Counting On "Five Pregnancies and Counting"
- Jana sets up for a garden party that she has planned for the ladies. The weather is questionable, so the brothers put together a wooden arbor indoors and wrap lights around it. After the women arrive, they enjoy snacks in the living room before heading outside to make flower arrangements. Grandma Mary Duggar is present, as this gathering takes place just weeks before she passes away.
- “A lot of times when we do parties, it’s the whole family, which is fun, but it’s also really special to do something like this where it’s just the girls,” says Jessa.
- Jessa predicts that she is about two weeks away from delivering. She says that she has felt better this pregnancy than during her past two. She credits her healthy food choices and the fact that she is making sure to take her vitamins.
- In addition to Jessa, four other Duggars are expecting. Kendra is due November 6, Joy is due November 9, Lauren is due November 17, and Anna is due November 25. “It is kind of hard for us now to keep track of who’s pregnant and who’s not, who’s due date’s first, and what the lineup is,” says Michelle. She suggests getting a picture of all five expectant moms.
- Jessa and Ben take the boys to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to see the sites of the engagement scavenger hunt that Ben put together for Jessa almost five years ago. They stop at a bakery to grab a quick snack before hopping on the train. Later, they stop by the glass chapel where Ben proposed. “Being back here five years later, in the same location, it’s just crazy how fast time flies,” says Jessa.
- The boys are both asleep in the double stroller, so the Seewalds enjoy a romantic moment, as they relive the moment when Ben got down on one knee. “You’re a wonderful wife and mother,” Ben tells Jessa. “You’re the best,” Jessa replies. “I’m blessed to be married to you.”
- Josiah and Lauren visit the doctor for an ultrasound. They are relieved to hear the baby’s heartbeat.
- Lauren was about six weeks along when she miscarried Asa. “It’s very emotional…because every time I go to the doctor, I just get that scared feeling like something’s not right,” says Lauren. Her first month was difficult, as she experienced low progesterone levels. The expectant mom says that Josiah has helped her to be at peace by reminding her that this baby is God’s, not theirs, and that she needs to trust God. Lauren has bloodwork done to determine the baby’s gender.
- Jessa picks up Kendra and 11-month-old Garrett for a play date at the park. Later, the pregnant girls get together at the big house to swap maternity clothes. “It’s pretty expensive to buy maternity clothes,” says Lauren. “It almost feels like they purposely mark it up higher because they know we have to buy different sizes so often.”
- Some of the clothing items are not maternity, so Jana adds ruching (a piece of elastic on the sides) to accentuate the girls’ bumps. “[Jana] is the Jana of all trades, instead of the Jack of all trade” says Anna.
- “I like being pregnant, but I enjoy not having to suck in all the time,” says Joy. “I can actually be proud of my belly.”
- Lauren’s mom and sister Lily host a gender reveal party for Lauren and Josiah. All the Duggars come over and munch on food in the Swansons’ beautiful yard. There are a bunch of black balloons filled with white confetti and one filled with either pink or blue confetti.
- As the couple starts popping balloons to find the one with the gender announcement, one of the balloons gets loose and floats into the sky. When all the balloons have been popped, they assume that the one that got away was the one with the colored confetti, and they start to worry that they won’t ever find out the gender. But Lily comes out of the house with one more balloon. Everyone thinks it’s ironic that she was able to prank Josiah, who is usually the one playing the pranks.
- The confetti is pink--it’s a girl! “I’m going to wake up early tomorrow and go shopping and buy the cutest little outfit!” exclaims Lana Swanson, Lauren’s mom.
- If you guessed that Lauren and Josiah are going with an alphabet theme, you were right. Their miscarried baby was Asa, and this one’s name will be Bella Milagro, meaning “beautiful miracle.” The Swansons also have a name theme. Lauren and her mom and sisters have names that start with “l,” while Lauren’s dad and brothers have names that start with “d.”
- On May 26, Jessa’s water breaks two weeks before her due date. Most of the Duggars are in Tennessee for Carlin Bates’ wedding, and Jessa’s nurse midwife is gone. Labor starts off slow, so Jill comes over and suggests taking a couple tablespoons of castor oil to get things going. Jessa’s contractions start to pick up. Michelle and Jana are one their way home.
