Tammy Duckworth to be first senator to give birth while in office

Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Sen. Tammy Duckworth announced her pregnancy on Twitter -- setting her up to become the first senator to give birth while in office.

The Illinois Democrat announced she was pregnant with her second child on Tuesday, saying she "wanted to share some exciting personal news" with her followers.

Duckworth, 49, won her senate seat last year after serving two terms in the House.

The senator used a play on her surname to make the announcement. She posted a photo of four ducks, including a duckling, to represent her, her husband Bryan Bowlsbey, daughter Abigail and her unborn child.

In another tweet, Duckworth thanked her followers for the support she received.

"Thank you for the outpouring of congratulations and support. I'm hardly alone or unique as a working parent, and my daughter Abigail has only made me more committed to doing my job and standing up for hardworking families everywhere," the senator tweeted.

Duckworth gave birth to her first child, Abigail, about three years ago. She already is one of 10 female members of the House of Representatives to give birth in office, but will be the first Senator to do so.

"I've had multiple IVF cycles and a miscarriage trying to conceive again, so we're very grateful," Duckworth told the Sun-Times.

The senator, who is six months pregnant, says she feels "great."

Sen. Dick Durbin D-Ill., supported Duckworth in a statement, saying "I am proud to have her as my Illinois colleague and prouder still that she will make history by being the first U.S. Senator to have a baby while in office. I couldn't be happier for her."

Duckworth served 23 years in the Illinois Army National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. While deployed in Iraq in 2004, her helicopter was shot down. Duckworth shattered an arm and lost both legs in the crash.

Wanted to share some exciting personal news... pic.twitter.com/ZZyu9pG2nq

- Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) January 23, 2018