Jill Duggar and her husband Eric Dillard recently laid their stillborn daughter to rest, holding a funeral for the little one they named Isla Marie. The couple shared photos of the service, including a white box covered in flowers and a stuffed toy bunny. The program for the funeral featured a photo of the couple and Isla’s name, along with the first four verses of the 23rd Psalm and the meaning of her name. At a post-funeral gathering, they shared more Bible verses and a heartfelt note from Jill to her daughter. They also offered mourners a memento of flower seeds in Isla’s memory.
Jill and Derick announced the heartbreaking news of their stillbirth earlier in the month, when she was four months pregnant. They expressed their excitement about welcoming a new family member, sharing that their three sons were eager to meet their baby sister. The couple thanked their fans for their support as they grieved the loss of Isla Marie. This tragedy comes after Jill suffered a miscarriage in 2021 and nearly lost her life during the birth of her son Samuel in 2017, due to a brain bleed.
The pair met in 2011 and wed in 2014, starting their family with the birth of Israel, now nine, followed by Samuel, six, and Frederick, one. Jill Duggar and her family have distanced themselves from her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, in recent years, due to differences stemming from her memoir released in 2023. The Duggar family starred in the reality show “19 Kids and Counting” and “Counting On” and faced scrutiny over their conservative beliefs and personal lives.
A stillbirth occurs when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy, while a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks is not considered a stillbirth. Not all stillbirths can be prevented, but there are steps pregnant women can take to reduce the risk, such as avoiding smoking or drinking, not sleeping on the back, and attending all antenatal appointments. Signs of a potential stillbirth may include reduced fetal movement, and women are advised to contact their doctor immediately if they notice any changes.
The causes of stillbirths are not always clear, but they may be due to issues with the placenta or birth defects. Risk factors for stillbirth include high blood pressure, diabetes, infections affecting the baby, multiple pregnancies, advanced maternal age, smoking, and pre-existing conditions like epilepsy. After a stillbirth, women may wait for natural labor or be induced if their health is at risk. Bereavement support groups are available to help parents cope with the loss, and some find comfort in naming their baby or taking pictures with them. The Duggar family has faced multiple challenges, including miscarriages and stillbirth, which has put a strain on their relationships and tested their faith.
