Another Dangerous Home Birth Has Fans Furious with the Duggars
The Duggar girls have only managed to have one successful homebirth. Jessa Duggar successfully delivered her second son, Henry at home without the need for emergency intervention, but the birth of her first and third children didn’t go as smoothly. Both Joy-Anna and Jill Duggar were transferred to area hospitals after they failed to have successful home births. While many critics have lambasted the family for their attempts to deliver their children at home, fans are downright furious with Jessa’s most recent birthing experience.
Jessa delivered Ivy Jane at home before needing emergency services
When Jessa and her husband, Ben Seewald, first announced the birth of their daughter, they acted like everything went swimmingly. Jessa noted that Ivy was significantly smaller than her two older brothers, and the labor was quick and uncomplicated. She went on to allege she was feeling great after Ivy’s birth, but not everything went as smoothly as she claimed.
According to Us Magazine, the couple was assisted with their home birth by a midwife. Jill Duggar, Jessa’s sister, was also on hand. The delivery went fine, but Jessa began bleeding heavily. With no end to the bleeding in sight, she was transferred to a hospital where an emergency Pitocin drip was administered to help her uterus contract.
The problem Jessa encountered with Ivy’s birth isn’t anything new for the mother of three
Ivy’s birth necessitated an emergency response, but it wasn’t the first time ambulances showed up to one of her deliveries. In fact, 911 was called shortly after Jessa’s first birth for the very same issues.
Spurgeon Elliot was born on November 5, 2015, at home. While Jessa almost changed her birth plan at the last minute, she persisted with a natural birth in her own house, according to People. Joy quickly turned to concern when the new mom began bleeding heavily. 911 was called to whisk Jessa and Spurgeon to a local hospital. She required a blood transfusion.
An OBGYN weighed in on the seriousness of the problem
According to Celebrity Insider, the complication that Jessa experienced is not uncommon, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. The media outlet spoke with an OBGYN about Jessa’s situation. Dr. Peter Weiss noted that postpartum hemorrhage is incredibly dangerous and is considered a medical emergency.
Weiss, who has never treated any of the Duggar ladies, noted that the complication can require blood transfusions or surgery. He also said that it’s more common in women who are on their second or third delivery. The timing of the pregnancies also makes a difference. A woman who has several children in quick succession is more susceptible to the complications. Jessa has had three children in under four years.
