Friday, July 5, 2019

Annabell's Delivery


Two days ago, we shared the devastating news about Joy-Anna and Austin’s baby, Annabell Elise. The technician didn’t find a heartbeat at the couple’s 20-week ultrasound, and it was determined that Annabell had passed away. Joy delivered her tiny daughter, and she and Austin were able to spend precious moments holding her in the hospital.

Annabell Elise Forsyth's footprints

Joy’s best friend, Carlin (Bates) Stewart, traveled to be present for the delivery and did Joy’s hair and makeup for photos.

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

271 comments:

  1. So sorry for their loss!!! That was so sweet of Carlin to support Joy in that way!

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    1. I agree, such a gem of a friend.

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  2. Oh my! This post just overwhelms me. My heart is aching for them. The only consolation is that this precious baby is in the arms of Jesus, and this precious family knows Jesus & doesn't grieve as those without hope. They will see her and hold her again. My thoughts and prayers are with Joy, Austin and Gideon, as well as their families during this very difficult time.

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  3. I hope you guys find peace and comfort during this difficult time. GOD bless

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  4. Joy's face! 😭 Having to go through labor, knowing that outcome . . . It must be one of the hardest of life's experiences.

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    1. This was my choice at the time, same gestational age, same ultrasound visit, same devastating news. I also delivered to see, say good-bye to & grieve for my lost baby. JoyAnna said it best; life is fragile, but I believe we'll meet again in Heaven. Prayers & heartfelt condolences. ❤

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    2. It most definitely is!! I have had to go through it 3 times at that stage. And the labor pain is pretty much equivalent to full term delivery just minus the burning from crowning is absent. But you have the heart wrenching agony of knowing that you won’t have a living baby after all that... And then to top it off, your body doesn’t know that your baby died, so it produces milk ta boot!!! And you can’t pump cuz then your body thinks you’re feeding a baby, so you live with majorly engorged breasts, and severe pain with that as well.... So yes, it’s so terrible all around you don’t wish it on your worst enemy...

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  5. Sorry for your loss.

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  6. Sweet joyann... your precious Annabelle was greeted by her aunt jubilee at those pearly gates of heaven... she will forever be your guardian angel...fly high sweet annabelle...

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  7. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.

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  8. I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you both, during this time of mourning.

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  9. Oh wow her little feet were the size of a quarter... she is in a better place.

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  10. My deepest sympathies to you.

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  11. So sorry that this has happened. I personally have never had a miscarriage or any threats to my 3 pregnancy's but I can only imagine how devastating that would be. I pray that our Heavenly Father with hold their precious Annabelle in His arms.

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  12. While I feel horrible for their loss, I'm not sure that they had to share those pictures. It is a very private moment, and they probably needed to do it privately.

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    1. I have many friends who have lost babies and posted the same exact pictures. These are the only ones they’ll ever have with their baby so they wanted to share them. Honestly, why would even complain about that, it does not effect you in any way.

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    2. It is such an excruciating loss, it is extremely difficult to go through only privately. I have experienced it 3 times.

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    3. I'm sure they had their private moments

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  13. Joy-Anna and Austin,
    My deepest sympathies to both of you. My God keep you and hold you in his hands during this very sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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    1. Maybe it's their way of expressing that her short life mattered. I don't think it's right to criticize people who are grieving.

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    2. Sorry, my comment was meant for a different place.

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  14. My prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you in this time.

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  15. Sorry for your loss. Praying for each of you. Love the name and its meaning. She was beautiful.

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  16. I feel honoured that joy has shared this beautiful picture of Annabell with complete strangers. Always remember how beautiful your daughter is & the precious moments you shared as a family. My heart breaks that a young girl your age has had to go through this Joy. I always think new mother’s look radiant after giving birth, but I have never seen so poignant a picture of both maternal radiance & abject pain in the face of a young grieving mother. I continue to keep you, Austin, Gideon & of course Annabell in my prayers morning & night. You have showed great strength in allowing this very private & special of moments be shared with us. God bless you joy.

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  17. So sorry for your loss.

