Kate Gosselin Shares Heartbreaking Details About Her Pregnancy Journey with Sextuplets

The reality TV star is finally speaking out about the emotional toll of her sextuplet pregnancy, revealing she wasn't carrying just six babies after all.

Kate Gosselin, best known for "Jon & Kate Plus 8" alongside her ex-husband Jon Gosselin, is finally sharing a long-held secret from the most painful chapter of her life.

In a deeply personal TikTok series posted September 3, 2025, the reality TV mom and registered nurse opened up about the emotional and medical struggles she faced during her high-risk pregnancy two decades ago, including the heartbreaking loss of one of her unborn children.

In the fourth video of her six-part series, 50-year-old Kate revealed a detail she had never shared publicly before: she had been pregnant with seven babies, not six.

That discovery came during a routine ultrasound at just six weeks, when doctors found that one of the embryos had stopped growing. What followed was a complicated, often terrifying pregnancy that put both her life and the lives of her babies at risk.

Kate shared that she began experiencing serious symptoms, including bleeding, hyperstimulated ovaries, and kidney stones, all of which left her fearing the worst.

During one particularly distressing episode, Kate rushed to the emergency room, desperate for reassurance. As the sonographer conducted the scan, she noticed the screen was turned away from her. "I was trying to see that ultrasound so bad, and she was sort of shielding us from seeing," she recalled.

The atmosphere grew tense as she waited for answers. "And so, at some point, she just got really quiet, and I thought, 'Here we go. It's done,' and I was really, really scared," she added. Then came the moment she'll never forget: the sonographer confirmed six heartbeats.

Instantly, her mindset shifted. "From that point on, I was in it, I was going to fight for them, I was going to do whatever," Kate said. "Not that I wasn't before but just the fact that it was dangled, I was threatened with losing them, it made me realize how much I already loved them. So that was very miraculous."

Kate eventually gave birth to the sextuplets in 2004.

In a moment that left fans visibly moved, Kate responded to a TikTok follower who asked if she had ever wondered about the gender of the seventh baby. "I've always thought girl. Her name would have been Emma," she replied, ending it with a heart emoji.

The revelations didn't stop there. When another follower asked whether she had ever considered a name for a fourth boy, or if she had always believed the baby was a girl, Kate responded, "I always immediately thought girl."

Someone else also asked about the financial toll of delivering sextuplets. Kate answered candidly, "Back then we had such good insurance. Our bill maxed out over a million dollars. Insurance paid for ALL OF IT!!"

For Kate, those early struggles now feel like a distant storm, with her once-tiny kids now grown and carving out lives of their own.

As previously reported, viewers first met Kate's eight children — twins Mady and Cara, and sextuplets Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah, and Joel — when the family's reality show documented their early years in extraordinary detail.

Some remained in the public eye, while others retreated from it entirely. From career moves and college life to personal conflicts and public statements, here's what each of the kids looks like now and where they've ended up.

1. Madelyn 'Mady' Gosselin – Before

As one of the eldest in the Gosselin brood, Madelyn was thrust into the spotlight from the moment she could walk —and she didn't shy away from it. Known early on for her bold, confident personality, the camera seemed to love her as much as she loved it.

At 16, she was already setting her sights on a future in the public eye. "I would love to perform in some way. And I feel like I could write some sort of memoir already," she revealed.

After

Now in her 20s, Madelyn has kept a low profile, sharing only small glimpses of her life on social media. But in 2023, she briefly returned to the spotlight after responding to claims made by her estranged brother, Collin.

In a rare public response, Madelyn said they no longer have a relationship and explained she had distanced herself from him because of serious personal concerns, including past physical threats and differences in values.

She emphasized that she had witnessed behavior she could not condone, and ultimately made the decision to protect herself and her family by cutting ties. Now 22, she's chosen to focus on values like kindness and acceptance as she continues building a life away from the reality TV cameras.

2. Cara Gosselin – Before

Known for being more reserved than her outspoken twin sister, Cara often kept her thoughts to herself while growing up. "But she processes it in her own way," her mother shared.

While Madelyn was more outspoken, Cara found comfort in quieter moments, often seen with the family dog, Shoka, loyally by her side. But despite her reserved nature, at 16, she was already looking ahead, expressing a clear desire to leave home for college and pursue a future in medicine.

After

After graduating from Fordham University in 2023 with dual majors in mathematics and economics, Cara chose a career path firmly rooted in numbers and analysis.

She now works as a leasing credit officer at Bank of America, where she supports the healthcare, education, and not-for-profit sectors. Before taking on that role, she built her career in global renewable energy credit, gaining valuable experience in credit risk analysis across several major industries.

