Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines announced on Saturday that she and her husband Louis Barker were expecting their first child — a girl — due in September.
Gaines shared a photo of herself standing with Barker and one of her horses as she held up an ultrasound photo of the baby. “Surprise! Baby GIRL coming in September,” she posted, adding several baby-themed emojis. “God is so good all the time.”
Surprise! Baby GIRL coming in September.????????????????????????
God is so good all the time. pic.twitter.com/sPHphLmF6M
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 15, 2025
A fierce advocate for young girls and women — particularly in athletics — Gaines said she believed it was “providential” that she’d soon be bringing a young girl into the world.
“There’s something so special and providential about having a little girl,” Gaines said. “She’s everything I’ve been fighting for & the little girl we’ve prayed over for years ???? praise God!”
There’s something so special and providential about having a little girl.
She’s everything I’ve been fighting for & the little girl we’ve prayed over for years ???? praise God! https://t.co/nU2Mcecwc0
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 15, 2025
Gaines spoke about the pregnancy — and her daughter — during her appearance at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit as well.
“I feel this baby, this young girl kicking around in my stomach when I’m lying down to sleep at night. I see the baby’s tiny little hands, her tiny little feet on the ultrasound. I listen to her heartbeat ever since that first eight-week appointment,” she said. “And guess what? It’s just like yours and it’s just like mine.”
.@Riley_Gaines_ humanizes her unborn baby after announcing she’s pregnant
“I feel this baby, this young girl kicking around in my stomach when I’m lying down to sleep at night. I see the baby’s tiny little hands, her tiny little feet on the ultrasound. I listen to her heartbeat” pic.twitter.com/uYU4BNXcju
— Anna Lulis (@annamlulis) June 14, 2025