‘Bringing Up Bates’ Carlin Bates Expecting Baby #3?

Bringing Up Bates star, Carlin Bates Stewart, recently shared what many fans believe to be a hint that the “Stew Crew” is growing again. Carlin and her husband, Evan Stewart, are currently parents to Layla, 3, and Zade, 1. The couple have expressed plans to expand their family, however, due to health issues, that plan was not certain.

Carlin’s Health Concerns

Shortly after the birth of the couple’s second child, Carlin began experiencing seizure-like episodes. Since then, she has been evaluated by numerous specialists who have not been able to offer much clarity. Initially, epilepsy was considered, but has not been named as the official cause. As a result of her episodes, she has fallen many times, ended up in the emergency room, and has even had a concussion.

Recently, Bates went for a 5-day hospital stay in which a long EEG was performed. According to the Mayo Clinic, an EEG, short for electroencephalogram, is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. Evan shared in a vlog prior to the test that he was worried the test would be ineffective because Carlin would be lying in the bed relaxing. He believes that the likelihood of her having a seizure in that setting is low. The couple has not shared the results of her EEG with followers.

Another Stewart Baby?

Previously, the Stewarts shared that they had discussed with Carlin’s doctor the potential effects of her medications and seizure activity, specifically how they would affect a pregnancy. Bates’ neurologist confirmed that her medications were safe to continue throughout a pregnancy. They also informed her that there were little to no safety concerns as far as they were concerned. Therefore, pregnancy has not been ruled out for the Stewarts, despite Carlin’s health issues.

Fans with a keen eye for detail suspect that a baby is on the horizon after the reality star’s recent Instagram stories. On Sunday, Carlin shared a short clip of her family enjoying church from the comfort of their home. She and her two children were cuddled on the couch, wearing comfy clothing, watching a live stream of their church’s service. Avid followers noted that the Stewart family “rarely miss church”. In the clip, they also stated that Carlin was noticeably unwell.

Fans Speculate

The Reddit boards are swirling with speculation that Carlin must be pregnant. In light of sister, Katie Bates Clark, recently discussing their plans for a baby in 2024, and the pair sharing their desire to be pregnant at the same time, this wouldn’t be a stretch. However, some fans disagree.

“Carlin can’t even drive yet. I highly doubt she’s looking to get pregnant,” one Redditor said. Others shared this train of thought as they assumed that the real reason the family missed church was that Carlin had experienced another episode.

Still, others noted the possibility of it being a simple stomach bug. Covid was also mentioned as some areas of the country have seen an uptick in cases recently. The Stewarts recently had a stomach bug just two weeks ago, which has fans generally worried for the family’s overall health.

What do you think of these fan assumptions? Do you think that another Stewart baby is coming soon? How do you feel about that in light of Carlin’s health? Share your thoughts in the comments!