Jinger Duggar Shares Her Experience with Postpartum Depression
Jinger Duggar has shared her experience with postpartum depression following the birth of her second daughter, Evangeline, in 2020.
“I remember after having Evie, I faced postpartum depression,” Duggar, 32, mentioned on the Wednesday, September 2 episode of her podcast with her husband Jeremy Vuolo, while recalling their 4-year-old daughter. “It hit me later than I expected, and even though I was still nursing her, I felt really down. I struggled to figure out what was up and down, couldn’t clean the house, and found it hard to get out of bed.”
Besides Evangeline, Duggar and Vuolo, 38, are also parents to their daughter Felicity, 6, and son Finnegan “Finn,” who is 17 months old.
During her battle with PPD, the Counting On alum found comfort in her circle of friends.
“I am grateful to God for friends who noticed what was happening. They encouraged me to seek help,” she shared. “That support was incredibly beneficial, but I faced many unexpected challenges and seasons afterward.”
Jinger, one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children, discussed with her sister Joy-Anna Duggar on Wednesday’s episode how she has learned to navigate through difficult times.
“What has stretched me the most in this season is learning to let go of my expectations and ideations about how I thought life would unfold and being at peace with whatever God permits,” she explained. “It is so easy to map out everything in our minds, and when unexpected things happen, it makes you question, ‘God, do I really trust you, or was I just enjoying a sweet season without appreciating it?’ So, I think that feeling comes and goes.”
For Jinger, she’s especially thankful that God “has supported [her] through” and provided insight on how to face her struggles.
“Everything that He allows has a purpose and is working something within me,” the TLC alum emphasized. “I sometimes resist it and feel upset about it, but looking at the bigger picture, I realize, ‘He’s loving and kind to provide these experiences, and I should accept them.’ Now I’m trying to choose joy, especially on tough days.”
Jinger has previously opened up about her PPD struggles, mentioning in an April 2025 podcast episode that it made her hesitant about breastfeeding son Finn.
“Postpartum after Evie was very challenging for me. When I was around 14 months into nursing, I felt trapped in a dark space and didn’t know how to deal with it,” she reflected at that time, shortly after giving birth. “I thought, ‘I’m done [nursing].’ I didn’t know how to navigate the weaning process because I was already struggling.”
Due to her experience with Evangeline, Jinger mentioned that she hadn’t even “considered” nursing Finn.
“Even with this pregnancy, I feel a certain fear creeping in, making me worry ‘Oh no, is this going to happen again? Am I heading back to that dark place?’” she recalled. “I never want to go back to that place again. Of course, I hope to nurse this baby, but if it doesn’t work out and I need to pump instead to prevent slipping back into postpartum depression, then that could be necessary.”
If you need support, please call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-852-6262 for free, confidential assistance, available 24/7 in the U.S.
