Jessa Duggar's Five Kids: Everything You Need to Know About Spurgeon, Henry, Ivy, Fern, and George
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- UPDATED December 21, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Jessa (Duggar) Seewald and her husband, Ben Seewald, are creating lasting memories with their five children: Spurgeon, Henry, Ivy, Fern, and George. The couple, who rose to fame on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting and its spinoff, Counting On, tied the knot on November 1, 2014. Before their wedding, Jessa had already been dreaming of motherhood. “We both want to have a big family,” she shared with PEOPLE that same year, expressing excitement about their future together, filled with children. They didn’t have to wait long to start.
After their wedding, they welcomed their first child, Spurgeon, in November 2015. Their second son, Henry, arrived in February 2017, followed by daughter Ivy in May 2019. After a miscarriage in 2020, Jessa and Ben were blessed with another daughter, Fern, in July 2021. In September 2023, they joyfully announced they were expecting baby No. 5 after another miscarriage in 2022, and in December 2023, they shared that their fifth child, a baby boy, had arrived.
Spurgeon Elliot Seewald, 9
Jessa and Ben’s firstborn, Spurgeon Elliot, arrived on November 5, 2015, just days after their first wedding anniversary. Born at home in Arkansas after a nearly 48-hour delivery, Spurgeon’s birth was intense and challenging for Jessa. “Labor is hard,” she said, recalling the 10 hours of contractions. Shortly after birth, Jessa was rushed to the hospital for a blood transfusion, but she soon returned home and began her journey into motherhood. “I can’t believe he’s really ours,” she said, calling Spurgeon “a miracle.” The couple carefully chose his name to reflect their joy.
Henry Wilberforce Seewald, 7
Just 15 months later, Jessa and Ben welcomed their second son, Henry Wilberforce, on February 6, 2017. His birth, also at home, was far smoother for Jessa. “It was calm and relaxed,” she recalled. Labor was so quick that Jessa’s mom, Michelle Duggar, and sister, Jana, almost missed it. “They came at the very end,” Jessa explained, with her mom walking in just as she was pushing.
Despite growing up in a large family, Jessa admitted adjusting to two children was still challenging. “Some days it’s very, very simple… Other days, it’s a little more chaotic,” she said in a 2017 Counting On episode.
Ivy Jane Seewald, 5
On May 26, 2019, Jessa and Ben welcomed their third child and first daughter, Ivy Jane. “She feels so tiny compared to her siblings!” they shared. Ivy’s name was chosen even before her birth. “We just liked the way Ivy Jane sounded together,” Ben said. They explained that her middle name, Jane, was inspired by Lady Jane Grey, a queen who had a lasting influence on them.
Fern Elliana Seewald, 3
In February 2021, after a miscarriage the previous year, Jessa and Ben revealed they were expecting again. On July 19, Fern Elliana arrived. Unlike her older siblings, who were born at home, Fern was born in a hospital. Jessa explained the decision in a YouTube video, saying that although she was nervous about the change, it felt like the right option given her history of postpartum hemorrhaging. While she missed the comfort of home, she looked forward to the possibility of an epidural.
George Augustine Seewald, 1
In September 2023, Jessa shared the joyful news that baby No. 5 was on the way after another miscarriage in 2022. She posted updates throughout her pregnancy, expressing love for her “rainbow baby.” On December 19, 2023, George Augustine Seewald was born. Jessa later shared a video of her children meeting their baby brother for the first time in the hospital, a heartwarming moment for the growing family.
3 Surprising Things 'Not' at Jessa Duggar's Wedding
Jessa Duggar (now Seewald) has always been known for her independent spirit, and she and her new husband, Ben Seewald, made sure their wedding day reflected that. The couple, who wrote their own vows, decided to do things on their own terms, surprising their 1,000+ guests in a few unexpected ways. While most couples save their first kiss for the altar, Jessa and Ben had a different plan. They chose to keep their very first kiss private, even though the crowd was eagerly anticipating the moment. “They wanted their very first kiss ever to be in private,” Pastor Mike Schadt shared, explaining how important this was to the couple. He then turned to the crowd, explaining their decision, and asked Jessa’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, to share a kiss with everyone instead.