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  18. So sorry for your loss.

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  19. I'm sure nobody cares how her hair and make up are but I suppose it's just a nice gesture on Carlin's side to show she's there for her at such a traumatic time,I'm sure she gave emotional support also but I would'nt care if her hair was messy and sweaty in the photo it's understandable,so sorry the family is going through such heartbreak,praying for healing.

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    1. I think she probably wanted to look nice since these are the only pictures they’ll ever have with Annabell. I can completely understand that, my friends went through the same thing, and her friend did her hair and makeup for her and took pictures.

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    2. Yes, I think it was a way for Carlin to show love and support to her friend.

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    3. This is the only nice professional photo she will ever get with her daughter!! Give it up!!

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    4. So heartbreaking.. Praying for Joy's young family in this difficult time...

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  20. So sorry, Austen & Joy.....Annabelle safe in the arms of Jesus. What a hard time for you both, but know your faith will see you thru.

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  21. So So Sorry God Be with you both. Your little Angel is in the Arms of the Lord and you will see her again Prayers God Bless

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  22. carlin is such a beautiful person. it doesnt surprise me she would be right beside joy to help her and austin through this tragedy. my heart goes out to them all

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  23. Rest in peace little Annabelle 😇 may you give peace to your family knowing you are watching over them from above.

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  24. Poor Joy...that must be devastating.

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  25. I’ve never seen a photo as poignant, heart wrenching and raw. I love that you and Austin had the opportunity to hold your precious daughter. God bless.

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  26. I'm so sorry for the passing of your baby. Your grief is unimaginable but why do you need your hair and makeup done for photos? Just curious.

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    1. Would you not want to feel beautiful when posing with your daughter? Especially knowing this is the only time you will ever have a picture with her? A stillborn child is still a baby who has just been born. When she looks back at these pictures in later years, she wants to see happiness and the gift of life, not just the pain of losing it.

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    2. Perhaps Carlin offered to help make Joy feel a bit better. Joy doesn't strike me as the vain type.

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    3. It’s quite normal, I’m a nurse and some hospitals will provide someone to take free photos and even someone to do your hair and makeup. It helps the grieving process and often mamas that take pictures with their hair and makeup done say it helped them grieve. And this is the only chance they will get to take any pictures with their baby, they will never get another chance. Iv seen so many mothers tell me they regretted taking pictures and looking nice in the pics

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    4. They call it a stillborn shoot, so that you have beautiful pictures to remember her by. I wouldn't put photos a few random made photo's where my hair and all would be messed up etc (after delivery) in a frame either!

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    5. They're the only photos they will ever take with their precious baby, I would imagine she wanted to look her best.

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  27. I can't believe they would share this photo with us, it being so very personal, but my heart is truly sorrowful for them, especially seeing the terrible look of pain and tears on Joy's face. These poor, poor parents.

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    1. I have many friends who have lost babies and they took pictures and posted them on social media too. They are the only ones she’ll ever have, she can do whatever she wants.

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    2. I have many friends who have lost babies and they took pictures and posted them on social media too. They are the only ones she’ll ever have, she can do whatever she wants.

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  28. It’s just so horribly sad to see the grief. I cannot fathom all that Joy and Austin felt at that moment. But to touch and hold her and tell her you will always love her and say good by must have been a blessing, albeit terribly sad. “The Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.”

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  29. That picture breaks my heart. Losing a child, no matter the size or age, is one of the greatest trials a family can go through. Sending love their way.

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  30. Praying for Joy-Anna and Austin! What heartbreaking news!

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  31. Yoy have my deepest sympathies...so so sorry for this incredible loss of your daughter.

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  32. Awww :,( so sorry for your loss of your precious baby girl.

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  33. Heartbreaking photo. I'm so sorry that Joy and Austin have to suffer through something as painful as this, at such a young age and so early in their marriage. But I know they are surrounded by love and support, and God's love. I'm praying for them. Sooo sweet of Carlin Bates to come to her friend's side.