I enjoyed the episode although it was a bit disjointed. I loved seeing more of Anna! I also enjoy JimBob and Michelle. My comments which are not intended to be critical, are that I personally would have waited longer to have a reveal party (and wouldn't use balloons). Lauren and Josiah seem to do everything so early which I think contributes to potential heartache? They told the family about Asa at something like 5 weeks. And this reveal party was prior to the 18 week ultrasound. Also I just find it funny that Ben and Jessa were so surprised and unprepared to be in labor. She was full term after all.
ReplyDeleteBut wasn't Jessa two weeks early? After being late both times, I'd be surprised too!
Delete8:55 AM: Jessa was 10 days earlier; she was due on June 6th and the baby came on May 26th.
DeleteI think Lauren and Josiah were scared they will lose this baby too, so they wanted to go through all steps to have those memories, so they found out the gender from blood tests, after hearing the heartbeat. But I agree that announcing to the family at 5 weeks the first time was a little early, by many standards.
DeleteI gave birth to my first 2 kids around the 40 weeks mark. I was really surprised when I gave birth at 37 week with my 3rd !
DeleteLauren and Josiah need patience. Let God work his wonders and let the baby grow some! An ultra sound will eventually come where you can see the gender. No need to rush it!
Delete"Two weeks early" just means two weeks before her due date. Full term is three weeks before "due date" to two weeks after the date. There really isn't early or late in that range. "Due date" is an estimate only.
DeleteAny time after 37-38 weeks is considered full term. You should be on stand-by, prepared for labor to start, at any time by that point. But, I agree, after Jessa delivering late for her first two, it must've been a surprise to go earlier.
DeleteShe did not say 2 weeks before her due date; she said 2 weeks before they expected. Which means 10-11 days before her due date plus 4 days of her anticipated delay as it was for her with her boys (both boys came in 4 days after their due dates).
DeleteThey told their family earlier then 5 weeks; 5 weeks was when she lost the baby. 5 weeks is too early to be making such a big announcement.
Delete10:05, who cares if they had a blood test done to see what the baby was? She had to do it anyways so why not go ahead and find out the baby’s gender. There really is no need to wait.
DeleteI remember telling my MIL when I was only 5 weeks along with my second child. It wasn’t really through choice though, she was staying with us at the time & I had severe morning sickness & she guessed tbf. So since she asked if I could be pregnant I just told her. It seemed an awfully long pregnancy for her though & toward the end when I was 5 days overdue she kept ringing ever hour, she drove herself & me absolutely mad. Btw any time between 38-42 weeks is classed as term & all expectant mums should be prepared for birth within that time.
DeleteAnon 10.05. Iv just watched this episode this evening in the UK & I enjoyed it so much more than last weeks. Loved the bit with Jessa, Ben & their boys. I had forgot how beautiful the chapel was where Ben proposed, & brought back such nice memories as a viewer. As for Josiah & Lauren, I think they did things quickly with this pregnancy as they were so afraid they may loose it that they wanted to make as many memories as they could just in case, & the fact they had so little time first time round as Lauren lost the baby so early. This isn’t as odd as you may think, & Iv seen it quite a bit whereby expectant parents that are having a rainbow baby, cram as much in as they can as fast as they can. Ultrasounds, finding out gender via blood tests & villus sampling as this can be done between 11-14 weeks & also checks for genetic abnormalities. It’s sad & sometimes relatives feel its better not to be so keen to tell everyone about the baby when they have had a previous loss, however it is usually for that very reason that they do tell people, so everyone can celebrate just incase things don’t work out. There is no right & wrong way for these parents to behave, & all do what’s right for them. I also found the segments with joy very poignant, knowing what was ahead. However the saddest part of the episode for me was right at the end where they showed a clip of next weeks show & the death of grandma Mary. Iv always been soft hearted but I was in tears just watching the sadness of the Duggar siblings at the funeral & thought if I’m like this after a 2 minute clip I will be a total mess watching the entire episode next Monday. This family have had their fair share of misery this year, & I hope 2020 brings them more happiness.
DeleteJoy: You don't have to suck in your belly. We all know you've had a baby, and a small belly bump will now be part of your life, just like one is for me. The world just has to get used to that whether it wants to or not.
ReplyDeleteShe probably knows she doesn't have to suck in her belly, she probably doesn't like it hanging out. And sucking in your belly is part of good posture.
