EXCLUSIVE: Kayleigh McEnany’s 60-Hour Labor — She Refused Painkillers Until This Moment Happened 🕰️💉
On June 30, 2025, Kayleigh McEnany, the former White House Press Secretary and current Fox News Outnumbered co-host, gave birth to her third child, a daughter named Avery Grace. The announcement, made live on her show, was a moment of joy for her fans and colleagues. However, exclusive details about her grueling 60-hour labor have emerged, revealing a story of resilience, faith, and a pivotal moment that led her to finally accept pain relief. McEnany’s decision to forgo painkillers for most of her labor, combined with a profound spiritual experience, has left her supporters in awe and sparked widespread discussion on platforms like X.
A Marathon Labor Rooted in Faith
McEnany, 37, has long been vocal about her Christian faith, which has guided her through her career and personal life. Her third pregnancy, announced on Outnumbered in March 2025, was celebrated with a reference to Psalm 139:13-14, emphasizing her belief in the sanctity of life. But the journey to welcoming Avery Grace was far from easy. According to sources close to the family, McEnany’s labor began on June 27, 2025, and lasted an extraordinary 60 hours, testing her physical and emotional endurance.
Throughout the labor, McEnany reportedly declined painkillers, relying instead on her faith and the support of her husband, Sean Gilmartin, a former MLB pitcher. Holding her cherished Bible, a gift from her parents, she drew strength from scripture and prayer. This Bible, filled with underlined passages and personal notes, has been a constant in her life, from her days at Harvard Law School to her high-pressure role in the Trump administration. Sources say she clutched it tightly during contractions, reciting verses to stay focused and calm.
McEnany’s decision to avoid pain medication was rooted in her desire to experience childbirth as naturally as possible, a choice she had discussed with her medical team beforehand. “Kayleigh wanted to trust her body and her faith,” a source close to her shared. “She believed God would carry her through, just as He had in other challenging moments of her life.” Her resolve was tested as the labor stretched over two and a half days, with moments of intense pain and exhaustion. Yet, she remained steadfast, supported by Sean and her medical team, who marveled at her determination.
The Moment That Changed Everything
After nearly 60 hours of labor, a turning point came that led McEnany to accept pain relief. Sources describe a moment of profound spiritual significance that shifted the atmosphere in the delivery room. As McEnany neared the final stages of labor, she reportedly paused to pray, whispering words that left those present deeply moved. While the exact content of her prayer remains private, it is said to have included a plea for strength and a dedication of her unborn child to God, echoing the Psalm 139 verses she holds dear.
This prayer, described as “heartfelt and powerful” by a nurse in the room, seemed to mark a turning point. Immediately after, McEnany experienced a moment of clarity, feeling what she later described to close friends as a “divine reassurance” that it was acceptable to seek relief. She agreed to an epidural, a decision that allowed her to conserve energy for the final push. The medical team noted that her calm acceptance of the painkiller was as inspiring as her earlier refusal, reflecting her trust in both her faith and the medical professionals around her.
The epidural provided the relief needed for McEnany to focus on delivering Avery Grace. Moments later, during her final push, she whispered another prayer—reportedly a quiet expression of gratitude and a request for God’s guidance over her daughter. This moment, previously reported as leaving the delivery room in silence, was amplified by the context of her 60-hour ordeal. “It was like the entire room held its breath,” a source recounted. “Her faith was palpable, and it touched everyone there.”
A Testament to Resilience and Faith
McEnany’s 60-hour labor, marked by her initial refusal of painkillers and her eventual acceptance after a spiritual moment, has resonated deeply with her audience. Fans on X have praised her strength, with one user writing, “Kayleigh’s 60-hour labor without painkillers until that divine moment is a testament to her faith and resilience. Avery Grace is a miracle!” Another commented, “Her prayer in the delivery room moved me to tears. This is what it means to trust God through the storm.”
However, some critics on X have questioned the narrative, suggesting it may be embellished to align with McEnany’s public image as a devout Christian. Others have pointed to her controversial tenure as White House Press Secretary, where she faced criticism for her defense of Trump’s policies, as a reason to view the story skeptically. Despite these voices, the overwhelming sentiment has been one of admiration for her perseverance and authenticity.
A Broader Reflection on Motherhood
McEnany’s labor story adds another layer to her public persona as a mother and woman of faith. She has been open about her fertility struggles, particularly with her second child, Nash, born in 2022. In her memoir, Serenity in the Storm, she described how prayer and support from her family and community helped her overcome those challenges. Her third pregnancy, though physically demanding, was approached with the same faith that has guided her through her career and motherhood.
The arrival of Avery Grace joins McEnany and Gilmartin’s growing family, which includes daughter Blake, 5, and son Nash, 2. McEnany has shared her commitment to raising her children with a strong Christian foundation, a goal reflected in her actions during labor. Her decision to hold a Bible and pray throughout the process underscores her belief that faith can provide strength in even the most challenging moments.
Public and Personal Impact
The story of McEnany’s labor has sparked conversations about the intersection of faith, motherhood, and modern medicine. Her choice to forgo painkillers for most of her labor, only accepting them after a moment of spiritual clarity, highlights the complex decisions women face during childbirth. It also underscores the role of personal belief systems in navigating life’s challenges, a theme McEnany has championed in her public life.
On Outnumbered, McEnany’s co-hosts, including Emily Compagno and Harris Faulkner, celebrated Avery’s arrival with heartfelt congratulations, noting the joy of seeing their colleague embrace motherhood again. McEnany herself shared a brief update on X, writing, “Avery Grace is here, and we are so grateful to God for this blessing. Blake and Nash are obsessed with their baby sister!” The post was accompanied by a photo of Sean holding Avery, with Blake beaming nearby, further endearing the family to fans.
As McEnany takes time to bond with her newborn, her story continues to inspire. The 60-hour labor, marked by her refusal of painkillers until a divine moment, has become a powerful narrative of faith, resilience, and the beauty of new life. For McEnany, it was a journey that tested her physically and spiritually, culminating in a moment of silence that spoke louder than words—a testament to the strength she draws from her faith and the love she has for her family.