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  34. Joy and Austin,
    My heart goes out to you in this time of grief. You are in my prayers. May God continue to sustain and comfort you through His Word and your families.
    Sarah I

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  35. I'm at a loss for words. I can't come up with any words of condolence other than I'll be praying for them and that they see Annabell one day.

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  36. First and foremost this picture is heartbreaking. The anguish on Joy's face is palpable. If anyone doubts that this a baby all you should have to look at is those little feet with five little toes. Powerful picture.

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  37. I’ve heard how important it is for the couple to hold their baby, take pictures and make memories, I imagine it is very difficult though. Praying they are blessed with strength and courage to walk through this tragedy. Peace be with them.

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  38. OMG heartbreaking..I'm so sorry!

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  39. Bless all their hearts..that is one of the worst things to happen to a woman..may they find comfort and may they hold on to each other and be strong..

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  40. I’m so sad. I am so sorry for your loss Joy and Austin. And Gideon. Annabelle is with Jesus and Grandma but I know that you must be devastated. Many will be praying for you and for God‘s comfort to be very real to you at this time. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.
    I encourage you to go to a Christian grief class. God will help you! Trust in Him✝️🙏❤️I am so sad and so sorry, I’m sure that she is beautiful.

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  41. Absolutely breaks my heart. Love and prayers to you.

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  42. It was sweet of Carlin to not only travel to be by her friend’s side but also offer to do her hair and makeup. I doubt Joy had the energy or willpower to do her own hair and makeup but I’m sure it made her a little better to be pampered after going through such a tragedy.

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  43. I am so sorry for your loss, I had my daughter in 2002, in October of 2004 I found out I was pregnant with my son, I was high risk, there were different factors involved, in Feb of 2005 after numerous ultrasounds,at 6 months pregnant it was discovered he would not live at birth...I delivered him, got to hold him and sent him to the angels...truth be told I can sit here and say how sorry I am, I can give you all the words in the world. but there are no words that will help you get thru, the one and only thing I can do is let you know you are not alone! Greive as YOU want too!! Heaven has a lot of angels looking out for all of us!!! Tania

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    1. Tania ----- I am so very sorry for your loss.

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  44. I LOVE U JOY, DO U KNOW THAT, AND U ARE STRONG!!!!!!!!!! I am sad, that this happen to U, and my heart's out to U!!!!!!! I love U 3

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  45. God bless your sweet little girl and may he comfort you though this tough time.

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  46. Those are beautiful precious pictures, full of pure emotion. Thank you for sharing that with us! Our prayers are with you Joy and Austin and the rest of the families. May you find comfort in God! Love from the Netherlands🙏💕

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  47. I'm so glad you were able to hold your sweet baby girl. It doesn't make your loss any easier but it allows you to send her to heaven with sweet kisses and love. My prayers are with you.

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  48. So sorry. Understand your pain. At 30 wks I was told our baby would die any day. He survived till the due date, and died during labor. I understand the value of spending time with the body of an infant. We even took photos and made a Memory Box like our other kids. A book I was given proved very helpful: Empty Arms by Pam Vredevelt. Let yourselves feel the pain and cry; that's the way to healing.

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    1. So very sorry for your loss!

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  49. It normal for some pregnancies to not go to term, but still sad.

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    1. It's also normal to get pneumonia and die. That was a heartless statement.

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    2. It’s not as normal after 3 months

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    3. I miscarried fairly early and the sadness and questioning why it happened never really goes away.

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  50. The image of Joy holding her baby Annabell while looking heart broken is so hard to see. I understand wanting to have pictures of her baby and something to look back on. I’m praying for Joy and Austin. This year will be hard watching Lauren, Amy, Kendra all having baby girls the month she was due

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  51. I have been through this twice. My heart breaks for Joy and Austin.

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  52. Annabell is a beautiful, much loved, daughter. I am so very sorry Joy-Anna and Austin.

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  53. Anna, Jessa, Kendra,and particularly Lauren(we know you had a miscarriage, and while very sad not remotely the same as being able to hold your child)please be extra sensitive to Joy-Anna. As your baby girls are born, and being born, she will rejoice with you, but her heart is breaking because her Annabelle isn’t in her arms. I know. I’ve experienced the same.

