Matt Howard is opening up about wife Abby Howard’s pregnancy loss for the first time.
“Before we get started, I just wanted to thank everybody for reaching out to Abby and I at this very challenging time,” Matt said on the Wednesday, October 1, episode of the couple’s “Unplanned Podcast,” adding that Abby was far enough along in her pregnancy that their baby could hear her voice. “She had a heartbeat. She had little hands, little fingers, little toes. We’re still processing that.”
He concluded, “Thank you for having patience with us at this time. This was a prerecorded episode that we decided to still share with you guys. Thank you so much for your thoughts and your prayers at this time.”
Matt and Abby announced their loss on Saturday, September 27, alongside a photo of the twosome holding hands.
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“It is with very heavy hearts that we share about the loss of our baby girl born far too soon,” the couple wrote via Instagram at the time. “At a routine pregnancy appointment, our doctor could not find a heartbeat. Shortly after they sent us in for an ultrasound where the technician said words we will never forget, ‘I am so sorry I do not have good news.’”
The statement continued, “That is when we got the gender reveal we never hoped for and also the news that our baby had a genetic condition that took her life around 17 weeks gestation.”
Matt and Abby wrote that the news “felt unimaginable” and the grief has been “absolutely devastating.”
“But we feel so much gratitude for the time that we did get to have with her. And we still have hope. Hope has continued to show up for us in so many ways,” the pair concluded. “For now we will grieve and continue to think of ways to honor her life offline. Thoughts and prayers are more than welcome. Thank you everyone for celebrating this precious life with us for the past 17 weeks.❤️.”
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Several influencers and celebrities sent their condolences to Matt and Abby in the comments section, including Emilie Kiser, who wrote, “I’m so incredibly sorry ❤️🩹 sending you love and comfort. Here for you.” (Kiser’s 3-year-old son, Trigg, died after being pulled unconscious from the family’s backyard pool in May.)
“I am so sorry, Abby. This is by far the hardest thing a mama (and dad) can go through,” Little People, Big World’s Tori Roloff wrote. “I am praying for your strength! It always comforted me to know the first face my baby saw was Jesus, and hopefully that comfort you too!! Love you friend.”
Matt and Abby, who have more than 5.3 combined TikTok followers, have documented their married life and parenting milestones through the years. The couple welcomed their first child, son Griffin, in 2022.
“Our whole world changed July 3, 2022 at 7:43 p.m.,” Abby wrote via Instagram at the time.
The next year, Matt and Abby welcomed son August. “August Jacob Howard 08/10/2023 8lbs 14oz 21in,” Abby wrote at the time. “The best little addition that we didn’t know we were ready for.”
The couple announced in August that they were expecting their third baby. “This pregnancy has felt different from my other two,” Abby told People at the time. “Lots of days I have to remind myself that I’m even pregnant and that this is really happening!”
