Jill Duggar Dillard Fears For Her Pregnancy Amid COVID-19 Diagnosis

Jill Duggar Dillard, of "19 Kids and Counting" fame, is thriving in her life away from reality TV cameras. Free from the restrictive rules of her childhood home, she's also happily married to Derick Dillard and enjoying life as a wife and mom. In February 2022, she announced that she and Derick are expecting their third child, after suffering a miscarriage last fall. Through her Instagram account, fans have learned that Dillard is in her second trimester, and while she had some food aversions earlier in her pregnancy, she felt well enough in early March to polish off a barbecued chicken sandwich and a generous side of potato salad.

Then, just days later, Dillard posted the photo seen here, along with the startling news that she and her husband are battling COVID-19: "Give me all the hot liquids and cough drops please!!" she wrote. "Derick & I tested + for covid for the first time and it's not fun!" She asked for advice on getting through the illness, as well as prayers for "quick recoveries and for baby to stay healthy too!" Fans responded with suggestions that included vitamin supplements, liquids, sunshine, and lots of rest. 

Dillard was apparently feeling well enough to cook, because she went on to post a photo of a homemade bone broth chicken soup that she put together to help in her recovery. Still, any illness during a pregnancy is concerning, and the Dillards recently revealed that they have a lot on their mind as they recover from the virus.

In an interview with TMZ, Jill and Derick Dillard updated readers on their health. Thankfully, they're both experiencing only mild symptoms of COVID-19, for which they credit their fully vaccinated status. Their young sons, Israel and Samuel, seem to have avoided the virus. Still, they told the outlet that they're concerned about what this illness could mean for Jill, who is expecting their third child in July. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID symptoms are more likely to occur in patients who are pregnant than in ones who aren't. Pregnant women are also at greater risk of delivering a preterm or stillborn baby. Having endured a miscarriage just a few months earlier, the Dillards are understandably anxious not to experience any more heartache. To prevent blood clots — another risk for pregnant women – Jill is taking baby aspirin on the advice of her doctor. (According to a National Institutes of Health report, ivermectin is not currently recommended as a COVID treatment for pregnant women.) She is also monitoring the baby's heart rate and activity level for any sign of distress. The long-term effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women aren't yet known, so the couple is also concerned about the possibility of Jill's health being compromised even months later. 

Jill apparently struggled with morning sickness during her first trimester, but reports that her food aversions have mostly subsided. She told TMZ that she's glad she didn't have to cope with both COVID and nausea at the same time. We wish the Dillards a speedy recovery and a healthy birth this summer.