DeleteOr she could do sit-ups! Get those abs back in shape in no time!
DeleteWell imagine being in her situation, with her family constantly asking if she’s pregnant. I would imagine they start asking again as soon as a Duggar baby turns 6 months old. That would get very taxing on you mentally, thinking that they’re asking because they think you look pregnant. Honestly the whole Duggar family needs to lay off with that, and let couples announce when they’re ready to. They have to know that even if one of the daughters was expecting, they’re not just going to tell them because they ask.
DeleteDo the Duggar’s have shares in castor oil ? They all take Part in this extremely dangerous practice. It will be interesting to see if Lauren took it when she gave birth as I have thought all along her pregnancy thee as t she will follow to the word any advice given by her doctor. Even more so I wonder if Abby will partake in this dangerous practice, I assume being a nurse (all be it not a registered nurse), she will be well aware that it is a practice not encouraged in nursing schools. I wish the Duggar’s would stop this, it’s not safe & many of their followers are so obsessed with them & believe everything they do is right, that they will also be taking this to bring on contractions. Every time I watch one of the young women birth at home & use castor oil, I worry for them. I also worry that one day, should something go very badly wrong, they won’t make it to the hospital on time & their unqualified midwives they have deliver them will not have a clue what to do. I hope nothing bad ever does happen to any of these mothers or their babies, however I feel so far it’s been more by good luck than good management that there hasn’t been a fatality during or immediately post delivery.
ReplyDeleteI think Jill is the one pushing castor oil & since her family view her as knowledgeable on labor & delivery, they follow her guidance. This is another reason to use a certified nurse midwife or an obstetrician. This practice is dangerous and I’m surprised it’s still being used by women.
DeleteMy thoughts exactly ... castor oil is very dangerous and adding to that the fact that they do homebirths, I'm worried for their babies . It could have serious implications
DeleteHey now @8:50. Jill is obviously very knowledgeable in midwifery. She knew exactly when Jesse was feeling “pushy” while assisting in the delivery of Ivy Jane!
DeleteWhen I was 8 days overdue with my daughter, I got castor oil at the check-up in the hospital for to use at home the same night. The next check-up was scheduled at 8am the next day, we were back at 4am... That's only three years ago.
DeleteTotally agree about the castor oil, but I thought Abby actually was an RN?
DeleteAnon 8.50. No disrespect to Jill & I know a great many followers on this blog are totally oblivious to any wrong doing this family do, however I would not trust Jill to deliver my beloved cat’s kittens, never mind be in charge of a human delivery. Even her terminology isn’t technical. This family need to stop playing Russian roulette with the lives of these young women & that of their babies. Frankly I don’t care how many responses I get from people claiming Jill is knowledgable, & that hospital births are bad. Jill is not knowledgeable enough to deliver a baby. I work with maternity health care assistants who train for several months to learn how to take blood, BP, do baby checks pre & post delivery, assist in theatre at C Sections, & generally take a huge load away from qualified midwives so they can concentrate on delivering babies. These health care assistants are excellent at what they do & my unit could not function without them, however I would not for an instant assume any one of them would have the skill or knowledge to deliver a baby (& neither would they think so themselves). These HCAs are more skilled than Jill in many ways & a great deal have a lot of formal education, but they do not have a midwifery degree. They have watched many births & helped at deliveries. Jill & the woman she learnt under are questionable in their practices & I have read much about Vanessa Giron, who had her licence revoked because of malpractice. Jill May have spent many hours training & learning basic female anatomy (my HCAs also do this), however she is not in my opinion a proper midwife. It takes between 3-4.5 years to become a midwife in my country depending on the mode of entry. Every single registered midwife has a Bachelors Degree & usually much more training besides. I do not think anyone who has had no formal education should ever be left in charge of delivering a baby, & in the UK to do so unless your a registered midwife or Doctor is illegal.