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    1. I don’t think her sister in laws need you to tell them how to act🙄

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    2. I am very sorry for your loss.

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    3. What, exactly, do you want them to do to show they are being extra sensitive? This is an honest question.

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    4. Good advice. I’m sure all the girls understand this. They seem very sweet and sensitive. But I’m glad you said it.

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    5. They didnt even read this... I font know why are you given her this "advices" about how to act

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  54. why would you want to blast such a private matter over socal media? that should be a private matter sorry for your loss

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    1. Who gets to determine what is private? This is the death of their child, they can share whatever they wish, and keep to themselves what ever they wish.

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    2. There are no "shoulds" in grief. I have seen other, non-famous people do the same. If there is a small amount of comfort in giving this small tribute to their baby, let them.

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    3. Why not? I am sure her pregnancy was filmed for the show. Do you think they can just suddenly say nothing and no baby ever shows up? There is no reason to hide what happened. Sharing helps some people deal with the grief. Everyone is different.

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    4. Really? That is a personal decision and one I don't think we have the right to judge.

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    5. Sharing a few pictures out of their time of grief is not blasting. I think it's a way to help process the grief, honestly. I've seen other people do it in a similar way both with lost babies and other loved ones. When a person is grieving, it's kinder to let them handle it without our sideline criticism. Just let them be.

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    6. Joy grew up in the public eye and has shared all major events of her life with the public. I suspect she didn't want this baby brushed under the rug as if she didn't exist. While this may not be how everyone would cope with the loss of a child, I don't think it is surprising that they chose to share this.

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    7. It is helpful for grieving parents to share their pain. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It helps to erase the stigma of pregnancy loss.

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    8. Your truly sorry that's why you yelled at them

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  55. May the love you share for God and each other hold you in the peace of the knowledge, that your child is being held in Mary’s arms. She will care for her until you see her again. Prayers.

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    1. Mary?? She is in God's arms!

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    2. Thank you for your post Hollie. Mary is indeed our Blessed Mother and cares for all the babies in heaven ❤️
      Sometimes people forget how important Jesus' Mother is, especially in the eyes of Jesus and God.

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  56. Aww. So sad. Do they keep her and you know put her in the niku??

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    1. I assume you mean "NICU". What exactly do you propose a neo-natal intensive care unit could do for a stillborn child?

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    2. Duggar fan. Sometimes stillborn babies are put in something called a cold cot, this is so mummy & daddy can spend longer time with their baby before saying goodbye. The baby is usually kept in a very special room with teddies & a crucifix & rocking chairs for parents to sit & cradle baby. It’s a very beautiful, peaceful & often spiritual environment. This is what happens in the UK at my hospital, & I hope you have something similar in America. No precious baby born sleeping is ever put in the NICU.

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    3. Of course not, a still born means not born alive. The babies only go to NICU if they have a chance of surviving.

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    4. She passed away in Joy's womb and she delivered her already dead...20 weeks old baby even if healthy wouldnt survive anyway, but this is not the case

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    5. What is a niku?

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    6. ???? Why would they put her in the NICU???? The NICU is for babies born early who need special care.

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    7. No. She is deceased.

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    8. No. I’m sorry. She is gone and won’t be needed the niku. That’s a good question though. It’s all just so sad.

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  57. I am thankful for all the support that Joy and Austin have at this difficult time. A number of my friends have delivered babies that were no longer living or passed away shortly after birth. The loss of a child, even before birth is very painful.

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  58. Heart breaking, Joy's expression is just so hard to watch. May the Lord give your family peace and comfort you in this grieving time. May your family find strength in each other.

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  59. I am so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine what you and your family are going through at this time. You are in my prayers.

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  60. I am very sorry for Joy's loss: I hope that she is able to recover from this both physically and mentally. I hope, furthermore, that she realizes that she does not have to share her loss and her grief publicly. If somebody needs to do your hair and make-up in order to make some 'pretty' mourning pictures, that goes a step too far. Cry, scream, be as 'ugly' as necessary in order to find healing, don't bother your public image!

