Duggar family welcomes number 19

— An Arkansas couple featured on the reality TV show “18 Kids and Counting” now has 19.

Cable network TLC said Friday that 43-year-old Michelle Duggar gave birth more than three months early to a 1-pound, 6-ounce daughter Thursday night during an emergency cesarean section. She had been due March 18.

The network says the Duggars named their 19th child and ninth daughter Josie Brooklyn.

TLC says the baby is in stable condition in the neonatal intensive care unit for extended care at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Michelle Duggar had been in the hospital recovering from a gallstone before the baby was born, the network said.

TLC airs the show starring Duggar, her 44-year-old husband, Jim Bob, and their brood. The network said the Duggars were not available for interviews.

“The most important thing right now is for Mom and baby Josie to get as much rest as possible,” the statement said. “The family is grateful for all the prayers and well wishes during their recovery.”

Shannon Martin, a spokeswoman for TLC, said the show’s name will eventually change to reflect the newest addition to the family.

The Duggars’ first grandchild was born in October, when their oldest son, Josh, and his wife, Anna, also had a daughter, Mackynzie Renee Duggar.

The Duggars’ 19 children all have names starting with the letter J and include two sets of twins. Along with Josie Brooklyn, the family includes: Josh, 21; Jana and John-David, 19; Jill, 18; Jessa, 17; Jinger, 16; Joseph, 14; Josiah, 13; Joy-Anna, 12; Jeremiah and Jedidiah, 10; Jason, 9; James, 8; Justin, 7; Jackson, 5; Johannah, 4; Jennifer, 2; and Jordyn-Grace, 11 months.

The Duggars live in a 7,000-square-foot house in northwest Arkansas, where they manage commercial real estate property. The couple has said they’ll keep welcoming more children as long as Michelle is able to have them.

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