Woman Had First Child As A Teenager And Is Now Expecting Her 12th - Does Not Use Hormonal Contraception

Oct 18, 2021 by apost team

Larger families used to be more popular in the past but one young family is keeping that tradition alive today. Veronica Merritt, 36, had her first child when she was in the ninth grade and is now expecting her 12th baby. The mom has a large online following on both TikTok and Instagram where she shares details of her life with her big family. 

Veronica found out she was pregnant with her first child, Victoria, 21, when she was only 14. Her next baby, Andrew, 16, was born five years later during her first marriage. The young mom was then divorced and remarried to Marty, 37, and together they have Adam, 15, Mara, 13, Dash, 12, Darla, 10, Marvelous, 8, Martalya, 6, Amelia, 4, Delilah, 3, and Donovan, 1. Veronica announced her 12th pregnancy on Instagram in October 2021. 

Veronica shared that she was able to graduate from high school with honors but did not continue her education due to her battle with kidney disease. She said that she ended up losing a kidney in 2020.  It is because of her kidney disease that Veronica does not use birth control, as it puts her at higher risk of blood clots. 

The mom also shared that she still wants to have more children, and even suggested having up to 17. The family live together in a nine-bedroom home in New York and seem very happy together. Veronica also said that she color coordinates all of her kids' clothes and belongings to make organizing easier. Keep reading to learn more about this extraordinary family. 

Having her first child so young did not stop the mother from getting her diploma. The Mirror reports Veronica said: "I graduated high school with honors. I attempted college but got sick both times. I have kidney disease and lost my kidney last year."

After her first daughter was born, Veronica knew she wanted more kids. "Some of the children were planned," she said. "But I can't take hormonal birth control because my illness means I am prone to blood clots." 

Despite her health issues, the young mom isn't ready to stop having kids yet. In August 2021, Victoria said to Truly, "Part of me says 'You're done, you're good' and the other part of me is like 'No, six more', I'm just going to sort of see what happens and let nature decide." Veronica announced her 12th pregnancy in October, so she must be thrilled!

In her announcement post on Instagram, Veronica shared a video of the sonogram that shows a sign under the monitor asking patients not to film or take pictures. The mom wrote in the post's caption: "Unjust rules must be broken. Or something like that…#12kids #cheaperbythedozen"

The Merritt household is about to get even larger when baby number 12 comes home. Veronica's 13-year-old daughter Mara told Truly that their house "is like being at a party but without music."

In the same interview, the mom opened up about how she stays organized. "The color-coding system is incorporated into almost everything, anything I can find in their color I'll buy; their clothes, their toys, their sheets, towels, toothbrushes, cups and plates, it's almost obsessive," Veronica shared. 

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This color-coding system seems problematic to some of Veronica's audience online. One person asked on Instagram, "Do you force your kids to wear only one color?" To which the mom responded: "People keep asking this question. I technically buy all their clothes, they can wear other colors if it's a holiday or if it still suits their personalities."

Many people agreed that this seems too controlling. On the post, one commenter said: "Maybe just let your kids wear what they want to wear? Maybe freedom of self-expression will help them grow as human beings?"

However, there were some people in the comments that supported Veronica's system. Another commenter wrote: 

"She has 11 kids and quite frankly color coding is the easiest way to organize. If their belongings are color-coded then no fights will break out over 'whose (item) is this' etc. Victoria for example, despite her color being red, is wearing mainly black so clearly, she's not controlling them entirely. Likewise to kids growing up religious or playing an instrument/sport they tend to grow into it thus liking it. Colour coding is in no way abusive."

In her interview with Truly, Veronica shared that she receives hateful messages online quite often. "I receive a lot of negative comments regarding my family, they will say things like 'All the same dad?' or 'Do you own a TV?'"

Veronica does her best to block out the negativity and focus on the positive instead. Many viewers of the Truly video thought that Veronica seems like an excellent mom. One commenter said, "She seems like she really takes care of all of them. They seem happy … Let her be, she's doing great."

What do you think of this large, and growing, family? Do you know anyone with 12 children? Let us know and be sure to send this along to your loved ones.