How Jill Duggar hid her pregnancy from fans for MONTHS before showing off baby bump in big announcement
JILL Duggar kept her pregnancy a secret for months, leaving fans questioning how they missed her growing baby bump.
Jill, 30, and her husband Derick, 32, shared the news that they are expecting on their website on Sunday.
The reality stars, however, have known for quite some time that they are expanding their brood, managing to keep it hidden from even their most devoted fans.
Her social media posts - and lack thereof - may have been a big indicator that the couple were expecting their third child, unbeknownst to her followers.
The Counting On alum took a break from her platforms in the beginning of the year, concerning fans who noticed her over a month-long disappearance.
Many chalked her absence up to her eldest brother Josh's child pornography trial, which occurred just weeks prior.
Josh, 33, has been in custody awaiting his sentencing since being found guilty of both possessing and receiving child pornography in December.
Jill and Derick attended the trial as Jill was expected to testify in the case, although she did not end up doing so.
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The TLC star also came forward as an alleged victim along with her sister Jessa, despite insisting that they had forgiven their brother for his wrongdoings.
It seemed only natural that Jill would want to take a break from the media as fans assumed she needed time to "process everything."
Many voiced their fears for the mom of two on the Duggar Facebook fan account, , with one writing: "I'm getting worried about Jill. She's never taken such a long break from social media without an explanation. Her last sighting was this post on December 10th the day her brother was found guilty.
They continued: "Maybe she's just trying to process everything privately but her disappearance is strange. Derick has posted a couple of times but didn't mention Jill or the kids. I hope her birth family isn't harassing her. Send up a flare, Jill. Let us know you're okay."
She did just that on January 30, when she resurfaced on by sharing a selfie of her and her husband, as well as one with their two boys playing in the background.
She briefly explained her hiatus in her caption, writing: "I took a little break on here to start the year and it has been super nice!"
She added that they've been "soaking up family time" in the midst of their busy work and school schedules.
Viewers seemed to be happy for her return, not noticing her shying the lower half of her body away from the camera - a possible sign that she was hiding a baby bump.
HIDING A BABY BUMP
Similar camera angles followed in her proceeding posts where the TV personality either kept her stomach out of the shot, or opted to not appear in the snap at all.
Earlier this month, she shared a of her youngest son Samuel enjoying a giant cup of frozen yogurt as a reward for all of his hard work in school.
Both picks focused on the little one eating the special treat, while the proud mom stayed behind the camera.
In some of her most recent pics, Jill again took command of the lens keeping her belly out of view.
She shared one snapshot of her and her hubby as they , capturing her just from the neck up.
In other photos from the day, she showed off the flowers she received from Derick, as well as the cookies she made with their kids.
She even appeared in one shot with the boys, although she again shielded her belly as the three of them knelt by the oven to watch their cookies bake.
Days later, Jill took another while her son Samuel was reading next to her, once again, refraining from getting her belly in the frame.
It all made sense after the happy couple revealed that they were expecting another child over the weekend.
PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
They took to their to announce their pregnancy, writing: "We’ve been keeping a little secret!"
"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 concluded: "We are excited to announce that God has answered our prayers and we are expecting our rainbow baby due July 2022!"
The family has yet to find out the baby's gender, but are "so excited" to learn if they will be having a baby girl or boy "soon."
The new addition will join their sons Israel, six, and Samuel, four.
users commented on the announcement, now understanding her recent social media use and sneaky posts, with one writing: "I called this when she referred to her little ones rather than her boys and was radio silent for months!"
While another echoed the thought, adding: "When i seen them staring in the oven i was like oh its a bun in the oven"
DEVASTATING MISCARRIAGE
Back in October 2021, Jill shared that they had planned to name their third child River Bliss Dillard before the devastating miscarriage.
She shared the heartbreaking news to fans in an emotional letter on her .
“We recently found out that we were expecting our third baby,” the post began. “We were all thrilled!”
She continued: “It was fun to see so much joy in the boys’ faces as we shared the news with them.
“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.”
The pair picked out the name because of the various meanings behind it, including “tranquil.”
They added that “rivers are often a serene, beautiful escape in nature.”
Jill continued in the emotional 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!
“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.”
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