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    1. I had a stillborn daughter. I also did my hair and make-up. They were the only family pictures I would have before burying my daughter. If you haven’t experienced it I suggest you stop judging.

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    2. I have friends who have lost babies and they also put on makeup and had their hair done for the only pictures they will ever have with their baby. It has nothing to do with “public image”.

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    3. The make-up and hair were a gesture from her friend,it does'nt make any difference to her healing but at least she felt loved by the gesture and I'm sure Carlin also gave her emotional support and I'm sure during the make-up session they were talking about her feelings and what she just went through not talking make-up,I mean do you see grieving people walking out of the house looking a mess?anyway Joy would not have done it herself but why should she turn down her friends kind gesture,when my grandma lost her son my mother did everything for her including pampering her,its the little things that help with the healing.

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    4. It does not go too far for her to want to be pretty!! How inconsiderate and rude of you. These are her memories with her daughter. She wants them to be as beautiful as she would if Annabell was breathing in her arms. It has nothing to do with her public image. It has to do with many years from now when she looks back at these pictures, Joy doesn't want to see herself screaming and crying. She doesn't want to see the pain and the horror. She wants to see her daughter.

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    5. I don't usually criticize the Duggars, but I agree with you on this matter.

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    6. I thought the exact same things.

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    7. Don't assume so much. Maybe Carlin offered.

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    8. WOW!!!! You obviously haven’t gone through anything like this!!!

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    9. No big deal. I am sure this was Carlin's idea as Joy has never been big one to worry about her image. I am sure they just wanted some good pictures to look back on.

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    10. They have the right to choose to share and they obviously wanted to. Leave it!

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    11. It probably made her feel better

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    12. Maybe she was crying and had swollen eyes and a red nose before Carlin offered to do her hair and make-up. Maybe she wanted pictures because she will have so little to remember her baby by. Maybe she wanted to share a couple of those pictures, none of which actually show the baby, to help memorialize her baby. Maybe she already realizes the things you mentioned, and chose what she wanted to do.

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    13. I didn't interpret her getting her hair and makeup done as being for the public. I assumed that since these will be the only pictures she has with the baby, she simply wanted to look nice in them.

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    14. This will be shown on an upcoming episode of Counting On so we will know how heart broken they are.

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    15. I think you never heard of stillborn photoshoot? For some parents it is very important that they have beautiful pictures to remember their baby by. You wouldn't put the 'ugly' ones in a frame either I guess? I truly don't think they did that just for public eye.

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    16. Why do you even care if she get her makeup or hair done? Please dont give advices that nobody its asking you. Show some respect

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  61. I only know them from TV, yet the loss of their baby has truly saddened me and they have been on my mind ever since hearing the news. To have to go through labor and delivery, already knowing the outcome-- my heart goes out to them. Carlin Bates is a loving and generous friend to travel there to support Joy and Austin during this very sad time. I would be so grateful to have a friend like that.

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  62. Sending so much love and healing wishes to Joy <3

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  63. So terribly sorry for this devastation, Duggar Family....

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  64. Please, some things should be kept private!

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    1. And who are you to determine that? Why should they keep the life of their daughter private? If you have children, did you share pictures of them when they were born? Or is that different because you perceive them as more important and legitimate than Annabell? She is their daughter. She was born. They are celebrating her life and memorializing her at the same time. Don't be so rude and self-centered. They shouldn't be forced to pretend their baby didn't exist or to grieve in silence without support to make you more comfortable.

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    2. There are few ways they can memorialize this life that was so precious to them. Let them do what they feel will bring a small amount of comfort.

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    3. Then don't look!

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    4. Says you, not them if this is what helps the grieve.

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    5. They are on tv so the fans need to see this. And they can and should help other people.

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    6. They don’t have to do what do what makes you more comfortable.

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    7. Why? Because it makes you uncomfortable? This is their baby; their life. Ups and downs. Their story to tell or not to tell. It’s not about you.

