Jessa Duggar and husband Ben Seewald have revealed the name they have given their newborn son.
The former reality star, who announced that her fifth child had been born and shared the details of his birth story in a YouTube video, left her fans with a cliffhanger on Saturday.
‘Birth Story: Part 2 is now live on our YT channel! Kids meet baby and find out gender. We decide on a name and bring baby home!’ she wrote next to a photo of her introducing the baby to family at the hospital.
The Counting On star used the second video documenting her experience to reveal the little one’s name, which is George Augustine Seewald.
Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald have announced the name of their fifth child. The baby was born December 19 in Arkansas
‘I think it suits him well,’ the seasoned mom, 31, told the camera. She revealed it was one of the top ‘contenders’ for the baby boy.
When Ben, 28, told his mother Guinn, who was looking after the four older kids while Jessa was in the hospital, the doting grandma responded, ‘I was just about to read the children about St. George and the Dragon.’
‘We were gonna read about courage and bravery and responsibility, too. Because remember it’s his responsibility to protect the town?’
And although there is a St. Augustine, the little one’s middle name was inspired by the beach town in Florida rather than the fifth century theologian.
‘I think it sounds like a strong name,’ Jessa noted in a voiceover on the video. ‘I think the name fits.’
Jessica shared details of her labor in Part One of her birth story on YouTube, revealing that she went into labor December 18 but the little one didn’t arrive until 21 hours later.
As her contractions seemed to be growing closer together a check revealed the baby was not in a good position for birth, so with help of her midwife, Jessa got into ‘a bunch of different laboring positions to help rotate the baby.’
Jessa’s mom, Michelle, was by her side during this difficult time.
The baby’s name is George Augustine Seewald. ‘I think it sounds like a strong name,’ Jessa noted in a voiceover on the YouTube video documenting the baby’s birth. ‘I think the name fits’
The baby boy, was born in the early morning hours of December 19 after only three pushes
Jessica was in labor for 21 hours with George. Part of that included working with a midwife and her mom, Michelle, for several painful hours to get the baby in the birth position. Jessa said she was ‘not mentally prepared’ for the pain
The newborn weighed in at a whopping nine pounds, 14 ounces
Unfortunately, that meant the epidural which had been providing pain relief had to be discontinued to the laboring mother could change her position.
Jessa admitted she was ‘not mentally prepared’ for the return of the pain during the three to four hours it took to get the fetus into position.
Once that was accomplished she was able to have the pain relief readministered about 2:30 in the morning on December 19 and about 15 minutes later her water broke.
Things went quite quickly, and after only three pushes the little one arrived and was placed in his weeping mother’s arms.
Young George weighed in at nine pounds, 14 ounces, Jessa’s largest baby yet.
The couple’s four older children were able to meet their new baby brother in the hospital and were ecstatic when he arrived home.
He was especially popular with Fern, two, who was excited to be a big sister.
‘Fern thinks baby George is HER BABY,’ Jessa wrote onscreen.
Jessa and Ben announced they were expecting Ben in September, after revealing they had suffered a miscarriage in December 2022. They referred to George throughout the pregnancy as their ‘rainbow baby’
George was greeted by his excited older siblings; Spurgeon, seven, Henry, six, Ivy, four and Fern, two
Fern was especially excited to be a big sister. ‘I’ve never seen a child more in love with a baby. Absolutely melts my heart!’ Jessica said of the new relationship between the two
‘Going to have to practice sharing. … I’ve never seen a child more in love with a baby. Absolutely melts my heart! She’s so proud of her new [role] as big sister.’
Jessa and Ben announced they were expecting Ben in September, after revealing they had suffered a miscarriage in December 2022. They referred to George throughout the pregnancy as their ‘rainbow baby,’ a comforting term many parents use after losing a child through miscarriage or stillbirth.
Spurgeon, seven, Henry, six, and Ivy, four, also welcomed their new brother with glee.
‘Just when you think your heart can’t get any more full as a parent, you see your bigger kids loving on the newborn baby and your heart just swells with emotion. It’s the sweetest thing to witness,’ she said.