Joy-Anna Duggar Baby Due Date Rumors Update: Reality Star's Photo Suggests She's More Than 18 Weeks Pregnant
Joy-Anna Duggar recently offered an update about her pregnancy, but her latest baby bump photo only fueled speculations that she conceived before her wedding with Austin Forsyth.
The "Counting On" stars happily announced they are expecting their first child in August — just three months after tying the knot in a romantic church ceremony. On Monday, Joy-Anna posted a new photo on her and Austin's joint Instagram account showing off her growing baby bump.
"Can't wait to meet our baby! I got to feel it kick for the first time a few days ago!!! Soooooo amazing!!! It's already about the size of a bell pepper and weighs around half a pound!!!" the 19-year-old wrote in the caption.
Since Joy-Anna and Austin married in May, it is assumed that their baby is now around 18 weeks. However, based on Joy-Anna's latest picture, many suspect she could be further along into her pregnancy.
"She looks about 24–26 weeks pregnant," Dr. Sean Henry, who never met Joy-Anna personally, told Radar. "People start feeling fetal movement between 19–21 weeks. She looks bigger than 20 weeks."
The speculation about Joy-Anna's early pregnancy began when they moved the date of their wedding. It was initially scheduled October, but the couple later announced that it will be moved in May.
Reports point out that if Joy-Anna did conceive before her wedding, it could harm the Duggar family's conservative image. As devout Christians, the famous clan has always believed in abstaining from any sexual interaction before marriage.
Additionally, physical contact while still in the courting stage is strictly not allowed. The only thing Joy-Anna and Austin can do back then was a side hug. Front hugs, hand-holding or kissing are forbidden as well.
The couple has previously admitted to breaking some of the courting rules. At the time, it was believed to be something harmless, like holding hands or spending time together unsupervised.