Counting On’s Jill Duggar Reflects on Miscarriage 1 Year Later

Remembering River. Jill Duggar opened up about experiencing “conflicted feelings” one year after suffering a miscarriage — and nearly three months after welcoming son Freddy.

“❤️‍🩹😭 It’s been 1 year ago today since we said goodbye to our baby, River Bliss. 🕊,” the Counting onThe 31-year old alum captioned an Instagram tribute. It included a photo showing her holding her newborn baby. “💜As I sit here this morning nursing our little Freddy, covered in spit up and a little sleep deprived, I feel conflicted with feelings of loss and joy … I miss the moments we never had with River, yet I feel so so thankful for where we are this year holding our sweet little newborn & I do not take for granted what a blessing this journey of motherhood is. 🥺.”

In a second photo, Duggar showed a closeup of a necklace seemingly worn in River’s honor. The third photo featured a memory card with pregnancy tests, an angel figurine, and a poem inside.

“My heart is also heavy for others who wish so badly to be mamas or have experienced loss and are still praying for their miracle,” the former TLC personality continued. “I can’t wait to see you in heaven my baby! Until then, have fun running the streets of gold with Jesus and getting lots of cuddles from grandpa & great grandparents and cousins who have joined you there! I miss you & I’ll love you forever! 💞😭-mama.”

Duggar had previously shared her miscarriage in Oct 2021. “We recently found out we were expecting our third baby,” she captioned an Instagram video at the time. “We were thrilled! We miscarried a few days later. We love and miss you River Bliss!”

The footage was a moving tribute to the victims.19 Kids and CountingAlum shares her pregnancy news with husband Derick DillardIsrael, now 7, now 5; and Samuel, now 5; The couple tied the knot in 2014. Their sons, Israel, now 7, and Samuel, now 5, explained the meaningful name they chose to name their baby.

“One meaning for River is ‘tranquil,’ and here in Arkansas, rivers are often a serene, beautiful escape in nature,” they wrote in a blog post. “We also like how the River talked about in the Bible (Rev. 22:1-5) represents God’s life-giving presence. … 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!”

One month after going public with her pregnancy loss, Duggar told her social media followers that she felt “thankful” for her loved ones as they continued to grieve.

The Growing up Duggar coauthor announced in February that she and Dillard were expecting their rainbow baby, writing in a post on their family blog, “We are so thankful for a healthy baby and pregnancy so far and we look forward to finding out the gender soon!”

Freddy was born four months later. The Arkansas native revealed in September that the infant “had a little bit of a NICU stay” shortly after she gave birth. “He was born a little early and needed some extra adjustment time,” she explained via Instagram, sharing a photo from the hospital. “Any of you other #nicumama’s out there know that feeling when you just wanna sit and hold them till your bladder nearly bursts?! 🙋🏼‍♀️🙈😄💞We are so grateful to be spending our days bonding at home! 🤗.”