DeleteYou are being very condescending to the fans. I personally don't know much about castor oil but I have heard from a friend that it is given out by professionals. I realize some people have an exaggerated faith in government to license everything and that people can't learn anything and do anything without a license. (I am not saying that their aren't things that should be licensed). However, a midwife should typically know what their limitations are would go to a hospital when needed. I obviously don't know the Duggars or Jill but I find it hard to believe that she or her sisters are not going to go to a doctor if there are problems. They are not perfect and they may have made mistakes but hospitals and doctors make mistakes too. Women give birth to children all the time without a doctor delivering the baby and it works out just fine. You seem to believe that only your way of doing things is OK and are not open minded. I personally am skeptical until I research myself when the media and government suddenly tells us that something that has been done or used for years without a problem is suddenly dangerous. I am not saying you are wrong about castor oil but I will not blindly follow the Duggars or the "internet experts".
Delete2:59, the difference in your case is that a medical professional prescribed it to you. It sounds like you had your baby in a hospital which would be much safer than a home birth after using it. I am surprised your HCP prescribed it though.
Delete3:29- Abbie is an LPN, not RN.
DeleteFuzzy, Kathy from Oregon here...you are so right about proper training, education and licensing. This castor oil thing the Duggar's propagating is dangerous, even more dangerous if delivering at home. If you ask any OB/GYN here in the states they will immediately set you straight. Jill might make a great Doula and support person, she really should not advise or suggest ingestion of anything to help start labor....the truth is Jessa's labor and birth probably would have had the same time frame, castor oil is not even thought to be effective. I would love to see a qualified OB sit down with the Duggar women and review their deliveries and advise them going forward. Jinger and Kendra have the right idea (Kendra dis use castor oil though). Jessa tow after birth emergencies out of three births, hospital next time?
Delete@12:11 Setting minimum requirements for licensing protects people. It ensures that the person has completed the necessary training, keeps current, and can be held accountable for their actions. Licensing is very useful in any trade and professions. A person just does not get a license and then does not do anything after that. He/she is normally required to complete a certain amount of training per year to stay current and follow professional guidelines.
DeleteAgreed that you should not follow blindly anyone but this also implies that people known their own limitations. There is a well-known social construct that confidence in one's opinion on subjects not in your field of expertise is inversely related to your education and intelligence. In other words, to be crude, people can be too stupid to know what they do not know.
Yes, women have given birth in the years before doctors/qualified and trained midwifes were involved. But ALSO, more women died in child birth due to the lack of quality medical care.
Fuzzyferet is a qualified and experienced health care provider in a country (like mine) which sets high standards for their health care professionals. She knows what she is saying. In my country, a licensed midwife first to have earned a B. Sc. in Nursing (4 years) plus pass the licensing exams (very difficult) and then go on to earn a Master's Degree (additional at least 2 years). Acceptance into nursing programs are highly competitive; the student would have to passed with high marks Senior high schools courses in Physics, Chemistry, biology and math. Think equivalent to AP level courses
to fuzzyferet:
Deleteeach state in the us has different rules and regulations. in fact you have to have licenses for the state(s) you practice in because of the differences in regulations. what may or may not be required to know or be licensed for may not be necessary in the state over. we do not have uhc and costs can be outrageous. for example, a dr could charge jessa more than kendra because jessa would be considered more 'high risk'. not saying the duggars are in this situation but, a lot of women use people like jill because they cant afford the insurance
(no disrespect intended towards jill!)
Anon@12.11. I am very sorry if you feel I’m being condescending to the blog readers, that is certainly not my intention. However if my Words of advice make even one of the readers think twice about using castor oil (especially during a home birth attended by only a CPM), then I will be happy. I have serious concerns about this practice & I know from previous posts many readers here advocate home births above all else. I have spent my entire working career devoted to helping women achieve the birth of their choice, & where safe to do so I am a huge advocate of home births, but only on women who have had a previous pregnancy & no complications & are attended by a qualified midwife with a degree. I am not an “internet expert” as you put it, I have over 30+ years training behind me with 3 different degrees & multiple ongoing training. I am now proud to call myself Doctor after achieving my PhD in midwifery a few years ago & I am director of midwifery services in a large UK hospital, accountable for training & retention of staff & yes I still like to deliver babies myself (it’s my greatest joy). I hope never to see a tragedy unfold due to lack of care some of these girls experience & it is for that reason, & that reason alone that I am so outspoken on this matter, as well as some of them having questionable home births. I hope if Jessa has another pregnancy she will go to hospital for her delivery, as she has had two haemorrhages after delivery now & would be classed as high risk (she would have been after the first tbh). Again I apologise if you feel I am being condescending, It is not my intention.
