Jill Duggar Dillard’s Hospital Birth Sparks Fan Debate On C-Section

Duggar family announced the arrival of Jill Dillard’s second son on Saturday. Before the news could sink in, fans and critics engaged in a raging debate over Jill’s seemingly long labor and C-section birth.

Jill Duggar gave birth in a hospital after failing to deliver following 40 hours of labor, most likely at home; Jill had said in the past she hoped to have a home birth after delivering Israel through C-section. However, baby Samuel Scott Dillard was born in the hospital, weighing well over 9 lb and measuring 22 in long. While it remains unknown at this time if Jill had an emergency C-section or if the surgery was necessary due to failed labor, many have expressed concerns over Jill Duggar attempting to deliver a child vaginally given the baby’s size and her previous birth experience.

Besides being supporters of large families, the Duggars are also proponents of home births. Jessa Duggar gave birth to her second child Henry on camera, which was later shown on Counting On. Jessa had given birth to her first child Spurgeon at home but had to be rushed to a hospital immediately after the delivery. Jill, a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), has helped women give birth at home but could not do it herself on two occasions. Her choice to deliver a child vaginally the second time was questioned by fans, who wondered why she did not schedule a C-section.

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“Utterly ridiculous that she once again was in labor for too many hours only resulting in a c-section,” opined a fan.

Another comment reads, “Let’s hope next time she schedules a c section. Why go through 40 hours of labor if it ends up in a c section in the end.”

A C-section does not preclude subsequent vaginal birth for many women. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists dispels that myth stating, “It was once thought that if a woman had one cesarean delivery, all of her babies should be born that way. Today, we know that many women can undergo a trial of labor after a cesarean delivery (TOLAC), and many will be able to give birth through the vagina—called a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC).”

The science behind the subject notwithstanding, many wondered why Jill Duggar did not schedule a C-section given Samuel’s size. “If she has a history of big babies that she obviously can’t deliver, she needs to schedule a c-section. Whomever her midwife is, should NOT have let a previous section labor for 40 hours. This definitely increases a risk of uterine rupture,” another fan said.

Uterine rupture is a rare condition with risk of maternal mortality. A large baby is one of the contributing factors for a C-section, but a doctor’s choice is often case-based.

The first photo of baby Samuel seen by fans had some wondering if the trial of labor had taken a toll on him. The image shared by Derick Dillard showed Samuel hooked to support systems in the hospital.

Jessa and Jill Duggar have said they would like to have large families like their parents but a C-section puts the brakes on woman’s ability to have multiple children. Every C-section and subsequent attempt of failed labor also reduces the chances of giving birth naturally. For now, it can be said that she is unlikely to have as many kids as her parents and her chances of delivering at home stand further diminished. Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard are expected to would return to mission work in Central American soon after the delivery.

[Featured Image by Duggar Family/Facebook]