The official Duggar family discussion thread!

[chitownmelli]

I believe that they did not use birth control because as the Duggar story goes, they lost their first pregnancy ever because Michelle was on bc and in their younger age, they were not aware that with birth control, a pregnancy could occur, but that the pill could result in a loss as of the pregnancy. They felt VERY guilty about this, and since then have chosen not to try to prevent pregnancy again by such means. I do think that they are so strong in their beliefs that they would not have taken bc or anything this time around and that the timing was just right. She is healthy now, less stress with Josie being in much better shape, I think it all just came together at the right time.

[Smee]

People prevent pregnancies all the time without using birth control.

[Dengineer]

For one thing, Michelle is due in April, so she got pregnant in July. The littlest girl will be 2 in December. So it was only 17 or 18 months between the birth of the last child and this pregnancy. A woman's fertility decreases with age. Add into that they have been busier with this baby's health issues than with the previous children, and it's totally possible. (BTW--when we were TTC our 3rd child, we didn't use any form of birth control for 11 months and didn't get pregnant, and I was in my mid 30s at the time.)

I think Michelle Duggar is great for exercising the rights that the feminists fought so hard for--the right to do what she wants with her own body. Don't hate because someone makes different choices than you would.

[Macaela25]

I know what I heard..if it wasn't JB, then it was Michelle. Once video of it comes up (I searched) I'll find it.

James didn't translate the Bible, folks. He commissioned it's revision. Major difference, and most of their kids are old enough to understand that difference. I'm not generally a hair-splitter, but I'm careful about what I present to my children as facts.

It's like telling kids that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag or that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree.

[clippyclippy]

I know what I heard..if it wasn't JB, then it was Michelle. Once video of it comes up (I searched) I'll find it.

James didn't translate the Bible, folks. He commissioned it's revision. Major difference, and most of their kids are old enough to understand that difference. I'm not generally a hair-splitter, but I'm careful about what I present to my children as facts.

It's like telling kids that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag or that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree.

I would guess that the children already knew that King James merely commissioned it. I'm sure it's been discussed before. Probably in the moment, as they viewed the castle, he reminded them that this was the location where that happened.

He may have worded it more casually and inadvertently misspoke, but that's different than giving them false information out of ignorance.

When you hear something misspoken like that, ask yourself if you really think that someone does not know the real facts? Or is it possible that they just didn't word a statement carefully?

It's sort of like calling out Obama for saying there are 57 states. Does anyone think he doesn't know how many states this country has? I'm no Obama fan, but that was ridiculous to jump on him for that...

[clippyclippy]

My question right now is that on the episode where they announced #20 was coming, they said that #19 Josie is 2 (or turning 2 soon). And I know everything was touch and go with her for a long time, so it's understandable that they were *focused* on her health. BUT... for a couple who have said time and again that they don't use any birth control ("in God's hands".... blah blah blah), I find it hard to believe that 2 years passed with NO form of BC... AND no pregnancy occurred. Especially when they're averaging a kid about every 12-18 months. I wouldn't be surprised if there was BC, or some other "family planning method" going on. I just don't find this "natural lapse" believable.

.

2 thoughts:
First, even for someone who is not using bc, they still can be smart about things, and greatly reduce the chance of pregnancy.... timing is everything (usually ) God gave us the ability to have some basic control over that area when necessary, even without bc.

Second, leaving it in God's hands assumes that He knows best. Therefore, to be surprised that she didn't get PG soon after the little one who needed so much care and attention is to forget that His timing is perfect. If she didn't get PG for 2 years, it would be because HE knows the families needs and does not bless them beyond what they can handle. Leaving the family planning to God does not mean He will bombard you with babies you can't take care of.

[Smee]

It's hard to nit-pick "religious truth," anyway. Religious beliefs are so personal and so open to interpretation. One person's truth is another's total bullcrap.

Totally thinking out loud here, mostly rhetorical question, but I wonder sometimes how people who oppose any sort of reproductive intervention and/or believe in literally leaving it in God's hands feel about things like Viagra which would (it seems) be an artificial means to... enhance the conditions necessary? (wording carefully here) to achieve pregnancy. In other words, it doesn't seem like it's totally leaving it in God's hands if a man needs assistance in performing his husbandly duties. I only thought about it because of the mention of decreased fertility in women as they age. Aging men face reproductive issues as well. I wonder if the literal "no reproductive intervention" people eschew ED drugs as well, or the testosterone injections men often need as theirs decreases with age.

And I kind of wonder how they find the time! It was hard for me sometimes with two toddlers in the house to find the time to poop or shower in peace!

And now I am way too invested in the private lives of people I don't even care about, ha.

[Beka27]

Good thoughts everyone. As I said in my post, she may have been using BC, or some other "method". So the method would be natural family planning to avoid pregnancy. I would be interested to hear about how they time their pregnancies, but I suspect this might be a topic that is too personal for discussion. It's also possible, again as I said, that they were so preoccupied with poor Josie's health struggles, that intimacy was the last thing on their minds. And I did think about the decrease in fertility as a woman ages. This whole way of living is so foreign to me, that it does interest me. We have one child together by choice (he's 8) and I have a 14 yo step-child, but there is a possibility there might be another someday. I have sole possession of my reproductive rights, along with input from my husband, and I am proud of it!

I love these types of discussions! It's always fascinating to hear others' thoughts!

[chitownmelli]

I've enjoyed your input on this topic Beka.

As far as I know, only from what I have read in their books and watched on their program, there isn't really planning. I guess it kinda happens when it happens and they are happy every time and the whole family really gets very excited at every announcement of a new Duggar.

[ELLE-TN]

Second, leaving it in God's hands assumes that He knows best. Therefore, to be surprised that she didn't get PG soon after the little one who needed so much care and attention is to forget that His timing is perfect. If she didn't get PG for 2 years, it would be because HE knows the families needs and does not bless them beyond what they can handle. Leaving the family planning to God does not mean He will bombard you with babies you can't take care of.

Well said