Sweet surprise: Kendra Duggar reveals she and her mom were pregnant at the same time!
Kendra Duggar and Joseph Duggar welcomed their first child, a son, on June 8 but there was a lot that the people missed out as the couple did not appear on '19 and Counting' while they were pregnant. Luckily, the two-hour special by TLC titled 'Counting On's Baby & Birth Special' saw Kendra and Joseph coming forward and talking about their pregnancy journey. However, one of the surprising confessions in the episode was Kendra revealing that her mother, Christina Caldwell, 39 was pregnant at the same time.
In the episode, Kendra mentions how she and her mom took breathing lessons together and that became a way for them to bond. We found that my mom was expecting about a month ago," she said. " I think this has definitely been really interesting because we've been able to share a lot of things that we didn't get to share before so I feel like we've become even more like friends. And I guess our relationship has gone more to a different level, I guess."
At the same time, the show revealed that there was a point when Kendra was afraid of breathing. Normally, it could cause problems while giving birth but luckily for her the entire family was beside her to support her. "I tend to want to stop breathing and just kind of hold my breath when I'm in a lot of pain," she said. "And that's something that even during my childhood I've had to work on when I would fall down — to remember to breathe and not hold my breath because that causes more problems."
"If she was by herself, I think that would happen and she would pass out," Kendra's sister, Lauren Caldwell, said in the episode. "But with all of us there, I know I could help her not pass out." The couple welcomed a healthy baby and named him Garrett David Duggar. Garrett was even welcomed to the house with special gifts organized by Joseph's older sister, Jessa.
The gifts included special treats made by his younger siblings and a welcome home banner. The news about Kendra and Joseph welcoming their first child was announced on the family website along with an adorable photo of the trio. "We are so thrilled to announce the arrival of our newest grandbaby, Garrett David Duggar. Kendra and the baby are healthy and happy! Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes!" wrote the proud grandparents, Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar.
TLC told E! that Kendra delivered without any complications and that, "Mom and baby are both doing great." While Joseph and Kendra added, "No matter how many times we’ve experienced the joy of babies born in our families, there’s nothing comparable to the joy in our hearts today! Children truly are a gift from God. We are so thankful for his safe arrival and this new journey as parents."