DeleteTime 1:11AM Wed 12/4/19
ReplyDeleteGreat recap
Castor oil again? The studies on its use for jumpstarting labor are mixed, at best. I am surprised that the Seewald's didn't have a backup plan for another midwife, unless they were simply assuming Jill would take over. Somehow these Duggar home deliveries come across as fiascos from start to finish. They should be thankful there are competent medical professionals and hospitals they can turn to when things go awry.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they don't use raspberry leaf tea. That can get contractions going.
DeleteSafety aside, it seems to work for them when it comes to jumpstarting contractions.
DeleteOk Jessa! Three times you have excessively bled after delivery. That’s enough. Next time go to a hospital and have a doctor attending the birth. You may run out of luck. Think of your children!!
DeleteThey want quick labor, so castor oil gives this result. Though look how Kendra was literally shaking in pain from fast labor; labor is a natural process, it has to go as it goes.
DeleteI wonder what kind of insurance they have. It might be they don't want to go to a hospital because it costs more?
Delete10:08, or the contractions are just following their normal path and the castor oil has no effect on them, they don’t take it until after their contractions have actually started, so it’s kind of hard to see if it actually has any effect. And beyond that, tripping down stairs can jumpstart your labor, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to do so. Castor oil is not a safe option, and therefore should not be used, simple as that. There are many safe alternatives that are still natural, eg, raspberry lead tea, going on a walk, spending one on one time with your husband��, etc. No need to endanger your baby.
DeleteRaspberry lead tea sounds a lot more dangerous than castor oil. 😄
Delete6:10 I was thinking the same thing. Surely that’s a typo.
Delete6:10, yes that was a typo🙄 should say raspberry leaf tea
DeleteI knew it was a typo, it was just humorously ironic. 😄
DeleteWell, that's interesting... Jana adds elastic to the pregnant ladies' tops so it accentuates their baby bumps. They can't wear pants because it outlines a woman's shape, but this is perfectly ok with them. Don't they realize that there are guys out there who get turned on by the sight of a pregnant woman? This just further illustrates some of the confusing and archaic ideas this family has about women being responsible for men's lustful thoughts.
ReplyDelete100% agreed!!
DeleteBoring, more of the same, next week looks promising though.I just wish we didn't have to have a death in the family to change things up.Not sure if I'm ready for this next episode, to see our Duggar family in so much pain is going to hurt😢
ReplyDeleteAgree, the highlights are few and far between. This show has become an extremely predictable snooze fest.
Delete@6:34 Especially after getting a glimpse of Grandma Mary in this episode. She appeared frail with a bruise on her cheek.
DeleteJill tells Jessa to take a laxative because they want to spend things up? Really? You should ONLY take this laxative under the direction of your doctor/ qualified midwife.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Jill needs to stop "playing doctor". These young women keep rolling the dice and one of these days it's going cause a great deal of unintended harm.
DeleteJill is a midwife she got her license to be a midwife.
DeleteShe might have called the doctor and the don't show everything.
@10:20 Qualified midwife is someone with a B.Sc in Nursing plus the additional years of training in midwifery. Jill does NOT have those credentials.
DeleteThey waste so much time and money on those gender reveals. Are they going to do this for every last Duggar grandkid? Like, 100 parties? What happened to the doctor telling you that you had a boy or a girl, and then you go phone everyone to tell them the news? That system worked fine.
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoy getting together with family to share the news in person in a fun way, what's wrong with that? That system works fine too.
DeleteI agree I wouldn't have a gender reveal for every child. I think the first child or two is fine. I don't think they will do it for all of their kids.
Delete@8:26 Obviously you haven't been following national news or you'd know about a few recent gender reveals that went horribly wrong - an explosion and a plane crash come to mind immediately. People are doing ridiculous and dangerous things all for the sake of having some unnecessarily large reveal.
DeleteIt's a family time, and if you like your family that's enjoyable to do a gender reveal party.
DeleteIt's just so they have something to film, it's all for the cameras.
Delete9:53, obviously those are exceptions. The great majority of gender reveals are not hazardous to life and limb.
DeleteI'm very uncomfortable with this segment of Joy bragging about being pregnant. We all know what happened later on. Why would she even WANT to have that aired?
ReplyDeleteIt was a happy time for her. You don't erase that because of what happened.
