19 Kids & Counting's Jessa Duggar on pregnancy cravings, adoption plans and why she is planning a home birth despite sister Jill's traumatic 70-HOUR labour
Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald's upcoming baby may be delivered at home with the help of a midwife, despite her sister Jill Duggar's recent difficulties in childbirth.
'Every birth story is unique,' 22-year-old Jessa insisted to People in her first interview since her pregnancy announcement.
The 19 Kids & Counting star and her 19-year-old husband are, however, keeping in mind that births do not always go as planned.
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'Unique' birth: Jessa Duggar and husband Ben Seewald have said they hope to have a home birth following their first pregnancy - despite sister Jill's tough birth a few weeks ago
'We think we want to go with a midwife and plan for a home birth,' Jessa insisted.
'But I want to just be prepared that not everything may go as planned and try not to get too worried about it!'
Before giving birth to her first child, a son named Israel, on April 6, 23-year-old Jill had to endure 70 hours of difficult labour.
Her doctor eventually had to perform an emergency Cesarean section, although Jill and husband Derick Dillard had initially planned a home birth.
Jill said the doctor stitched her up really well, however, and she hopes to have many more pregnancies and deliver future children vaginally.
Even with this recent scare, Jessa and Ben have been constantly cheerful about the pregnancy.
So excited: In a video posted to TLC.com shortly after their initial announcement, Jessa and Ben expressed their excitement
Just hours after announcing that they were expecting their first child together, the couple had a special video message for their fans.
In the cute clip posted on TLC.com, the
'We are excited to announce that we are expecting a baby. Can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl,' Jessa announced with excitement.
She then turned to her husband of less than seven months and asks: 'What do you think it is?'
Ben, 19, responded: 'It could be both, who knows...' teasing that the couple may even be expecting twins.
Jessa then revealed that she thinks it might be a boy before she assured viewers that all is well.
Cravings: Although Jessa has said she's avoiding cravings so far, the cute clip started with the couple making smoothies together in their kitchen
'We're twelve weeks along so far and the pregnancy's going great'
The reality star also said she was looking forward to the second trimester and 'no more morning sickness'
The couple first announced the news via People revealing 'We're expecting! We are so excited. The due date is November first, our wedding anniversary.'
A baby on the way: Jessa and Ben announced the news via People on Tuesday
'We are looking forward to being parents,' Ben said in the interview.
'I am feeling pretty good,' added Jessa. 'I thought I'd crave pickles and lemons because my mother did, but I couldn't stand them,' Jessa admitted of her
Excited for the arrival: The TLC stars also shared this image that had written on a white onesie, 'Coming soon, 11.01.2015'
In fact, Jessa joked that she might be expecting more than one baby, considering how much food she wanted to eat.
'I'm hoping I'm having triplets because I've been eating so much!' the mother-to-be explained.
No matter how many babies are coming, Jessa has had plenty of help: '[Ben]'s so sweet, waiting on me hand and foot.'
A big hint: The announcement does not come as too much of a surprise to fans as in late March an image of the two was uploaded to Facebook that suggested they could be expecting - Ben was holding his wife's stomach in a pose typically struck by couples who are about to share they're planning for a little one
The announcement does not come as too much of a surprise to fans - in late March an image of the two was uploaded to Facebook that suggested they could be expecting.
Ben was holding his wife's stomach in a pose typically struck by couples who are about to share the good news that they're planning for a little one.
The picture, in which the newlyweds were smiling and making the shape of a heart with their hands on Jessa's stomach, sparked rumours online of an impending pregnancy.
Making babies! They shared their passion online and the lovebirds in a romantic kiss after they married. They saved the first kiss for their wedding day and only held hands when they got engaged
But the two did not make any kind of statement at the time.
In her interview, the TLC star explained that she found out she was with child when she took a pregnancy test one Sunday morning before church.
'I said, "Hey Ben, guess what? Yeah, you're a dad." We couldn't believe it,' said the daughter of Jim Bob, 49, and Michelle Duggar, 48.
Jessa's baby will be the sixth grandchild for the Duggars. She is the third child to marry, and every marriage has resulted in a baby the first year of marriage. The youngest of Jim Bob and Michelle's children, Josie, seen here in Jim Bob's lap, is younger than their eldest granddaughter
She added, 'We are so excited. We have started talking baby names. It is one of those things that is so special, picking a name for a baby.'
Ben works for Jim Bob Duggar doing odd jobs, and Jessa was always chief organizer for her younger siblings, organizing their home school and packing for trips.
No doubt reality TV paychecks and assorted book and speaking fees will help the young couple afford the new addition.
Hiding her tummy: On Sunday the Duggar daughter shared this image to Instagram with the caption, 'Headed to Big Sandy, TX to meet up with my family!'
The Seewalds have been living in a house on the Duggar property, owned by Jim Bob and Michelle.
Previously Josh and Anna lived there and welcomed their two older children into the world via home births.
Mackynzie was born in the master bedroom, and Michael was born while Anna was on the toilet.
Josh shared this photo of his pregnant wife and three children at the airport a few days ago. His eldest child is older than his youngest sister
Being pregnant has not changed Jessa and Ben's plans to adopt.
'Our hearts haven't changed on adoption,' the reality star said.
The agency the couple has contacted 'requires prospective parents to be married for two years before adopting.'
Just like an old married couple: The TLC standouts talked about getting close with the birds; Jessa said she didn't like having their claws in her hair. THey also went to Paris on their honeymoon
'We are still making plans,' Jessa confirmed.
For now the two are just soaking it all in.
'We pray every night that God helps us be good parents. We are getting advice from other parents,' Ben told the magazine.
'I think having this first year together to share our lives, just the two of us, has been special. We are definitely excited to be parents,' his wife told the magazine.
Something in the water! Soon after the announcement was made, Anna Duggar (middle) shared an image of Jessa (right) showing off her bump in a Twitter photo. Also in the snap is Jill (far left), who was still with child at the time the photograph was taken
Anna, left, got to be pregnant with Jill, right, for this her fourth pregnancy. The pair posed for this photo earlier this year, before Jessa's pregnancy was public
Soon after the initial pregnancy announcement was made, sister-in-law Anna Duggar shared an image of Jessa showing off her bump in a Twitter photo.
Also in the snap was Jill, who was still with child at the time the photograph was taken.
'Congrats @JessaSeewald @BenSeewald on your pregnancy! It was great to be pregnant together @jillmdillard,' she wrote in the caption.
Their wedding made for good ratings: The Arkansas residents tied the knot on November 1, 2014 in front of 1,000 people and the nuptials were aired on TLC
Anna, who is married to eldest Duggar Josh, is pregnant with the couple's fourth child, a baby girl due in July.
The couple married in 2008 after a chaste courtship and already have three children: Mackynzie, Michael and Marcus.
The whole Duggar family is famously pro-life and shuns birth control.
Flashback! For her first pregnancy, Anna and her mother-in-law Michelle were pregnant at the same time
Mum Michelle stopped taking birth control after she miscarried early in her marriage.
She then went off birth control and soon welcomed fraternal twins - and never used birth control again.
Now Michelle and all her children proclaim that God does their family planning and they share their pro-life beliefs on social media and the show.
Their show 19 Kids & Counting airs Tuesdays (9 p.m. ET) on TLC.
The honeymoon! On Tuesday evening during an episode of 19 Kids & Counting, Jessa and Ben were seen visiting Venice, Italy where they kiss in Piazza San Marco as pigeons land on their heads
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