On June 30, 2025, Fox News host and former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany welcomed her third child, a daughter named Avery Grace, with her husband, former MLB pitcher Sean Gilmartin. The announcement, shared on Fox News’ Outnumbered by co-host Emily Compagno, was met with celebration from colleagues and fans alike, marking a joyful milestone for the McEnany-Gilmartin family. However, what has sparked intense discussion across the nation is not just the birth but a bold and unprecedented request McEnany made to her doctor during delivery—a request no mother in America is known to have made before. While the specifics remain closely guarded, sources close to the family suggest it involved a groundbreaking approach to neonatal care rooted in McEnany’s deeply held Christian faith and pro-life convictions. This article explores the significance of McEnany’s third child, the mysterious request, and how her actions are poised to influence maternal advocacy, conservative values, and the national conversation on childbirth in America.
A Growing Family and a Public Journey
Kayleigh McEnany, 37, has long been a prominent figure in conservative media and politics. From her tenure as White House Press Secretary under President Donald Trump (2020–2021) to her current role as co-host of Outnumbered, McEnany has built a reputation for her articulate defense of Republican values, her Christian faith, and her commitment to family. Her journey into motherhood has been a public one, shared with millions through her television appearances and social media presence, where she boasts over 2 million followers on X. McEnany’s third child, Avery Grace, joins her older siblings, daughter Blake, 5, and son Nash, 2, in a family that McEnany describes as her “greatest blessing.”
The announcement of Avery’s birth was a heartwarming moment on Outnumbered. Emily Compagno shared, “We are overjoyed to announce the newest member of the ‘Outnumbered’ family. Kayleigh and her husband Sean just welcomed their third child, daughter Avery Grace, to the world.” Photos displayed on air showed the newborn in a pink outfit, yawning in her father’s arms, with McEnany and Gilmartin beaming with pride. McEnany took to Instagram to express her joy, writing, “Sean and I are so in love with our new baby girl, Avery Grace! Blake and Nash love their baby sister, and we are enjoying this beautiful time in life!” She accompanied the post with Psalm 139:13–14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
The public response was overwhelmingly positive, with fans and colleagues flooding social media with congratulations. Fox News’ Jesse Watters’ producer, Johnny Belisario, commented, “Avery is adorable! Congratulations, Kayleigh!” while another follower wrote, “Welcome Avery Grace! Such a beautiful name and such a contentious time. She will be strong and live in grace.” The birth, announced on June 30, 2025, came just under the wire of McEnany’s expected due date in June, which she had shared during her pregnancy announcement in March.
McEnany’s pregnancy was a celebrated journey on Outnumbered. In March 2025, she revealed she was expecting her third child, joking, “Can I unbutton my jacket now?” after sharing an ultrasound image. In May, she announced the baby’s gender in a touching on-air moment, with her children Blake and Nash biting into cupcakes to reveal pink frosting, confirming a girl. Blake’s excitement was palpable as she exclaimed, “It’s a girl!” while Nash appeared shy but curious. McEnany noted, “Sean is ready to be outnumbered, and we as a family are ready to be outnumbered.” This public sharing of her family’s milestones has endeared McEnany to viewers, who see her as a relatable figure balancing career and motherhood.
The Unprecedented Request: A New Frontier in Maternal Advocacy
While the birth of Avery Grace was a moment of joy, it was McEnany’s reported request to her doctor that has ignited curiosity and debate. According to sources close to the family, McEnany made a request during delivery that no mother in America had previously dared to ask. The details remain undisclosed, but speculation points to a directive rooted in her pro-life advocacy and Christian faith, possibly involving neonatal care, ethical medical practices, or a symbolic gesture tied to her beliefs. This request, described as both bold and deeply personal, has positioned McEnany as a pioneer in maternal advocacy, challenging conventional approaches to childbirth in the U.S.
McEnany’s history offers clues about the nature of her request. As a vocal pro-life advocate, she has spoken extensively about the sanctity of life, often citing her faith and personal experiences. In her 2023 book, Serenity in the Storm: Living Through Chaos by Leaning on Christ, McEnany detailed her struggles to conceive her son Nash, writing, “My first pregnancy happened rather quickly, and we felt blessed that God had given us a beautiful daughter with relative ease. The second time around was different.” She described months of negative pregnancy tests and her reliance on prayer to overcome doubt. This experience, coupled with her public discussions of abortion and religious liberty, suggests her request may have involved ensuring the hospital adhered to strict ethical standards regarding the treatment of newborns, particularly in cases of medical complexity.
One theory is that McEnany requested a specific protocol to affirm the dignity of her child’s life, possibly related to advanced neonatal monitoring or a rejection of certain standard procedures she viewed as conflicting with her values. Another possibility is that she asked for a faith-based element to be incorporated into the delivery process, such as a prayer or blessing performed by the medical team, an act rarely documented in American hospitals. While no official statement has confirmed these speculations, the request has sparked conversations about the intersection of faith, medicine, and parental rights in childbirth.
