Behind the Scenes: Josie's Return to the Hospital

In "19 Kids and Counting" Duggars at the Hospital, we saw Michelle Duggar recount her baby's return to the hospital just two days after she was brought home in early April. But what really happened in those dark morning hours of April 8th? Here's a behind the scenes look....
Michelle calls it one of the darkest moments of her life. "I was terrified. I was thinking, 'My baby is going to die. I am losing her now."' During her early morning feeding, Josie Duggar refused to eat and took a turn for the worst when her vitals dropped to dangerous levels. Michelle and Jill dialed 911, while Jessa and Jinger prayed desperately over their baby sister. In the ambulance, Michelle held Josie skin-to-skin to raise her body temperature and desperately asked God to save her infant's life. At the hospital, doctors tried frantically tried to stabilize her, while Michelle continued to pray. When Josie was finally in a stable condition, the Duggars began to breathe easier.
Have you ever experienced a medical emergency like Josie's? How did you find comfort and strength?

Duggars at the Hospital: Josie returns to the NICU

This evening on "19 Kids and Counting" Duggars at the Hospital....

We checked in with Josh and Anna, back in Springdale, Arkansas. Mackynzie is seven months old and is rolling over and even starting to say "Mama." John-David has started his own towing company, which has been a blessing for Josh's car lot.

With Josie home from the hospital, Jim Bob took some of the kids back to their home in Northwest Arkansas to do some spring cleaning. They discovered a Duggar-sized rope swing packed away, and the kids (and Jim Bob!) had a blast swinging from one of the massive trees in their yard.

While they were gone, Josie was rushed back to the hospital after developing a blockage in her intestine. During her 2AM feeding, Michelle noticed that Josie was not eating and was experiencing constipation. Jinger and Jessa awoke to hear Jill talking to a 911 dispatcher. "We ran in the room, and we just started praying," said Jinger. Josie's heart rate had increased, and her breathing had dropped dangerously low.

"I really was terrified because I didn't know what was going on," reported Michelle Duggar. "This was the reason why we wanted to stay in Little Rock, because we know you can never trust a preemie." Having Josie home was wonderful, but Michelle is relieved that she is receiving the help she needs at the hospital.

Doctors are in the process of working out her "plumbing" issues. When she gains more weight, Josie will need laparoscopic surgery on her digestive tract.

Current Josie Update From Michelle Duggar

 And now for a Josie Update! Josie Duggar is still in the NICU at Arkansas Children's Hospital, but she is doing great! Michelle Duggar told People Magazine that Josie "reached the 6 pound mark" late last week, and the Duggar family celebrated with a Six Pounder Party. Josie has been eating Michelle's breast milk, with added fortifiers, and her health has been positive. Her doctors have been able to get many of her digestive problems in order, although Josie still needs an enema "here and there," as Michelle puts it. 
"She’s getting a little double chin," Michelle excitedly told TLC. "It’s just too cute to see her little face filing out instead of being long and narrow and skinny."  

The NICU doctors have been performing frequent tests, in hopes that Josie will be able to go home permanently very soon. To see Josie's return to the hospital, tune into TLC at 9/8PM Central on Tuesday for "19 Kids and Counting" Duggars at the Hospital.

2 New Episodes Covering Josie's Homecoming and Return to the Hospital

Next week, TLC will feature two new episodes of "19 Kids and Counting," one featuring Josie Duggar's homecoming and the other focusing on her health setback and return to the hospital. Josie Comes Home, a 60-minute special, airs at 8/7PM Central on Sunday, May 9th (Mother's Day).
TLC has recently announced that on Tuesday May 11th, Duggars at the Hospital will premiere at 9/8PM Central. After Jim Bob takes some of the kids back to Springdale to prepare their house for the family to return, they must rush back to Little Rock when Josie is readmitted to Arkansas Children's Hospital.