Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), the presumptive Republican vice presidential nominee, confirmed today that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. In a statement from the governor and her husband Todd Palin, the couple said they were proud of their daughter’s decision.

“Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned,” the Palins said. “We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.”

Bristol Palin is the second oldest of the Palins’ five children. This will be their first grandchild. Palin herself gave birth to her fifth child, Trig, in late April.

In the same statement, Palin and her husband asked the media to respect their daughter’s privacy.

“Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family,” the Palins said. “We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.”