Audrey's Hell! 'Little People' Star Hospitalized After Giving Birth To First Child
On this week's two-hour special episode of Little People, Big World, Audrey Roloff gave birth to her baby girl, Ember!
But right before Jeremy and Audrey's big day, Amy and boyfriend Chris Marek had to settle some issues.
Last week, fans were left hanging after Amy and Chris got into an explosive fight on their trip to Alberta, Canada. Amy confronted Chris for repeatedly walking away without letting her know where he was going.
"I had no idea where he was, where he was going, what he was doing. I was so mad at him," Amy admitted. "Then he came back. I was like 'is everything okay?' And then he told me that he just had to go talk to his friends for a little bit. And I said 'you know that doesn't work for me, you could've at least let me know what was happening.'"
This week, however, the two seemed to have resolved their issues.
"I explained myself when I got back, and she just let me know that it would've been nice to let her know before I left," Chris explained. "And good point, but my head was in a different place when I walked away from the table."
"We talked about it. And it was done," Chris added. "There are some fundamentals in our relationship. And the two that we've got nailed are: trust and communication. We trust each other hundred percent. We communicate well, so that's part of the reasons it's going so well."
A happy Amy later said she appreciated Chris being so understanding.
"When Matt and I were married, we didn't communicate on a lot of stuff that I think eventually grew us a part, and I didn't want to go on that path again," Amy admitted. "So I was just glad that I mentioned something to Chris and it was all good."
Thankfully, they made it back home in time for the birth of Audrey's daughter.
Prior to the birth, Matt threw a pre-launch book party for a children's book he wrote titled: "Little Lucy, Big Race." He dedicated the book to his grandson, Jackson, and hoped the event would bring the whole family closer.
"I invited Amy and Chris to the book launch party I was having because I wanted this to be a good time for all of us to get together," Matt explained. "I was kind of hoping that this party would be a good chance for us to come all together. But it does not seem like Amy was having fun. It seemed to have the opposite effect. So I thought it would be step forward, and it looks like it was a step back."
Amy later explained that she was still having a hard time grappling with the divorce.
"I think it's great that he put out a children's book and he dedicated it to Jackson, but I really didn't want to go. It has nothing to do with me," Amy admitted. "I don't necessarily miss being with Matt, but I think what was kind of sad for me was: this would've been nice if we were still together to celebrate and share this moment. It does maybe cause regret that Matt and I couldn't work it out."
Meanwhile, as the family drama unfolded, Audrey ran way past her due date. She was determined to have a natural birth, but things just weren't going as planned. She, Jeremy, and the rest of the Roloff family were getting extremely anxious.
"I want to have a natural childbirth," Audrey said. "But If I go 12 days past my due date, that's when the doctors will want to induce. I don't want to be induced, so just really hoping and praying that she will come before then."
"It's a really unsettling feeling, knowing that any day I can wake up and go into labor," Audrey added. "I can go to bed and go to labor."
They tried everything. Audrey went on regular walks, and even ate spicy and sour foods in hopes it would trigger the birth. Eventually, it worked!
At 2:30 in the morning — exactly 12 days past her due date on the night of the Matt's book party — Audrey went into labor.
"Labor has begun! Audrey woke up at 2:30 in the morning with excruciating pain," Jeremy said. "And contractions were coming regularly. So now we are up, we are showered. And we think it's go time."
Seven hours later, the second Roloff grandchild was born. On September 10, 9:40 a.m. baby Ember Jean Roloff was welcomed into the world. Unfortunately, things quickly took a turn for the worst.
"They actually hospitalized us for two more days," Audrey explained. "All of these things started to develop within the next day. I was balling in pain. I never cried during labor. But I was like weeping during this."
"My milk came in so fast, and they just couldn't get it out. One of the nurses said it was the worst case they'd seen in a decade. I can't hold Ember because I'm in so much pain. It was a horrible experience."
After Audrey's release from the hospital, the pain heightened.
"I got mastitis five days after she was born. Mastitis is when the breast tissue is infected," Audrey explained. "I wouldn't say that I got to enjoy being a mom those first few weeks. I was in lots of pain. There was swelling and inflammation. And then I also had issues with just like blistering and bruising. It was just not good."
"I spend 16 hours a day in a 24-hour period trying to feed her. So I'm exhausted and sleep deprived. Not a day goes by where I don't cry."
Despite the struggles, the Roloff family basked in the joy of Audrey's newborn.
"Seeing her for the first time was crazy. I was so exhausted, but we were holding this miracle," Audrey said.
"I kept thinking how strong my wife is." Jeremy added.
Mamma Amy was more than happy to have a granddaughter. "I am thrilled to death. I have another son who's a dad. I couldn't be more happy," she said with a smile.
"My second son has a daughter. It's so exciting," Matt said. "It is a surreal moment. All of a sudden there's a new life."
On next weeks' episode, Audrey and Jeremy go through what may be their first test as parents when baby Ember faces health problems. Meanwhile, Chris has planned a surprise party for Amy's birthday, and things get weird when Matt gets involved!
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