Duggars to hold funeral for miscarried child

ANN CURRY, co-host: Back now at 7:43. Just last month, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar , along with their 19 children, came on our broadcast to tell us that they were expecting their 20th child. Well, on Thursday, the Duggars announced that Michelle had had a miscarriage. Savannah Guthrie is joining us now with more on this. Hey, Savannah.

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE reporting: Good morning, Ann. Well, the Duggar family was busy deciding on baby names the night before they discovered the terrible news during a routine doctor's appointment.

CURRY: Good morning, everybody.

Duggar Family: Good morning.

GUTHRIE: Just one month ago, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar , their 19 children and two grandchildren appeared on TODAY to share their joyous news.

CURRY: Michelle , I'm almost a little afraid to ask. I understand you've got a big announcement this morning?

Ms. MICHELLE DUGGAR: Yes, we do. We really are excited. We are expecting our 20th child.

GUTHRIE: Thursday was supposed to be a good day. Michelle , in her second trimester, headed to the doctor's office with her husband, Jim Bob , for a routine checkup to find out the sex of the child. Instead, the doctor was unable to find a heartbeat and told the couple the bad news, that Michelle had miscarried. In an interview with People magazine , Michelle spoke about returning home to tell her children. She said, quote, "We had just been talking about baby names last night and were getting excited about naming a boy or a girl. It has been a real sad disappointment." She went on to say, "I feel like my heart broke telling my children. They have all been so excited about this baby and having a new little one in our arms. That was the most difficult." Thursday night, Jim Bob released a statement, thanking fans for their support. He wrote, quote, "We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, emails and outpouring of love. As our whole family is grieving, we also know that God promises to work all things for good in our lives." This is the second miscarriage for the 45-year-old mother of 19. She also suffered from pre-eclampsia during her last pregnancy in 2009 . Their most recent announcement sparked a passionate response over the Internet among those both questioning and defending the family's decision.

CURRY: Why isn't 19 enough for you?

Ms. DUGGAR: Well, we always have the motto around our house, "There's always room for one more ." And they are such a gift.

GUTHRIE: A gift they don't take for granted.

Ms. DUGGAR: The precious life that we see here is not a coincidence. I just know it is a miracle. And so I don't take that for granted. I know that God is the one who gives life. And I 'm just so grateful and thankful and we would welcome another if he saw fit, but we'll wait and see.

GUTHRIE: The Duggars say they will select a name for the lost baby after they find out whether it was a boy or a girl, and they do plan to hold a funeral