Erin Bates is open to the idea of expanding her family again. On Wednesday, July 15, the 35-year-old Bringing Up Bates star took to her Instagram Stories to answer questions from her followers.
Erin almost died last year after giving birth to her seventh child. Erin ended up in the intensive care unit (ICU) after Henry was born in August 2025 due to a serious UTI and renal illness. Things got much worse when she became septic. After a protracted seizure, her outlook appeared dire at one point. After that, she was moved to a different hospital for more specialized treatment. Erin was unable to use her leg when she was eventually discharged from the hospital. Several months later, Erin could finally use her leg and walk again.
Erin Bates Says Parenthood is the Highest Calling
During the Q&A, she shared that she would “without a doubt” consider having more children if health wasn’t an issue. She and her husband, Chad Paine, view parenthood as their “highest calling.”
“Without a doubt, yes! We both just love kids and consider it our highest calling to raise them to know and love Jesus,” Erin said. “Maybe adoption in the future… I don’t know! 🫶🏼 I’m so thankful for the children the Lord gave us.” Erin and Chad welcomed their seventh child, Henry Blythe, on Monday, August 25, and announced the news on Instagram two days later. Erin was pictured holding her newborn son shortly after delivery.
“After a long and emotional labor, our miracle arrived. Henry Blythe was born August 25th. 💙,” she wrote. “Henry is doing wonderful, but we would so appreciate your prayers for Erin as she continues to recover from some complications. We thank the Lord for carrying us through and for the gift of this precious boy. 💙.”
In addition to Henry, Erin is mom to daughters Finley Marie, 4, Holland Grace, 6, Everly Hope, 8, and Brooklyn Elise, 9, as well as sons William Gage, 2, and Charles Steven IV, 11. Following Henry’s birth, Chad updated on September 1 that Henry was “doing well” in the NICU, while Erin was “fighting through” serious complications after delivery.
“Erin developed a severe UTI and kidney infection, which sent her into septic shock,” he said. “She is currently still in the ICU as doctors continue to treat, diagnose, and search for answers.”
Three days later, Chad posted on September 4 that Erin had “suffered a lengthy and severe seizure” the previous night.
“Up to this point, Erin’s infection was getting better, but we found ourselves back in a place of heartache, uncertainty and tears,” he wrote. “She is in the ICU, and the doctors are running scans and tests to determine the cause. Erin is extremely weak and spent hours only half-conscious.”
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Erin shared beautiful words for her special son Henry on her Instagram page that has almost half a million followers. Henry Blythe Paine will already be 1-year-old on August 25th.
“When I look at your perfect little face, I can only whisper, “Thank You, God.”
Thank You for Your faithfulness.
Thank You for Your mercy.
Thank You for being the giver of every good and perfect gift.
It’s hard to believe that just five months ago, we couldn’t see this beautiful picture. We were simply begging God for a miracle. And now—now all I see is the miracles around me.
Every single day, you are a reminder of how good our Heavenly Father is. 🤍”
Little Henry Paine is almost a year old and thriving in his loving big family. Come back to the Daily News Corner for more Bates family news.
