Congrats are in order! It was clearly love at first sight for Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner on Wednesday when they welcomed son Hayes Douglas into the world. People confirmed the exciting news of the arrival of the reality TV couple’s second child, whom they delivered at their New Jersey home with the help of a midwife and doula. The new addition weighed in at 9 lbs., 4 oz. and measured 21 inches at birth. He joins soon-to-be-three big sis Henley “Gracie” Grace.
Speaking to People after Hayes’ debut, Otis and Hehner gushed, “He’s so perfect. He looks just like big sister Gracie.” Seeing their baby boy for the first time was a longtime dream realized for the couple — they lost a son in utero in 2017, had a chemical pregnancy in 2018 and suffered a miscarriage at 10 weeks in 2019. “Doug instantly cried tears of joy. Our first baby was a boy, but we lost him at 17 weeks. Of course he loves our daughter, but he’s wanted a baby boy so badly for so long. This is truly an answered prayer for us,” Otis said.
Shortly after giving birth, the exhausted but ecstatic mama took to Instagram to express her gratitude, saying, “I want to thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers, positive vibes, & stick baby dust you sent me throughout my pregnancy with @babyboyhehner. I truly have the best FRANS! All of your love and support hasn’t gone unnoticed. And all that positive energy sprinkled out into the universe WORKED! He’s snuggling on my chest perfectly calm & content as I write this caption to you.”
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Otis revealed she had hoped to go “live” longer during the birth but that she was “in so much pain during contractions and this labor happened so fast.” Little Hayes made his debut in under six hours from the time labor began.
Hehner also took to social media to share his joy, specifically addressing what had been a big and difficult decision for the couple: having a home birth. Ultimately, due to the novel coronavirus and stringent hospital safety protocols that would have seen Otis giving birth alone, they opted to welcome Hayes at home.
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“So proud of @jamienotis for how unbelievably brave, amazing, determined, and loving she was today! It was an intense but somewhat magical day of bringing Hayes Douglas Hehner into the world, less than 6 ft from our bed,” Hehner wrote on Instagram. He continued, thanking their midwife and her assistant/doula, admitting, “It felt like the world was forcing us to make one of the most difficult decisions of our lives in having a home birth or going to a hospital… little did I know it would be one of the most memorable and happiest days of my life!”
Otis also shared a photo from the birth, revealing, “This picture was taken minutes before Jamie pushed him out, caught him in her arms, and brought him up to her chest to say hello for the first time!”
Congrats to Mama, Daddy and big sis Gracie on the new addition to the Otis-Hehner family.
Before you go, see which other celebs have welcomed babies this year.
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