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    8. Maybe we should realize that not everyone is going to handle things the way we would and give others leeway, most especially when they are grieving.

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  65. So sorry for your loss! My family will be remembering you all in our prayers for strength over the coming days and beyond! God Bless!

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  66. Very sad. I don’t know if this consoles them but they will see Annabell in heaven with Jesus. I hope this tragedy draws them closer to our Lord.

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    1. 1:09. I have been through this. My daughter was stillborn in my 8th month of pregnancy. As a Christian I knew I would see her, but saying these things immediately after is not helpful. We need to give it time.

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  67. So so so sad😭😭😭😭😭😭

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  68. So sad. This picture is precious. Rest in peace baby girl Annabell Elise. Another Angel has gained her wings. Please accept our sympathy and prayers.
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

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    1. I think the picture is not in good taste. A picture of stillborn baby is not appropriate.

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    2. 5:18. I have family pictures with my stillborn daughter. Who are you to say what is not in good taste regarding photos of a Mother and Father with their baby...even while grieving. Grow up.

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    3. @ 5:18,Well,we can't see the baby,Jill made sure to cover her with her hand and for people who complain about them showing the photo to the public do you realise we are going to see this or something similar on Counting on,they are on a show in which they are obliged to show all the milestones in their lives and they want to because we fans are their friends who can share the oain along with their other friends like Carlin and many others,I feel honoured to be their "friend" I just wish I could be there to confort them.

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    4. Appropriate for who? Who are you to tell grieving parents how to memorialize the child they lost? They are very much in the public eye and know that there are millions who are very invested in their lives and have been since Joy was a little girl. Sharing this with them IS appropriate. A stillborn baby is no different than a baby born living. It is their child and these are the only images they will ever have of their daughter. Your delicate nature doesn't speak for everyone. Many find this a beautiful and moving reminder of the precious gift of life, and validation for grief and love for a child who didn't get to stay on this Earth.

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    5. Why not it's still her child. That like if a child dies from something different and parents have pictures if that child around. Is that not appropriate? Like someone said it's her dream and her love that died.

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    6. 5:18PM - Why would the picture not be in good taste? Or inappropriate? It is their child, plain and simple. No one is forcing you to look at it, so if it bothers you don't. My son was still born at 30 weeks and a dear friend of mine who is a photographer came to the hospital to take pictures. You cannot imagine how cherished those pictures are. Rather than having a lifetime of photos of my son taking his first steps, smashing his first birthday cake, going to school, getting married, etc I have maybe 50 pictures of him. Those are all I have to last a lifetime without him until I see him again in heaven. To criticize anyone in the depths of grief and utter, unimaginable heartbreak, is not only cruel, but uncalled for. I think the old adage "if you don't have something nice to say..." should be put into action here. My heart breaks for Joy and Austin, and I hope they take the time to grieve however and for however long they need to. It takes time. May our Heavenly Father's peace and comfort be with them now and always.

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    7. People have been taken pictures for over for years of loved ones that past away. Why does it bother you? If you don't like keep scrolling

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    8. Well you can't see the baby at all. We only know what's she's hosting because she told us.

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    9. 5:18, this was done tastefully. You cannot see the baby. No doubt there were pictures that they kept for themselves

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    10. Why is not appropriate? You can’t see the baby. Is it because it makes you uncomfortable? As a mother of a stillborn baby it makes me uncomfortable when people want us to hide our baby. We want people to see our baby, to recognize that our baby exsisted. This is apart of how we heal, it’s how we build our support system, it’s how we honor our baby’s life. If I had would have had to hide my grief and my son, I think I would have lost my mind. Until you have been in our shoes and had to birth the dead body of your baby that you were expecting to bring home, until you have to be wheeled out of the maternity floor without your baby, you have no right to say that a picture of a stillborn is not appropriate.

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    11. You can’t actually see the baby!

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    12. Please be quiet if you never lost a child

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    13. Your wrong 5:18. It's an important way to honor their daughter. It is also helpful to remind people that a "fetus" is really a detached way of saying baby. This can help some to stop denying this is a baby.

