Jill Dillard–nee Jill Duggar–endured about 70 hours of labor that ended with baby Israel David Dillard being born via an unplanned C-section. The 19 Kids and Counting star, who is studying to become a midwife, had planned on a home delivery, with mom Michelle Duggar and mother-in-law Cathy Dillard present to lend moral support.
Despite the C-section, Derick and Jill Dillard feel quite confident that the 19 Kids and Counting won’t have to limit the number of future children they have. Some hospitals do advise against vaginal births following C-sections, but Jill feels optimistic just the same.
“The doctor told me he has no doubt I’ll be able to have a vaginal delivery the next time,” she said. “We told the doctor, ‘Stitch me up really well.”
Derick and Jill Dillard say they feel blessed with the delivery of their baby boy, even though things didn’t go exactly as planned.
EXCLUSIVE: "I was scared, but I was praying" – Jill Dillard on her delivery http://t.co/MjppeNnwM3 #19Kids @TLC pic.twitter.com/YVgXl8v8CA
— People magazine (@people) April 15, 2015
“She had labored for so long. There’s no shame in that, there’s no shame in not progressing, there’s no shame in getting a C-section,” Derick said.
“It was confirmation for us that God was leading us,” Jill said. “We were grateful for God showing us what to do in time.”
A special episode of 19 Kids and Counting will air on May 5th, and will feature the birth of Israel David Dillard. Jill Dillard’s labor and delivery will be highlighted during the show.
Will you be tuning in to learn more about what Jill Duggar Dillard experienced when bringing Baby Dilly–what she and Derick referred to their unborn baby as prior to his birth–into their world?