Jessa Duggar and husband Ben Seewald have revealed the name they gave their newborn son.
The former reality star, who announced the birth of her fifth child and shared the details of his birth story in a YouTube video, left her fans on a cliffhanger on Saturday.
'Birth story: part 2 is now live on our YT channel! Children meet baby and discover gender. We'll pick a name and bring the baby home!' she wrote alongside 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 on December 19 in Arkansas
“I think it suits him well,” the veteran mom, 31, told the camera. She revealed that it was one of the top contenders for the baby boy.
When Ben, 28, told his mum Guinn, who looked after the four older children while Jessa was in hospital, the doting grandma replied: 'I was about to read to the kids about St. George and the Dragon.'
“We also started reading about courage and bravery and responsibility. Because remember, it's his responsibility to protect the city?'
And while there is a St. Augustine, the little one's middle name is inspired by the Florida seaside town, not 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 birth in part one of her birth story on YouTube, revealing that she went into labor on December 18, but the little one didn't arrive until 21 hours later.
When her contractions seemed to be getting closer together, a check revealed that the baby was not in a good position for birth, so with the help of her midwife, Jessa got into 'a number of different labor positions to help the baby rotate. '
Jessa's mother, 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 just three pushes
Jessica was in labor with George for 21 hours. Part of that involved working with a midwife and her mother, Michelle, for several agonizing hours to get the baby into the birthing position. Jessa said she was “mentally unprepared” for the pain
The newborn weighed a whopping nine pounds, 14 ounces
Unfortunately, this meant that the epidural, which had provided pain relief, had to be stopped so that the laboring mother could change position.
Jessa admitted that she was “mentally unprepared” for the return of pain for the three to four hours it took to move the fetus into position.
Once that was accomplished, she was able to have the pain relief administered again around 2:30 a.m. on December 19 and her water broke about 15 minutes later.
It happened quite quickly and after just three pushes the little one arrived and was placed in the arms of his crying mother.
Young George weighed nine pounds, 14 ounces, Jessa's largest baby yet.
The couple's four older children were able to meet their new brother at the hospital and were thrilled when he came home.
He was especially popular with Fern, two, who was excited to become a big sister.
“Fern thinks baby George is HER BABY,” Jessa wrote on the screen.
Jessa and Ben announced they were expecting Ben in September, after revealing they suffered a miscarriage in December 2022. They called George their “rainbow baby” during the pregnancy.
George was greeted by his excited older siblings; Spurgeon, seven, Henry, six, Ivy, four and Fern, two
Fern was especially excited to become a big sister. 'I've never seen a child so in love with a baby. My heart is absolutely melting!' Jessica said about the new relationship between the two
'I'll have to practice sharing. … I've never seen a child so in love with a baby. My heart absolutely melts! She is so proud of her new one [role] like a big sister.'
Jessa and Ben announced they were expecting Ben in September, after revealing they suffered a miscarriage in December 2022. They called George their “rainbow baby” during pregnancy, a comforting term many parents use after losing a child to miscarriage or stillbirth. .
Spurgeon, seven, Henry, six, and Ivy, four, also welcomed their new brother with joy.
“Just when you think your heart as a parent couldn't get any fuller, you watch your older kids doting on the newborn and your heart swells with emotion. It's the most beautiful thing to see,” she said.