Alaska governor gives birth to 5th child, a boy named Trig

Gov. Sarah Palin gave birth Friday to her fifth child, a boy, about a month before her due date.

Trig Paxson Van Palin weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces. A news release from Palin's office says the 44-year-old governor and the baby are doing well and resting comfortably.

"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us," the Palin family said in a statement. "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives."

Governor's spokeswoman Sharon Leighow would not elaborate on the special challenges. She said Palin would talk with reporters early next week.

The governor went into labor Thursday while in Texas at an energy conference. She was able to travel back to Alaska in enough time to deliver her baby.

Palin and her husband, Todd, have four other children: a son, Track, 18, and three daughters, Bristol, 17, Willow, 13 and Piper, 7.

During her pregnancy, Palin modeled for the fashion magazine Vogue.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift was the nation's first governor to give birth while in office. She had twin girls in May 2001.

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On the Net:

Gov. Sarah Palin: http://www.gov.state.ak.us