Michelle Duggar Suffered From Preeclampsia

According to Michelle Duggar’s doctor, baby Josie Brooklyn, who arrived Thursday (December 10) at 6:27pm, was born prematurely due to a rare condition – preeclampsia – suffered by her mother during pregnancy.

The condition, which affects 5-8% of pregnancies and causes high blood pressure, was discovered when the expectant mom was admitted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for pain related to a gall bladder problem.

"The obstetrical and neonatal teams reached the collaborative decision [Thursday] that Mrs. Duggar needed an emergency C-section to ensure the blood pressure problem would not be detrimental to her or the baby," Dr. Paul Wendel, the director the hospital's Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, tells PEOPLE.

He adds, “Michelle is recovering well from surgery.”

The Duggar’s 19th child was born weighing just 1lb, 6oz and is currently in stable condition in the hospital’s NICU.