Jennifer Affleck Announces Surprise Pregnancy With Third Child

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Reality star Jennifer Affleck and husband Zac Affleck are expecting their third child together. The couple shared the news exclusively with PEOPLE on February 11, revealing that the pregnancy came as a surprise. “I was a few days late, and while it was a surprise, we both had a feeling there was another baby waiting for us,” said Jennifer. “We were very excited; there were a lot of emotions after a very crazy year!”

The new baby will join their children, son Lucas, who is 19 months old, and daughter Nora, aged 3. Jennifer mentioned that both children were “beyond excited” to learn they will have a new sibling. “Nora has been hoping for a little sister, and I can tell she really wants it to be a girl!” she noted, adding that she and Zac have decided to wait until delivery to find out the baby’s sex.

Jennifer shared her intuition about the baby’s gender, stating, “I have a strong feeling it’s a girl. I’ve dreamed about this little girl for a while now, and I truly believe she’s the one I’m carrying.” Despite her excitement, she also addressed the challenges that came with her third pregnancy, saying that it has been particularly taxing. “The first trimester was really challenging mentally and physically,” she explained. “I experienced all the symptoms—nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and mood swings. It’s definitely been chaotic, no doubt about it.”

Jennifer reflected on the stress of balancing motherhood, work, and her pregnancy journey, remarking that this experience has been more intense than her previous pregnancies. “I thought having two kids back-to-back was tough, but this has taken things to a whole new level. With the stress of work, motherhood, and the challenges that come with pregnancy, it’s been a lot,” she said. “On top of that, I had some strong cravings and aversions — all I wanted was pho and limes with salt!”

Since the debut of their reality series, *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, on Hulu last September, the Affleck couple has been in the spotlight, navigating both their relationship dynamics and public scrutiny. “Season 1 took a toll, not only on my marriage but also on my mental health,” said Jennifer. “There were many dark days. There’s so much more to our story than people realize.” She emphasized the importance of privacy as they work through their challenges. “While I’m not sharing all the details online, it’s been essential for our relationship and mental health to keep our journey private until we’re ready to talk about it,” she said.

As they prepare for the second season of their series, set to premiere in May, Jennifer is eager to find a balance during this momentous time. “Filming can be incredibly mentally draining, and adding pregnancy along with all the challenges I faced this last season was a big challenge. This pregnancy has been the toughest,” she admitted.

Nonetheless, she finds solace in the fact that her sister is also pregnant after years of struggling with IVF. “We couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey together,” said Jennifer, noting that their parents are thrilled to be welcoming more grandchildren. “They love being grandparents, so this was the perfect surprise for them,” she added.

Having grown up in a large family, Jennifer has always dreamed of having a sizable family of her own. “I’ve always dreamed of a big family, and seeing that dream come true is both exciting and fulfilling,” she said. “It can be daunting to think about raising three babies while pursuing my career, but I want to show women and mothers that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, no matter how unrealistic it may seem.”

Looking ahead, Jennifer is determined to prepare for her upcoming delivery. “I’m aiming for an unmedicated and natural birth, something I’ve been preparing for and working towards. I want to prove to myself how strong I am and what my body is capable of,” she expressed.

As she navigates this chapter of her life, gratitude and excitement bolster her journey. “I couldn’t have navigated this chapter of life without the support of my family, my therapist, and God!” she concluded.