DeleteShe wants Annabelle to be remembered. There is nothing wrong with that.
DeleteI agree! It is insensitive of TLC to air this, knowing full well Joy sadly miscarried. Inexcusable!
DeleteBecause Joy is coping very well, I love that they aired this piece. It hurts my heart but its also wonderfully comforting and supportive for others to see you can move through these tough times.
DeleteEvery life is important and even though this baby didn’t make it it is still an important part of her life. I’m sure she looks back and is sad to see the footage but also thankful she had her baby for as long as she did. There are women that can’t even get pregnant.
Delete@10:37 Ratings.
Delete11:19, it’s not “inexcusable” when Joy is the one who wants the segments to be aired. She already said that she doesn’t want people to pretend that Annabelle didn’t exist, or to forget about the time that they had with her.
DeleteIn reference to Jana's adding ruching to the maternity skirts---should the word be "accommodate" not "accentuate".
ReplyDeleteAccentuate fits too.
DeleteGood question. It does seem odd that the elastic was added to accentuate the pregnant bellies.
DeleteI think they said that they were trying to do that to accentuate that they were pregnant rather than fat. I'm old school, I guess. I definitely didn't want to accentuate how big my belly was getting. I just felt conspicuous, and showing exactly how big it was would have been worse. Like Jessa's striped dress in this episode. Looser lines can be more flattering when you're that far along (not a tent, but not skintight either).
DeleteThe size of the garment is what accommodates the belly. The ruching accentuates it.
DeleteI think they meant accentuate. All modesty is out the window when pregnant.
DeleteElastic stops you looking Fat and also allows for the garment to grow with you saving buying multiple items. There is nothing immodest about a pregnant belly. It's ignorant people who think pregnant women should never be seen that's the issue, old victorian notion and they are all very modest pregnant women. Modest but not frumpy!
DeleteIt was a nice show. I love how they are showing many different story lines in the show this season.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad everytime I see Joy. Loosing Asa at 5 weeks is bad for Lauren but it is common to have a chemical pregnancy at this gestation.
ReplyDeleteHaving a stillborn is so much worse.
I don't like comparing the two. They are both sad and both moms grieve.
DeleteTheoretically a term "stillborn" applies to an otherwise viable baby, 25 weeks and more. Meaning that if the baby was born alive it could live. At 20 weeks a baby would not be able to live, so the term for it is "miscarriage".
Delete11:32, actually there have been multiple babies who have survived at younger than 25 weeks, and as Joy had to actually deliver her baby, the term “stillborn” fits better than miscarriage.
DeleteAnon 11.32. Technically yes a baby lost at 20 weeks is classed as a miscarriage, however, a 20 week old foetus is so far developed that it is more similar to a still birth than a miscarriage. Some babies born at 22 weeks gestation do actually survive, we had one recently in my hospital, a very special little miracle whose mum was prepared for a sad outcome when her waters broke at 22 weeks, however 5.5 months later she took home her little miracle man. I think Joy’s baby died in utero due to other medical issues & she didn’t just have a miscarriage, whereby waters break or contractions start early. Terribly tragic for anyone to go through & it will take Joy a long time to heal both physically & mentally.
DeleteLosing a child at any stage whether just conceived or 90 years old is very difficult no matter what. I don’t think one person can set the “standard” of pain and grief for the entire human race.
DeleteThey need to stop with the castor oil. It is a laxative and can cause lower GI distress and cramping that can actually make labor and nausea much worse.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood why they use it. This is the 21st Century, not the 19th. Those "tried and true" remedies used in the past have been found to cause a LOT of problems.
DeleteI find it ironic that Jessa has just stated that her pregnancy has gone better because she has been eating good and then stops by a bakery for a snack.
ReplyDeleteAlso if the gender reveal balloon had gotten away, why did they believe they could never find out the gender? The doctor's office knows the gender.
I'm also curious why Abbie isn't included in the 5 pregnant girls?
Finally, this family is so blessed to have Jana. She is always planning something fun like a garden party or sewing. What a gifted young lady she is.
It's not that ironic. She chose a strawberry dipped in chocolate, probably the healthiest choice there. They didn't mean that they would literally never find out the gender, because that's impossible. Abbie wasn't included because she is two months behind the others and either didn't know she was pregnant yet or hadn't announced it yet. It appears that she lets the others know when they do their photo shoot, which is after Ivy is born.
