The struggle was definitely real for Jill Dillard (nee Duggar).
The 19 Kids and Counting star and first-time mom welcomed a son on April 6, 2015 — two weeks after his planned March 24, 2015 due date!
[ Related: Baby Israel Broke Hospital Records! ]
Jill wasn’t concerned initially, telling herself that new moms are often late.
However, serious complications began to arise that required medical action.
At 41 weeks and 5 days, Jill’s water broke. She was also diagnosed with Group B strep, a bacterial infection that can pass to newborns during childbirth.
Jill spent 20 hours in labor, and when traces of meconium were spotted, the 23-year-old decided to go to the hospital. Traces of meconium — baby waste — can indicate fetal distress.
Two more days of labor ensued, and at the 70 hour mark, the baby was in a traverse breech position. Jill and her husband Derick Dillard made the choice to undergo a Cesarian section, and baby Israel David Dillard was born just before midnight.
[ Related: Josiah Duggar’s Serious Tax Troubles! ]
Mom revealed:
“His birth didn’t go as expected, but having him here ├óΓé¼ΓÇ£ it’s worth all of it. I wouldn’t do anything differently.”
Israel weighed in at a whopping 9 lb. 10 oz., so Jill was DEFINITELY a trooper.
Of course, Israel’s birth was documented by the reality TV cameras, and viewers can watch the baby drama unfold on May 5, 2015.
[Image via Instagram.]