more to make up for it.
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4-12-2010 @ 6:45PM
reynoldslillian said...I do not think because they have "so many children" had anything to do with this baby being born early. I think the Duggar's should give parenting classes. You never hear of any of their children in trouble with the law or on drugs. No one in their family lives beyond their means. I think there are a whole lot of people who should watch and learn from them...Just saying..
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4-12-2010 @ 6:43PM
APRIL said...I'LL KEEP LITTLE JOSIE IN MY PRAYERS. I'LL KEEP ALL OF YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. CAN'T WAIT TILL SHE IS A.O.K. AND YOU CAN ALL GO BACK TO YOUR OWN HOME.BEST OF LUCK TO ALL. APRIL
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4-12-2010 @ 6:46PM
Cara said...I hope the little one will be all right, however, it's time one of these bunnies gets snipped. Nineteen kids is ridiculous!
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4-12-2010 @ 6:48PM
TB said...WHY DO SOME OF YOU CARE HOW MANY KIDS??? They have no debt, welfare, Michelle is a stay at home mom. Great family values. Some of the older kids have their own business. DON'T WATCH IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
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4-12-2010 @ 7:13PM
Patty said...Why is everybody blaming the wife for having all of these children?? If I remember correctly...the husband has an equal responsibility
as well as the wife. Maybe he should keep his D#^*K in his pants and Michelle would stop getting pregnant!!
If you do the math, her 18th child was only 6-8 months old before #19 was conceived!
So that would mean he was having sex with his wife when she had only delivered her last child at only 7 weeks post-delivery!
Everyone knows that you should medically wait at least 10-12 weeks after the baby is born before you start resuming relations with your spouse.
I guess Mr. Dugger has no patience to wait for his wife to heal, and her body to heal properly before impregnating her yet AGAIN!
And if you watch the show then you know that she cannot refuse him if he wants to have sex with her.....again!
God gave the science to the doctors to help us, and that includes birth control.Maybe he should stop being so selfish and stop thinking about himself and his desires and think about Michelle instead of himself for once!
Give the lady a break!
It's not fair that the daughters are the ones that are basically raising the babies. When's the last time you saw either parent holding or comforting those kids?
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4-12-2010 @ 7:15PM
Patty said...Again, everyone is blaming the wife.....It's not her fault....she has to "submit" to her husband. He should stop being so selfish with his desires. There is no way they can give each child the emotional support they need as individuals to flourish into mature adults. Talk about kids raising kids! This is just ridiculous! Just because they can afford them doesn't mean they should have them!