With the due date fast approaching, Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert have officially entered the anything-might-work stage of pregnancy. The couple, glowing with excitement and nerves, is counting down the final days before meeting their baby — and Hayley has now tried one of the most talked-about labor-inducing tricks around.
The anticipation has been building for weeks, and fans have watched every update closely. From laughter-filled moments to quiet nerves, Derek and Hayley have embraced this waiting period with honesty, humor, and a lot of heart. As Derek recently joked, when you’re this close, “every idea suddenly feels worth trying.”
First came dancing — naturally. In a playful Instagram video, the “Dancing With the Stars” judge and former pro joked that dancing “so ridiculously” might encourage the baby to make an early exit. The clip quickly went viral, earning laughs from fans who loved seeing the couple lean into the moment with joy instead of stress.
But the dancing wasn’t the last attempt.
On the night of December 18, Derek shared a new update from Studio City, where Hayley was seen biting into a salad at the well-known Caioti Pizza. The dish, long rumored in California to help induce labor, has earned near-mythical status among expectant parents. Derek panned the camera to a chalkboard titled “Salad Babies,” filled with handwritten notes crediting the salad for successful deliveries.
“Infamous for inducing labor,” Hayley said with a smile as she took a bite. “We’ll see.” Derek echoed her hopeful curiosity, turning the moment into another lighthearted chapter of their countdown.
Whether or not the salad worked remains to be seen — but fans loved every second of the update. The clip sparked an outpouring of reactions, prayers, and encouragement from followers who are more than ready to welcome Baby Hough into the world.
Adding to the sweetness, Derek also shared a video of the couple’s cat adorably interacting with Hayley’s baby bump. The cat gently pawed and leaned against her stomach, clearly curious about what’s coming. “Palo is ready for baby Hough,” Derek captioned the moment, melting hearts across social media.
Support poured in from everywhere — including Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough, who responded with a string of emotional emojis that perfectly captured the family’s excitement. Fans commented on how low Hayley’s bump appears, predicting that the wait may soon be over and wishing her a smooth, healthy delivery.
Derek and Hayley first announced their pregnancy in July 2025 with a tender Instagram video, writing, “We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small.” The announcement showed the couple embracing before Hayley revealed ultrasound photos — a moment that instantly resonated with fans.
Now, with emotions running high and the clock ticking, every update feels meaningful. Whether it’s dancing, salad legends, or quiet moments at home, Derek and Hayley are savoring the final stretch together.
The baby may not be here just yet — but one thing is certain: the countdown is real, the love is overflowing, and Baby Hough’s arrival feels closer than ever. 💛👶
