How is Derek Hough ‘absorbing’ all of Hayley Erbert’s pregnancy emotions?

Derek Hough has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Now, as he and Hayley Erbert prepare to welcome their first baby, he’s opening up about just how deeply he’s felt her pregnancy journey. In recent interviews, the Dancing With the Stars judge admitted he’s taken on much more than just the practical tasks he’s soaking up Hayley’s emotional waves too.

To Derek, it feels like they’re moving in sync. While Hayley remains a calming, centered presence “like a Zen Buddha,” he said he’s found himself riding the highs and lows right alongside her: crying, getting anxious, and reflecting more deeply than ever.

How Derek Hough Is Absorbing All of Hayley Erbert’s Pregnancy Emotions

Derek’s candor about his emotional state is striking. He didn’t just joke about being overwhelmed he confessed he’s genuinely been absorbing Hayley’s pregnancy feelings. In an interview, he said he’s been “freaking out … emotional … crying,” and contrasted that with how peaceful she’s been through it all.

He’s not just passively watching he’s actively preparing. Derek has been taking classes with doulas and midwives to understand the birth process, especially because he wants to be ready for what he describes as a very personal, intimate experience.

It’s clear how much he admires Hayley. He called her “incredible” and even “badas” appreciating how she’s already stepping into a motherly role before the baby arrives. Their connection, forged through years of dancing and shared dreams, seems to have evolved into a quiet, powerful partnership as they head into parenthood together.

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At the same time, Derek Hough acknowledges the gravity of what’s ahead. He’s expressed real uncertainty about touring after the baby comes wondering how life, and even his worldview, might change. But he’s not making plans blindly: they’ve leaned on other DWTS dancers who have toured with kids to get advice, and they’ve put family first in every decision. In a way, Derek Hough’s journey through Hayley’s pregnancy feels like a dance in itself one of emotional attunement, vulnerability, and deep love.

He’s not just preparing to become a dad; he’s learning how to carry her strength, her peace, and her fears as if they were his own. And in doing so, he’s showing that fatherhood, for him, isn’t about being the strong silent type it’s about being present, emotionally available, and fully in sync.

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