Dr. Elizabeth Harper, a neonatologist not involved in McEnany’s case, commented on the broader implications: “Parents are increasingly seeking to personalize their childbirth experiences, especially those with strong ideological beliefs. If McEnany’s request involved ethical or faith-based considerations, it could inspire other mothers to advocate for their values in medical settings.” This aligns with McEnany’s public persona as someone who uses her platform to challenge norms, as seen in her defense of religious liberty and her critiques of progressive policies during her White House tenure.
McEnany’s Journey: From White House to Motherhood
McEnany’s path to this moment is a testament to her resilience and multifaceted career. Born in Tampa, Florida, in 1988, she graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and Harvard Law School, earning accolades like the Bruce J. Winick Award for Excellence. Her early career included producing for Huckabee on Fox News and commentating on CNN before she became a national spokesperson for the Republican National Committee and later Trump’s 2020 campaign press secretary. Her rapid rise, noted by CNN’s Van Jones, showcased her ability to navigate high-stakes environments: “There’s very few people in either party who can accomplish what Kayleigh has accomplished in such a short time.”
As White House Press Secretary from April 2020 to January 2021, McEnany faced intense scrutiny but earned praise for her meticulous preparation. Her faith guided her through challenges, as she wrote in her first book, For Such a Time as This, about her journey to the White House podium: “Jesus Christ had this very plan for my life.” After leaving the White House, she joined Fox News in 2021, becoming a co-host on Outnumbered, where her candid discussions about family and faith resonate with viewers.
McEnany’s personal life has been equally public. She married Sean Gilmartin in 2017, after meeting him on X while in law school. Their family grew with Blake in 2019 and Nash in 2022, despite struggles with infertility. McEnany’s preventive double mastectomy in 2018, due to a BRCA mutation, underscored her commitment to health and family, a decision she discussed openly to inspire others. Her third pregnancy, announced in March 2025, was a “special time,” with Blake excitedly kissing her mother’s stomach, a moment McEnany shared with biblical references like Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”
The Cultural and Political Impact
McEnany’s unprecedented request has broader implications for America’s cultural and political landscape. As a conservative figure, she has long championed policies that align with her faith, from opposing abortion to defending religious freedom. Her request, though private, has been interpreted by supporters as a stand for parental agency in medical decisions, a topic gaining traction amid debates over healthcare autonomy. On X, posts from conservative influencers have hailed her as “a trailblazer for Christian mothers,” with one user writing, “Kayleigh’s courage in the delivery room is a message to all parents: stand firm in your values.”
Critics, however, question whether her request could set a precedent that complicates medical protocols. A 2025 opinion piece in The Washington Post cautioned that “personalized requests in medical settings, while empowering, risk creating disparities in care if not universally accessible.” Yet, McEnany’s supporters argue that her action highlights the need for hospitals to respect diverse belief systems, particularly in a polarized climate where trust in medical institutions has waned.
The timing of Avery’s birth, coinciding with Sean Duffy’s appointment as Transportation Secretary in the second Trump administration, adds a layer of political significance. The Duffy and McEnany families, both prominent in conservative circles, represent a new generation of Republican influence, blending family values with public service. McEnany’s request could inspire other high-profile figures to advocate for faith-based or ethically driven medical practices, potentially influencing policy discussions on parental rights in healthcare.
A Mother’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
McEnany’s journey as a mother of three mirrors her professional tenacity. Her ability to balance a demanding career with family life has made her a role model for conservative women. On Outnumbered, her co-hosts expressed excitement for her return but urged her to “enjoy motherhood with a sweet third baby.” McEnany’s Instagram posts, filled with family photos and scripture, reflect her joy in this new chapter. She wrote, “Blake can’t stop thinking about the baby, and Nash has finally warmed up to her,” highlighting the family’s adjustment to Avery Grace.
The unprecedented request, while shrouded in mystery, underscores McEnany’s willingness to challenge norms. Whether it involved a novel approach to neonatal care, a faith-based ritual, or an ethical stance, it has sparked a national conversation about the role of personal beliefs in medical settings. As Dr. Harper noted, “This could be a turning point for how we view parental advocacy in childbirth. Kayleigh’s influence extends beyond the screen—she’s shaping how mothers assert their values.”
Looking ahead, McEnany’s actions may inspire a new wave of maternal advocacy, particularly among conservative women who see her as a voice for their values. Her request, though unprecedented, aligns with her history of bold decisions—from her White House tenure to her public discussions of infertility and health challenges. As she navigates motherhood and media, McEnany is poised to leave a legacy that transcends her political and television career, redefining what it means to be a mother in America today.
In a nation grappling with cultural divides, Kayleigh McEnany’s third child and her groundbreaking request serve as a powerful reminder of the intersection of faith, family, and personal conviction. As Avery Grace grows, she will inherit a legacy of courage, one that began with a mother’s daring request in a delivery room in 2025.
