Is it healthy for a woman to give birth 16 times...?

Question

like Mrs. Duggar on the Discovery channel did? On that show she's always having another baby...Their website says when they were newlyweds they were on the pill and she had a miscarriage, and apparenty they are producing this huge family to relieve their guilt for that. But it just doesn't seem healthy and I wonder if her body's going to give out, like those pioneer women who didn't live past 40. Isn't there a higher probabability of cancer or other diseases when women give birth to very large families?

Answer 1

She is definately more at risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia from calcium deficiency related to hormones. Pregnancy is hard on your circulatory system and can cause sclerosis in the veins or arteries, creating varicose or "spider veins" which can be a precursor to DVT's or blood clots, which can in turn result in strokes, heart problems, etc. Those are two definate risk factors for any person who has even one pregnancy. She has 2 sets of twins and 17 kids. That is a long time to be pregnant ! A little over 11 yrs being pregnant.

Answer 2

I can't answer you question - but found it interesting to know:
In Russia between 2 women back in the 1700's, gave birth to 69 children within 27 different pregnancies. Including:
16 sets of twins
7 sets of triplets
4 sets of quadruplets

That's a lot of babies :)

Answer 3

I think it's unhealthy. It's dangerous because the body might have gone through a lot of pain and if she does not give her body a rest then she could die the next time she has a baby.

Answer 4

I was thinking about that too! They have so many kids, I can't imagine it being very good for her body. They must have a ton of patience.

Answer 5

Uhh... She has 17 kids but there are a set or more of twins.