Former reality television personality Jessa Duggar and her husband, Ben Seewald, are officially expanding their family once again. Duggar, 33, and Seewald, 31, confirmed that they are expecting their seventh child together during a joint appearance on the "Unplanned Podcast" hosted by Matt and Abby Howard. According to Us Weekly, the full podcast episode aired on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, following a promotional preview clip released on Tuesday, October 27 (though an alternative report from Entertainment Now listed an October 18 date for the appearance).

During the broadcast, the former 19 Kids and Counting cast member informed the hosts that she is currently six weeks into her pregnancy. Seewald noted during the recording that the podcast co-hosts were the very first people outside of their immediate family to learn of the upcoming arrival, prompting a surprised reaction in the studio, as reported by E! Online.

A Golf Course Text and a Surprise Brunch Prayer

Rather than staging an elaborate reveal at home, Duggar opted for a direct digital approach when breaking the news to her husband. Speaking on the podcast, she recounted sending Seewald a photograph of the positive pregnancy test via text message while he was out on a golf course with her brother, Jed Duggar. Because of the outing, the couple did not actually speak to one another about the test results until approximately six hours later.

Seewald recalled sitting in a golf cart when he glanced down at his phone and saw the image, reacting with immediate surprise. Shortly after the round of golf concluded, Seewald joined Duggar's father, Jim Bob Duggar, and several of her brothers for brunch. Seewald decided to break the news to his in-laws on the spot by volunteering to lead the table in prayer before the meal. While blessing the food, he thanked the Lord for the new baby on the way, catching the Duggar family members completely off guard.

Planned Addition Versus Past Anxiety

Throughout the conversation with the Howards, the couple emphasized that their seventh pregnancy was a mutual, planned decision. Duggar readily took credit for initiating the conversation about having another baby, explaining that she frequently experiences "baby fever" even while caring for a newborn. Seewald expressed full support for his wife's wishes, stating that since she is the one physically carrying the child, he did not want to stand in the way of her desire to grow their family.

This deliberate planning stood in sharp contrast to the couple's experience with their sixth child, Edward "Eddie" Owen, which both Duggar and Seewald described as unexpected. Seewald candidly admitted on the podcast that learning about the sixth pregnancy triggered an immediate wave of anxiety regarding household finances and his ability to divide his time between his ministry duties and a larger brood. He recalled asking what they were going to do and how they were going to make it work—a reaction that sensed by Duggar, caused her to cry.

Feeling remorseful over ruining what could have been a joyful moment, Seewald sought counsel from a pastor friend after that initial sixth pregnancy reveal. According to Extra, Duggar noted that the experience ultimately prompted the pair to re-evaluate their daily schedules and work hours to protect their weekends. She praised Seewald as an "intentional dad" who routinely takes one or two of their children out on weekly breakfast dates to ensure individualized attention.

The Growing Seewald Household

Duggar and Seewald, who married in November 2014, are already parents to six children: sons Spurgeon Elliot, 10, Henry Wilberforce, 9, George Augustine, 2, and 15-month-old Eddie, alongside daughters Ivy Jane, 7, and Fern Elliana, 5. Media outlets differ slightly on the exact timeline of their youngest son's arrival; People and Us Weekly report that Eddie was born in July 2025, while a syndicated report via Yahoo lists his birth in August 2025, the same month Duggar shared his birth vlog on her YouTube channel, according to The News International.

As for her current physical well-being in the first trimester, Duggar reported feeling slightly queasy but noted that she is managing well and generally does not experience morning sickness or vomiting during her pregnancies. Looking ahead, the couple indicated they do not subscribe to a predetermined maximum number of children, preferring to evaluate their family planning one pregnancy at a time with Duggar's physical health remaining Seewald's primary concern.

While the expansion of large reality TV families frequently draws public scrutiny, Duggar previously addressed online criticism in a May 2025 YouTube video prior to Eddie's birth. She noted at the time that while she has seen rude and unnecessary remarks from commenters on the internet, she has never experienced anyone approaching her in person to make negative statements about the size of her family.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the baby due, and has the couple announced the baby's sex?

Neither an exact due date nor the sex of the baby has been disclosed. Because Duggar confirmed she was at the six-week mark during the late October 2026 podcast release, the birth is projected for mid-2027.

How did the couple's six children react to the pregnancy news?

While Seewald detailed how he surprised Duggar's father and brothers during a post-golf brunch prayer, the couple did not share specific details during the podcast episode regarding how or if their six children have been told the news yet.

Will Jessa Duggar share further pregnancy updates on social media?

Although Duggar has not announced a formal schedule for future updates, she has historically documented major family milestones, birth vlogs, and personal reflections directly through her official YouTube channel and social media accounts.

Sources