At a Glance
- Hayley Hough and Derek Hough welcomed daughter Everley on Dec. 29 in a planned home birth.
- The couple faced multiple traumas over the past three winters, making the birth a pivotal moment.
- Their first home together became the backdrop for proposal, quarantine, marriage, and now a newborn.
Why it matters: The story highlights the emotional weight of home births amid personal hardships, offering insight into how families redefine milestones.
The Houghs’ journey to motherhood began in a way that felt both ordinary and extraordinary. On Dec. 29, they welcomed their daughter Everley Capri in a home birth that was carefully planned and deeply personal. The experience unfolded in their Los Angeles residence, a place that has held significant meaning for the couple.
The Birth: A Planned Home Delivery
The birth was not a hospital delivery; it was a deliberate choice to give birth at home. Because the setting was outside a medical facility, Hayley explained that she did not have the option of an epidural or any other pain management. Despite that limitation, she described the experience as “really so special,” noting that it was “very unique” and “empowering and beautiful.”
Derek, who has been by her side through the entire process, called the moment “wild” and “extraordinary.” He added that the atmosphere-candles, music, and a supportive environment-made the labor feel “unbelievably beautiful and powerful.” He reflected on the shift in perspective that watching his wife labor brought, saying, “Witnessing her labor was a life-altering perspective shift.”
The Experience: Quotes from the Houghs
During a recent News Of Los Angeles cover shoot at their home, both Houghs shared candid reflections. Hayley, 31, said, “You don’t know what sounds you can make until you have a child.” She added that the birth was “perfect in every way,” and she would not change a single second of it.
Derek, 40, echoed this sentiment. “We were really fortunate that we were able to do it at home,” he said. He highlighted the emotional weight of the moment, remarking, “I was in awe the whole time. I was like, ‘Damn. Y’all women are badasses.'”
The Home: A Symbolic Space
The house in Los Angeles holds a tapestry of memories for the couple. Hayley notes that the home is “really special because it’s our first home together,” and that Derek proposed in the living room. She recalls quarantining there during the COVID lockdown, getting married in a chapter of life rather than the physical house, and now bringing their baby into the world in the same space.
She expressed uncertainty about moving, stating, “I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to move because we love it so much.” The residence, therefore, is more than a shelter; it is a repository of their shared history and hopes.
The Past: Traumas That Shaped Their Journey
The birth came after a series of traumatic events over the past three winters:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Serious car accident; Hayley received four stitches on her forehead |
| 2023 | Mid-performance hospital emergency; Hayley suffered a brain bleed, required removal of ~40% of her skull, and later a second surgery for a skull implant |
| 2024 | Hayley miscarried, adding another layer of loss |
Derek described the cumulative impact of these events as “traumatizing.” He recalled watching Hayley endure a burst blood vessel that nearly cost her life, and he expressed deep gratitude for the resilience she showed. “To see her go from where she was to now, giving birth, is amazing,” he said.
The Future: Rewriting Their Story
With Everley’s arrival, Derek believes the couple can “rewrite the story of this time of year” so it is defined by blessings rather than tragedies. He called the child a “beautiful ray of light,” while Hayley described Everley as their “rainbow after the storm.”
The Houghs see the birth as a turning point, a moment that allows them to celebrate a new chapter. They hope to share this narrative with their audience, emphasizing that even after hardship, joy can emerge.
Key Takeaways
- The Houghs chose a planned home birth on Dec. 29, foregoing hospital pain management but embracing a deeply personal experience.
- Their home in Los Angeles is a symbol of milestones, from proposal to quarantine to marriage and now motherhood.
- The past three winters brought significant trauma: a car accident, a severe brain bleed, and a miscarriage.
- Everley’s birth represents a hopeful rewrite of their story, turning adversity into a celebration of resilience.
For more details on Derek and Hayley Hough and their baby Everley, pick up the new issue of News Of Los Angeles on stands Friday.
