Everyone grieves in their own way following a pregnancy loss, whether it is a miscarriage or a stillbirth. Some prefer to privately work through their emotions privately. Others, however, process better with the help of others. Either way is valid.
Following the stillbirth of a baby girl at four months pregnant, Jill Duggar shared her grief with her social media followers. The former Counting On star has posted multiple Instagram photos of her holding a wrapped-up bundle, attending a funeral service, releasing pink balloons into the sky, and more. However, critics have accused her of being "performative" in her updates — and fans are defending the bereaved mom in the comments.
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Jill posted a pair of emotional photos following her stillborn daughter's funeral.
Jill took to Instagram on April 26 to share a pair of photos following her stillborn daughter's funeral. The main image showed the bereaved mom sitting on a bed while wiping tears from her eyes and holding a wrapped-up bundle.
" 'I carried you for every second of your life, and I will love you every second of mine,'" Jill captioned the post. "1 week ago today we laid our baby girl to rest. We will love you forever Isla Marie! ❌⭕️❌⭕️"
Many followers shared words of support.
In the comments, many Instagram users wrote supportive messages.
Jill's younger sister, Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth, left a string of emojis, writing " ❤️."
Another Instagram user commented, "I’m so sorry, Jill! Praying for you and your family in this heartbreaking time ❤️ ."
"With you. One day at a time," someone else wrote. "You will never forget her. Heaven will be so, so sweet and growing sweeter everyday. Love you."
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Unfortunately, some critics accused Jill's photos of being 'performative.'
Not everyone was kind with their reactions to Jill's photos memorializing her stillborn daughter. One person wrote, "This seems so performative at this point – miscarriages happen every single day."
Fortunately, a slew of supporters clapped back, including one Instagram user who replied, "@rea.rickards how nasty of you to make these comments. She lost her child. She was putting hopes and dreams into this little being and then for those to be shattered abruptly is devastating."
Another critical user declared, "This is getting really disturbing," to which someone else pointed out, "@tjones76 not your page or platform your opinion is irrelevant."
Someone else replied, "@tjones76 I hope you never have to lay a baby to rest. You will look back at your comment and see just how unnecessary it was."
Jill's fans continued defending her by slamming the trolls.
Other Instagram users responded to the naysayers as a whole in the comments. One person declared the critics to be "extremely unkind" before sharing their story.
"My husband and daughter passed over 7 years ago and I still post about them several times on my page. I don’t care what anyone says. It’s my life and my pain," the person wrote. "Same for this beautiful couple and their sweet baby. It takes time to grieve it never ends you just learn to live with it. Let them be they are not hurting anyone and it’s their page."
Another Instagram user scolded critics: "I cannot believe the number of women criticizing Jill for this. I lost my unborn baby in January and I am broken. Women should express their grief how they see fit. How dare you judge her? Disgusting."
Yet another fan pointed out, "Jill has been through a lot in her life. And journaling is how she copes. So if these daily journals upset you…..maybe have a heart and skip the comment. ❤️"
Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, first announced the stillbirth on April 13.
Jill announced via Instagram that she Derick had welcomed a stillborn daughter.
" It is with heavy hearts that we announce the stillbirth of our beautiful baby girl, Isla Marie Dillard. Jill was 4 months pregnant (due in August) when we found out that our baby died in utero," her post read. "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 message concluded: "We appreciate your prayers as we continue to grieve and heal from the loss of our little Isla Marie. ."
Jill and Derick, who have been married since 2014, share three sons: Israel, 9, Samuel, 6, and Freddy, 21 months.
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