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    14. It doesn't look like a still born baby. Many photographers take photos of babies who were still born because it's the only pic they will ever have. That baby existed and he or she have the right to be with his or her parents in a photo to go on the mantel! End of story!

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    15. It didnt show a thing, only her clothes, so what are you even talking about? Their opinion and how they choose to grieve is what best for them, not you.✝️

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    16. No, the pictures are beautiful. It's their only memory with their daughter and it's sweet they share it with fans. You see barely Anabell self anyway

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    17. You can barely see the baby in their arms 5:18.

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    18. In this picture you can't even see the baby so how is it in bad taste?

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    19. A matter of opinion and I don't think the baby is seen clearly. I think it's more a matter of the family's grief.

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    20. It's not a picture of a stillborn baby, it's a picture of grieving family members. You cannot see Annabell in the picture at all.

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    21. @5:18- I guess what's considered appropriate is in the eyes of the beholder. We're living in a much different age than even 10 or 15 years ago. With the world at our fingertips, people post personal things on social media, no matter how private some might feel they should remain.

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    22. You actually can't really see the baby in any of the pictures they posted. I'm sure they took pictures in which you can see her, and they kept those private. Everyone grieves differently, and I suspect having these pictures will help them heal. As Joy grew up in the public eye, it's not surprising that she shared these publicly. Personally, I feel that sharing these tastefully done pictures helps combat the stigma of miscarriage and stillbirth.

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    23. And you need to troll elsewhere! You nor anyone else have the right to judge a mother in mourning!! All I have of my son are pictures like that!

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    24. Judging grieving parents is not in good taste. A stillborn baby is still a precious gift from God and they have every right to share her.

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    25. Appropriate according to whom?

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    26. Replying to 5:18 PM. MO- I agree with you. If Joy and her husband wanted a picture taken that's fine, but that's a very personal moment / family only situation in my opinion. Very different-

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    27. It is a healthy part of the grieving process to acknowledge that the baby lived, even if just 20 weeks inside the mother. It’s also a way for grieving parents to share with the world their child that the world never new. Having a still birth is an extremely emotional experience it’s a mixture of joy for meeting your child and sadness knowing that it is the only time you’ll ever hold them.

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    28. I had a still born and I love the pictures we took. It would be so sad not to have them preserved.

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    29. It’s a picture of their daughter, Annabell. Nothing inappropriate about that.

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    30. It's not like you an actually "see" her. I'm sure they have more pictures of her that they didn't post for that reason. They picked the most tasteful pictures you can have at a time like that. I think they are lovely pictures that will be cherished forever! So sorry for your loss! 🙏

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    31. I think that publicly criticizing someone who has just lost a child is tasteless and inappropriate.

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    32. Anon 8.50. I really hope people take note of your comment. No mother should have to hide her baby just because some people are too sensitive to want to see pictures. Every baby whether born healthy, or sleeping is important & special. I agree there is nothing more difficult that birthing a baby that you know is not going to live, & then leaving the hospital without your beautiful child. I am fortunate that I have personally never gone through such devastation, but I have cried with & comforted more mums than I wish I ever had to, go through this tragic loss. Sharing pictures & talking about your child is vital to help you heal, I just wish more ignorant people could see how important it is to share those feelings. I am glad you have pictures of your son & you were able to share them with a family who have supported you through your own very sad loss.

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  69. Such a sad thing to happen. Prayers for comfort.

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  70. Just so sorry to hear about the loss of Annabell. I will keep Joy and Austin and family in my prayers.

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  71. My prayers are with you all. My first 2 marriages I lost 15 children through miscarriages. Rest on Him.

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  72. One of the greatest joys of a Christian is knowing we'll be reunited with our babies in heaven. I'm so happy that they have that to look forward to.

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  73. Prayers for Joy and Austin. So very sorry for their loss.

