Michelle Duggar: Recent Birth ‘Was One Of The Scariest Moments Of My Life’

Michelle Duggar of TLC’s “18 Kids and Counting” says the recent birth of newborn daughter Josie Brooklyn “was one of the scariest moments” of her life.

The Duggar matriarch told NBC’s “Today” show host Meredith Vieira on Thursday that the early birth of their newborn daughter, who weighed just 1 lb., 6 oz. when she was delivered her via c-section last month, was a very difficult time.

“That day was one of the scariest moments of my life, realizing that little Josie was going to be born early. I was just scared to death thinking, she’s only 15 weeks from her due date…will she survive?” Michelle said.

“It is amazing how they can sustain life at such a tiny, tiny age. Arkansas Children’s Hospital has done a wonderful job,” she said during the interview. “Little Josie is seven weeks old today and that’s a lot to celebrate. She’s doing very good. She has already doubled in weight.”

Husband Jim Bob also shared his fears surrounding the day they found out that Michelle would have to give birth early, due to a rare condition called preeclampsia, which causes high blood pressure during pregnancy.

“It was so scary when she had to deliver early. When they came in said they had to deliver in 30 minutes, it was one of the scariest moments of our lives, but we really felt like that’s what we need to do,” he explained. “We’re so thankful that Michelle is doing great and that the baby is doing great and we’re just so blessed.”

The Duggar patriarch said every day is one step closer to taking their newborn home.

“Overall [Josie is] doing very well, and she’s gained a pound,” Jim Bob said. “We look forward to the day when we can bring her home and join the rest of the bunch.”

In September, Michelle and Jim Bob announced they were pregnant with their 19th child. Access Hollywood previously confirmed TLC is planning to change the name of the family’s series to “19 Kids and Counting.”