Chrissy Teigen tentatively shares pregnancy following baby loss: 'I breathe a sigh of relief to hear a heartbeat'

Watch: Chrissy Teigen pregnant

Chrissy Teigen says she is “feeling hopeful and amazing” as she tentatively announces her pregnancy almost two years after experiencing baby loss.

The TV presenter and her husband John Legend, tragically lost their third child, a boy named Jack, in September 2020, due to a pregnancy complication, and opened up about their heartbreak on social media at the time.

But the cookery writer has now revealed the happy news that she and Legend are expecting a rainbow baby (a term used to describe a child born after the parents have experienced pregnancy loss) following the death of their son.

Sharing an image of herself to Instagram in a cropped black t-shirt and sheer high-waisted briefs, which revealed her growing baby bump, Teigen described her initial hesitancy about announcing her news.

“The last few years have been a blur of emotions to say the least, but joy has filled our home and hearts again," she wrote.

“1 billion shots later (in the leg lately, as u can see!) we have another on the way. Every appointment I’ve said to myself, ‘ok if it’s healthy today I’ll announce’ but then I breathe a sigh of relief to hear a heartbeat and decide I’m just too nervous still.

“I don’t think I’ll ever walk out of an appointment with more excitement than nerves but so far, everything is perfect and beautiful and I’m feeling hopeful and amazing. Ok phew it’s been very hard keeping this in for so long!”

Read more: 12 celebrities who have opened up about miscarriage and stillbirth

Both friends and followers were quick to offer their congratulations to Chrissy Teigen including Pam and Tommy star Lily James who commented with four love-heart emojis, while Queer Eye’s Tan France said: “Yay!! I’m so, so happy for you guys, love.”

"What welcome, happy news!" actor Jennifer Garner added.

Meanwhile others said hearing the family's news had given them hope.

"This makes my heart happy for sooo many reasons," one user wrote. "This gives me hope. i love you guys!!! congratulations!!"

Read more: John Legend says his relationship with Chrissy Teigen was 'tested' after miscarriage

In September last year Teigen and singer husband John Legend marked one year since she suffered the loss of their baby boy after being taken to hospital with excessive bleeding during pregnancy.

Teigen shared heart-rending photographs from the hospital in 2020, including one showing her and Legend saying goodbye to the son they named Jack.

At the time Teigen said suffering a pregnancy loss in September 2020 was “the greatest pain I could ever imagine”.

The couple have spoken publicly about their fertility issues and their third child was the first conceived without IVF, though Teigen’s latest post seemingly indicates they have returned to the fertilisation process.

The couple are already parents to daughter Luna, six, and son Miles, four.

Read more: Helplessness, loneliness and grief: How men are impacted by miscarriage

Other celebrities who have experienced baby loss and miscarriage

Teigen and Legend join a growing number of celebrities opting to share their personal experience of baby loss and miscarriage in the hope of breaking the silence that still exists surrounding the subject and helping others feel less alone.

In May this year Jessie J shared the heartbreaking details of her miscarriage for the first time, revealing how her baby had died within three hours of two scans the same day and that she'd "never felt more lonely" in her life.

Meghan Markle has also previously been praised for helping to break down the stigma surrounding miscarriage.

The Duchess of Sussex revealed she suffered a miscarriage two years ago, in a deeply personal article about the loss and pain of 2020.

Binky Felstead also recently shared her heartbreak about the miscarriage she experienced when she was almost 12 weeks pregnant.

More recently, Myleene Klass revealed in an interview about the heartbreaking experience of losing her baby while hosting a radio show.

And last year Louise Thompson was praised by a charity for shining a light on the taboos surrounding miscarriage and baby loss.

Tommy's, which funds loss prevention research, runs clinics for high risk pregnancies and a midwife helpline for parents, showed its support for the star, while also thanking her for publicly sharing her story.

“Louise Thompson’s heartbreaking story highlights that people can feel like parents and imagine their baby’s future from the moment they see a positive pregnancy test," says Tommy’s midwife Sophie King.

"And naturally want to share that excitement – but sadly for the one in four pregnancies that ends in loss, the taboo Louise mentioned can mean people don’t talk as openly when those hopes and dreams are taken away.

"That silence can lead grieving parents to struggle with terrible guilt and shame, so it’s good that Louise understands this wasn’t her fault and has found the support network she needs at such a difficult time."

Read more: Why miscarriages occur, the mental health impact and the support available

Miscarriage and baby loss in the UK

Around one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage (one in five only counting those who realised/reported the miscarriage) and about one in 100 women in the UK experience recurrent miscarriages (three or more in a row), Tommy's Pregnancy Hub reports.

However, for those who have recurrent miscarriages, more than six in 10 women still go on to have a successful pregnancy.

Miscarriages can happen to anyone who is able to get pregnant. Most happen in the first three months of pregnancy, though they can occur up to the 24th week. Pregnancy loss after this point is known as stillbirth.

While miscarriage is very common, unfortunately most women don't find out what caused them to miscarry, with investigations limited and research underfunded. That's why in 2016, Tommy's opened the UK's first national centre dedicated to miscarriage research, to help prevent future loss.

As Teigen has expressed, miscarriages can be distressing emotionally and physically. If you or someone you know have been affected, you can call The Miscarriage Association's helpline on 01924 200799, email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk or visit its pregnancy loss forum, which is a safe, secure and friendly space to share thoughts, feelings and experiences with others.

You should also seek advice from your GP if you are struggling after miscarriage.

Further support

For more information and support you can also visit stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands UK.

Tommy’s provides pregnancy health information to parents.