Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband Derrick Dillard recently announced their pregnancy loss in a joint Instagram post. On Sunday April 14, 2024, the former 19 Kids and Counting couple revealed the stillbirth of their daughter at 4 months.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the stillbirth of our beautiful baby girl, Isla Marie Dillard," the post started. "Jill was 4 months pregnant (due in August) when we found out that our baby died in utero. From the moment we found out we were pregnant, we couldn’t wait to meet our baby."
"Isla was much loved from the start, and her 3 big brothers were so excited to introduce her to their world," the post continued. "We appreciate your prayers as we continue to grieve and heal from the loss of our little Isla Marie. ."
Fans flooded the comments with their support.
"@jillmdillard and @derickdillard, may the Lord deeply comfort you and grant you strength. Isla Marie is such a lovely name," one person commented.
"Sending you so much love ❤️ I’ve never met a stronger woman, Jill," another fan wrote. "I’m so so sorry for your loss and for the pain you are going through both physically and emotionally. We are praying for you and your beautiful family, and imagining sweet River and Isla dancing in heaven together ❤️ Ily mama."
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The posted picture shows the couple holding a pink crocheted blanket. Jill's sister-in-law, Deena Dillard, commented saying, "We love you all. We are continuing to pray. Isla Marie is so loved. Forever our first girl. ."
Jill and Derrick share three boys: 9-year-old Israel, 6-year-old Samuel, and 1-year-old Fredrick. Before the birth of their youngest, the couple experienced a miscarriage in 2021.
"We recently found out that we were expecting our third baby. We were all thrilled! It was fun to see so much joy in the boys’ faces as we shared the news with them," the post read. "They were full of questions and so excited as we talked about the pregnancy and how they would get to be involved along the way and after baby was born. However, a few days later we started miscarrying."
They went on to share that despite it being too early to tell the gender, they chose a name for the baby: River Bliss Dillard. "One meaning for River is 'tranquil'…and here in Arkansas, rivers are often a serene, beautiful escape in nature. We also like how the River talked about in the Bible (Rev. 22:1-5) represents God’s life-giving presence," the post said. "Our baby doesn’t get to live here with us on earth, but is forever with the source of the river of life, in the presence of the Lord! And we chose Bliss for a middle name because our baby is living in perfect bliss with the Lord and was such a gift that brought immense joy and happiness to us even though only with us here on earth for a short time."
Less than a year later, the couple posted in February 2022 that they were expecting their rainbow baby. "Ever since we were devastated last fall by the miscarriage of our sweet baby, River Bliss, we have prayed that, if it was God’s will, he would bless us with another baby," the post read. "We are excited to announce that God has answered our prayers and we are expecting our rainbow baby due July 2022!"
"As a mother of a baby girl born sleeping, my heart goes out to them," one mother posted in response to the news of their stillbirth. "And have so much respect for them talking openly about this. It's still treated like a stigma. Our children existed. They were here. They matter. They are loved."
