A child born after a previous miscarriage or stillbirth has come to be called a “rainbow baby,” because it signifies something beautiful that comes after a period of darkness and sorrow. Obstetrician Jennifer Kulp-Makarov told Parents, “It’s an extremely emotional and devastating experience to lose a pregnancy [or baby]. To create a life or bring a baby into the world after such a loss is amazing like a miracle for these parents.”
After losing their third child Jill Duggar Dillard and husband Derick leaned on their Christian faith to support them through their grief. They wrote in their family blog, “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!” Still, it was a shattering blow, and Jill found healing in memorializing River through a memory box containing letters for the baby and other mementoes. She also had inspirational phrases tattooed in henna on her hands for solace.
Jill and Derick Dillard concluded their pregnancy announcement by saying, “We are so thankful for a healthy baby and pregnancy so far and we look forward to finding out the gender soon!” Their news was quickly met with more than 52,000 likes on Jill’s Instagram account, including congratulatory messages from fellow reality-show alums Josie Bates Balka and Carlin Bates Stewart. Jill’s aunt Amy King wrote, “What a sweet picture!! Couldn’t be happier for y’all!!”