Though she tends to keep a lower profile than some of her siblings, Cara is a familiar face on her mother's Instagram, where longtime fans occasionally get a glimpse of her latest milestones and family moments.

3. Alexis Gosselin – Before

Alexis quickly became known for her playful personality and a deep love of animals. In one memorable episode of the family's reality show, she beamed while recalling a visit to a wildlife park and declared, "I'm definitely going to work with animals someday."

After

Now a teenager, Alexis occasionally appears on her mother's social media, popping up in TikTok clips and Instagram moments that give fans a glimpse into her life today.

4. Hannah Gosselin – Before

When the kids were still filming regularly, Hannah quickly emerged as the nurturing heart of the younger siblings. Kate once referred to her as "the mother" of the group, admiring how effortlessly she stepped into a caregiving role beyond her years.

Hannah looked up to her older sisters, especially when it came to style, and wasn't afraid to make bold changes of her own. After cutting her signature long hair during her teen years, Hannah said she loved her new look, "especially when it's in curls."

After

Now older, Hannah has begun to carve out a public identity of her own. She maintains an Instagram page where she shares personal moments, travel snapshots, and candid glimpses into her everyday life.

She also appears to have maintained a close bond with her father, Jon, who frequently shares glimpses of their time on his social media. From holiday snapshots to family celebrations, Hannah and Jon's connection remains a visible and consistent part of his updates.

5. Aaden Gosselin – Before

As a child, Aaden was the poster boy for cuteness as his signature glasses and inquisitive nature made him a fan favorite. He also shared a sweet, unshakable bond with the family's beloved German shepherd, Mak.

In a heartfelt 2016 Instagram post, Kate shared an adorable photo of the two sitting side by side, calling the moment "so precious" and noting that Aaden and Mak were "especially inseparable."

After

Fast forward to 2025, and Aaden is officially all grown up. He just celebrated his 21st birthday back in May, surrounded by his siblings and his mom, Kate, who shared a beaming group photo from their family outing.

6. Collin Gosselin – Before

Collin's journey has taken a markedly different path from that of his siblings. Back in 2017, Kate shared that he had been facing "educational and social challenges" and was enrolled in a program designed to help him develop essential life skills.

At the time, she explained that the separation from him was deeply painful. "There is a huge hole in our family without him here," Kate said. Still, she stood by her choice, describing it as a necessary step for his well-being.

After

In the years that followed, Collin became increasingly vocal about his experience growing up in the public eye, especially when it came to his relationship with his mother.

In 2024, Collin alleged that his mother mistreated him during his childhood, claiming that she zip-tied his arms and legs and locked him in a basement. The accusations cast a harsh spotlight on the pair's long-troubled relationship. Kate, through her attorney, denied any intentional harm.

His claims were not isolated. Over time, both Jon, whom Kate divorced in 2009, and their daughter, Hannah, also made statements that echoed Collin's criticism of Kate, creating a family divide that has, at times, spilled into the public eye.

And the tension hasn't gone unnoticed, as one person commented on one of Kate's recent posts, "Wow I guess the other 2 aren't yours anymore? SMH [sic]." Another shared, "Where's Collin?" while a third typed, "Almost like you're missing a couple." Someone else asked, "Where's Collin and Hannah?"

Today, Collin has built a notable social media presence with a steadily growing following. Through his posts, he continues to share glimpses of his personal journey.

7. Leah Gosselin – Before

The smallest of the sextuplets, Leah often joked about the everyday challenges that came with her petite frame. "It's not fun being the smallest always," she said in 2017, recalling how her tiny feet made it nearly impossible to swap shoes with her sisters.

But even then, she found joy in the little milestones that came with growing up. "Today I got to wear lip gloss and nail polish!" she happily shared,

After

These days, Leah has stepped fully into young adulthood, offering glimpses of her world through a popular TikTok account. Her videos often highlight updates from college and dorm life, as well as the books that have shaped her identity.

8. Joel Gosselin – Before

Back in 2017, Joel and his brother Aaden were the only two boys regularly featured at home; both were still hopeful the family's reality show would continue. At the time, Joel, like so many kids his age, wore glasses and braces, everyday markers of adolescence that he has since outgrown.

After

In 2019, Kate marked a proud family milestone with a celebratory Instagram post dedicated to her son Joel, the day he finally got his braces off.

Surrounded by snacks and a custom cake at what she proudly called a "Gosselin braces off party," Joel beamed for the camera, flashing his brand-new smile. Years later, he has grown into a handsome young man.

From childhood fame to adulthood in the public and private eye, Jon and Kate Gosselin's eight kids have each taken their own path. While some maintain close ties and others have distanced themselves, their stories continue to unfold — often with the spotlight never far behind.