DeleteWhen it's Janas turn, I hope all her sisters help her out as much as she's helped them.
DeleteI think the “well I guess we’ll never know” comment was a joke. Of course they knew they could and would find out no matter how the gender reveal turned out.
DeleteI love it how Lauren and Josiah decided to go with the alphabet theme! This way if she ever miscarry, this baby will be always counted!So next will be C baby, Chloe or Cole!
ReplyDeleteUmmmm....
DeleteOne con is that there are so many good names starting like with L or M, and they most probably won't get to them! :(
DeleteI just watched this latest show, #9, and have to give TLC and the Counting On family members credit for working together to provide such enjoyable, 10, hour long-episodes this season! It has become my favorite show on tv and I will eagerly look forward to season 11. Many thanks for a great season 10 to all the Duggars, crew and TLC!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of naming your kids according to a certain letter of the alphabet, but to each his own.
ReplyDeleteYep! I appreciate that we can each choose. One plus to the alphabet is that a person can immediately know the birth order. That could be helpful down the line if they have a big family.
DeleteShe's going to make them line up in alphabetical order someday.
DeleteHelpful for what? When does anyone’s birth order matter?
DeleteHelpful how? "OK, everyone A-M line up over here. N-Z, over here."
DeleteNot helpful to the parents, obviously. Helpful to people outside the family. We know several families with larger numbers of kids, and it's taken me several years to get their names straight. Alphabetical order would solve that issue for me.
DeleteWhy don't you just make more of an effort to learn their names?
DeleteUm, I'm not insisting that anyone name their kids in alphabetical order for my benefit. 😄 I said originally that helping people remember who is who in a large family is a plus to naming them alphabetically. It's a little benefit, not the motive.
DeleteEnjoyed the show last night. Loved the garden party. The scenes with Jessa, Ben,Spurgeon and Henry on the train were priceless. Lauren's guess the gender party was cute. All in all a great episode with most of the family appearing. We even get to see Jill. God Bless all.
ReplyDeleteJoan,Marion and Marilyn
Jill’s medically unsound advice to her sister is a good example of why real professionals with proper education and experience should be consulted.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. CPMs (which is what Jill was) do not undergo the same training as CNMs, and give all midwives a bad name.
DeleteIt seems Jill's midwife knowledge is as outdated as her Doppler machine.
Delete@11:25 That's why CPM's aren't allowed to practice in many states and in many hospitals. I don't understand why anyone would get that low level of training when you can't even use it. "A little learning is a dangerous thing." Emphasis on little.
DeleteJill should have gone further into education for midwifery
DeleteSo Lauren didn't disregard Joy's feelings with the name Bella. They announced her name back at the gender reveal, months before Joy lost her baby.
ReplyDeleteSo Joy is the copycat?
DeleteThis is a perfect example of people criticizing and getting ahead of themselves when they don’t know the whole story and we never will know the whole story because we just watch a tiny snippet of their lives. We’re not around them 24-7
DeleteAgreed, 12:11. Drives me crazy to see the rush to judgement without all the facts.
Delete11:29, nobody has to be a copycat. They could have come up with the names independently.
DeleteAnnabell and bella seems alike but does not end the same and dont sound much alike the names seems alike but are not.i am a annabell and my niece who is just a month younger than me is named bella,so anna is not a copycat and we does not know the full story
DeleteI know of two cousins named Denise. Two sisters each liked the name and named their daughters Denise. No one really cares, and it's none of anyone else's business.
DeleteI have two nieces who named their daughters Isabel and Isabella. The oldest goes by Izzie and the youngest, Bella. Different last names also.
DeleteSo sad i missed it because no television provider.
ReplyDeleteYou can pay to have it on iTunes or google play. That is what I do. It is $1.99 in standard definition.
DeleteYeah i don't do iTunes and I would prefer free but thanks though!
DeleteI really enjoyed this episode. Lots going on. I enjoyed seeing Anna too.
ReplyDeleteIt was sad to see Grandma Mary like that. You could tell her health had gone down hill.
ReplyDeleteShe had 2 strokes at the end of 2018, they said :(.
