‘Bringing Up Bates’ Star Erin Bates Paine Talks Pregnancy, Jill Duggar’s Advice

During Thursday night’s episode of Bringing Up Bates, viewers will see Zach and Whitney Bates welcome their first child, Bradley. This is the first grandchild for Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, but fans already know there are more on the way. Alyssa and John are expecting a baby soon, and Erin and Chad have revealed they have a little one on the way too. Now Erin is opening up about her pregnancy and the fact that she’s gotten some encouragement from Jill Duggar Dillard of 19 Kids and Counting.

Erin Bates Paine chatted with Entertainment Tonight about her pregnancy. The big news, after some struggles, was revealed recently on Bringing Up Bates, and now she is about 23 weeks along. She says that it was difficult to share her struggles regarding starting a family on the show, but she thought it was worth it to encourage someone else who might be facing similar challenges.

She admits that the first three months of her pregnancy she dealt with a lot of fear. Erin’s husband, Chad, told her that they just had to trust in their faith, and she was relieved every time they could hear the heartbeat. The Bringing Up Bates star says that the baby kicking is the highlight of her day.

Fans know that the Bates family is quite close to the Duggar family of 19 Kids and Counting. Jill Duggar Dillard is expecting her baby boy with husband Derick in March, and Erin says that Jill has been very sweet and supportive of her pregnancy. Erin calls her a good friend and says they text fairly regularly.

Of course, there’s been speculation that perhaps there could be a courtship and wedding for a pair within the Bates and Duggar families. Erin said that she thinks it’s almost inevitable that it’ll happen at some point. She says she doesn’t know when, but with 19 kids on each side, she thinks it’ll happen at some point.

There has been talk that before Zach met Whitney, he actually indicated an interest in a courtship with Jana Duggar. While that pairing didn’t work, many fans are hopeful something else will come along, as a Duggar and Bates wedding would be quite the grand affair.

Thursday’s episode of Bringing Up Bates shows Zach and Whitney welcoming Bradley, and many of the Bates family members are there to greet him. Though this is an emotional time for everybody in the family, obviously it is particularly emotional for Erin and Chad.

ET also teases that in this episode viewers will see how Chad and Erin share the news of their pregnancy with Gil and Kelly Jo. Based on the synopsis via TV Guide, it seems that it’ll come as surprising news to the Bates family, and everybody will surely be overjoyed.

Erin and Chad Paine have been sharing some photos showing her baby bump now that the news is out, and fans can’t wait to see more. Tune into Bringing Up Bates airing on Thursday, February 12 to see Whitney and Zach Bates welcome baby Bradley and see how Chad and Erin Paine share their good news.

[Image via UP TV]