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  74. Sorry for the loss of your sweet baby girl prayers for you knowing you will see her again one day brings some peace

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  75. Sooo sorry. Praying that peace floods you with His arms wrapped around you through each night and holds you up during each day. May His touch of comfort be felt in Jesus name, amen

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  76. for those of you bashing joy for having her hair and make-up done: these are the only pictures she will ever have with annabell. ever. it is not vain, it is not selfish and is not in bad taste. in 20 years, she'll be glad she did!! when my preemie son died, the hospital encouraged us to do the same and i'm glad we did. they also took pictures for us and held them until we were ready for them. at first i thought it was kind of morbid but they explained that many women regret not having taken any pictures later on and this is all they'll ever get. i promise, she'll never forget the pain of losing annabell, give her a break with the pictures

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  77. I'm so sorry for your loss, hold onto each other. Much love from Nevada.

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  78. I am not sure what photo people are referring to that they see the baby in. I only see one photo and all I can see is the blanket and a teddy bear face. How is it in poor taste if you don't even see it at all? It's such a sad loss but they as the parents are free to take or post whatever photos they like. Those who find it distasteful may choose not to look at them.

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  79. Joy and Austin, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Please remember that everyone grieves differently and don't feel guilty for any feelings that either of you have. God be with you, Ruth

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  80. Those photos are heartbreaking. Such a young couple and yet they share such a strong testimony to god. I find that humbling that they do so in such a hard times. God holds Annabell Elise in his arms now. X

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  81. What a beautiful gesture from her friend! Such a small thing to be concerned about at such a time but Joy-Anna will probably remember and cherish that forever, as she will her photos. My heart goes out to them. The looks on their faces are just heartbreaking.

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  82. My heart is mourning with you. We too lost a baby, a girl, at 33 weeks. May Jesus comfort you daily.

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  83. A beautiful mama holding her precious beautiful baby. This picture says a thousand words, thank you for sharing the photo. I will be praying for Joy, Austin and Gideon.

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  84. Annabell will be the star of your night
    And Gideon the joyous light of your day

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  85. Sorry for your loss Joy and Austin. May God comfort you both. Carlin and Evan are the best friends anyone could ask for. I like the way they are there for Joy and Austin.

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  86. When wil this be on tv? I like to watch it. She can help other women. Be a role model and Christian.

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  87. What a heartbreaking experience for Joy and Austin! 💔

    For those being critical of Carlin doing Joy’s hair and make up, it doesn’t say Joy asked her to do that. I doubt Joy thought much about it, and if she WAS going to ask someone, she wouldn’t have asked someone from that far away. It was very thoughtful of Carlin to come. I’ve lost 4 babies, and the photos we took after their births are very precious. While certainly not something you’d send out as a Christmas card, those pictures are all you have and they are so important!! I would have personally loved to have someone do that (what Carlin did) for me! Allowing someone to do your hair and makeup doesn’t mean you aren’t grieving. It’s a way to honor the child by showing how special and precious they are. Either way (hair and makeup done or not) is fine, neither shows more or less love. When you’re grieving, you can’t think straight and sometimes you really need people to just volunteer to do something for you. Once, a friend with a great camera volunteered to take photos of the private burial service of one of our babies. She also brought a tree along to plant in our baby’s honor. Those photos and that tree are so special! But I would have never thought to ask someone to take photos or to buy us a tree. Cheers to Carlin for being such a good friend!!

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  88. The people who are criticizing Joy and Carlin for making Joy look pretty are just wrong and mean. What is wrong with a little special treatment for Joy to cheer her up? Is looking at a disheveled appearance going to make her feel better? Do we attend funerals in a wild and uncombed manner? I am happy she had someone to pamper her a little in her moment of grieving and despair as she had to give birth to Annabell. Haters be gone.

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  89. I agree with you,people just want something to critisize,Carlin just did it to show her love and support,I mean some people make it sound like she got the curlers out and spent hours on make-up while chatting about fashion,they were talking about her feelings while brushing her hair and applying a little eyeshadow,I don't even see any lipstick on her,and thank you for defending her op.

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  90. Oops,that was meant to be a reply to op 4:02 pm.

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  91. I'm sorry for them… Toutes mes condoléances
    Géraldine

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