DeleteI loved the garden party! Looks like it was a fun gathering
ReplyDeleteHow sad that Joy feels such low self esteem that she sucks her stomach in and cannot feel proud of her body God gave her unless she is pregnant. Also it seems a bit strange imho they accentuate their bodies when pregnant but dress so dowdy when they are not.
ReplyDeleteSo if we have good self-esteem we should walk around with our bellies hanging out? 🤣 So flattering. It's better for your back to stand up straight with your stomach muscles engaged. Otherwise known as good posture.
DeleteAccentuating your stomach and dressing in a dowdy way are two different things.
Delete@8:20- I obviously can't speak for Joy, but I have spent the better part of my 65 years "battling the bulge", so to speak. I have never, nor will I ever, resign myself to thinking that God gave me my body, so I should just make peace with it. I know that regular exercise, portion control, and limiting sugar and processed foods makes all the difference. These things help me have more energy, stay healthier, and keep the weight off. I've had my share of setbacks and in no way condone body-shaming, but I know I'd be miserable if I gave up at this point in my life and resigned myself to being overweight.
DeleteWe enjoyed how Josiah and Lauren revealed the gender of their baby. We also enjoyed seeing Anna and kids on the show. We are very sorry that Grandma Mary's health was declining. Jessa seems to have difficult labors. It was good to see Jill on the show. Wish Jill and the kids would be on the show more often. So sad to see the finale is coming soon. Natasha B.
ReplyDeleteNatasha,
DeleteHow do you know next week is the finale?! Did I miss the memo?! I am so sad if that is the case.
I agree, Natasha. I enjoy this show and look forward to Tuesday’s. It would be nice to have Counting On to watch in January and February. Sadly, TLC will replace it with a show that is too inappropriate to watch.
DeleteAnon 5.46. I hope TLC replace counting on with something nice & family orientated like Sweet Home Sextuplets, a nice programme with family oriented people & lovely kids. I also like The Seven Little Johnston’s, another show suitable for family entertainment. I don’t watch the rubbish like Teen Mom as it gives out a bad example & there is enough teen pregnancy in my country without me watching a show like that which can make the young girls seem almost inspirational, something I do not think should be advocated, as being a young single mother is extremely hard work & difficult for all concerned. Let’s hope we get something nice to watch rather than rubbish. The little couple & Little people Big World are also suitable entertainment (in my mind anyway), however both these shows have not long since been on tv so I doubt it will be either of them. You may be right & they will replace counting on with something inappropriate as it’s a while since anything like that was on tv.
DeleteFuzzyferet, I’ve actually seen a few episodes of teen mom and think they keep things pretty real with the struggles that the young moms go through, while also showing that it is possible to make it through. I don’t think any teenage girl is going to watch it and decide that they want to purposefully get pregnant, but it could also show a girl who finds herself pregnant in her late teens that she can make it through the experience. Just a thought.
DeleteAnon 9.49. I wish I could agree about young girls not purposefully wanting to get pregnant. We have a big problem with teen pregnancy in the UK, often because young girls see it as a way of life & they get a flat to live in paid for by government assistance & the fathers are often nowhere to be seen. Yes afterward, these young girls realise how hard life is, but it’s too late then as they have already got 18 years of responsibility ahead of them. It’s often very sad & my heart goes out to these young women. On the rare occasion you get a young girl with determination to do well its great to see them continuing with their education & giving their child a good life. I know the last episode I watched of teen mom one of the girls was on to her third pregnancy & it really didn’t give a glowing impression. Unfortunately like we used to be at least 18 months to 2 years behind with the Duggar’s until recently, I get the feeling we may be quite far behind with teen mom & some of the other shows too. Which is pretty typical for the UK. It’s great now we get counting on just a week behind yourselves, it means we don’t know months in advance what is happening before we see it. I remember Jill’s wedding was 18 months later on my tv & she had already had Israel before the wedding episode was shown.
DeleteIt would be even better if they use alphabet order and made all names end in "ella/ell". Like: Bella, Cinderella, Daniella, Erabella, Fionella, Gisella,... you name it :).
ReplyDeleteHow would this make their kids feel like individuals? Also, what about boys names?
Delete8:58- I think the "ella" comment was meant as sarcasm.
DeleteCinderella?? Erabella?? What terrible names!
DeleteYour individuality is about a LOT more than your name. Besides, I think the OP was being silly.
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