Former X Factor Celebrity contestant Ben Foden and wife Jackie Belanoff Smith have welcomed their first child together.
The new mum has taken to Instagram to share a series of adorable photos of their newborn daughter named Farrah Abra Foden, who was born three weeks early following health complications.
Jackie posted a sweet snap of herself cradling the tot moments after she was born while Ben, 34, stood over her and revealed she was induced early after developing cholestasis.
Revealing the details of her health scare, Jackie wrote: “So with an original due date of June 12, a few weeks ago I developed cholestatis, which is an elevation in liver enzymes or something.
Ben Foden and wife Jackie Belanoff Smith have welcomed their first child together (Image: ben_foden/Instagram)
“I was getting super itchy and blood work showed concerning levels, and it was decided I needed to induce at 37 weeks which is technically considered term.”
Jackie revealed she was in labour for a full day and it was Ben who cut the umbilical cord.
She penned: “After 24 hours of labour, I wasn’t dilating, and she needed to be sectioned, so mom and Mark (my stepdad) scrubbed up and had her out in 30 mins.
The happy couple have named their newborn daughter Farrah Abra Foden (Image: ben_foden/Instagram)
“(Ben cut the cord which turned out to be super short, which is probably why she wasn’t coming down naturally and helping me dilate).”
Alongside the post, Jackie wrote: ‘”Farrah Abra Foden, 5/20/2020, 6lbs 12oz, 19.5 inches of pure adorable alien old man cuteness. We love you so much little one.”
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a potentially serious liver disorder that can develop in pregnancy, according to the NHS.
Ben Foden and his wife Jackie have welcomed their first child together (Image: INSTAGRAM / BEN FODEN)
The couple’s romance has been a whirlwind after the pair tied the knot last August after only two weeks of knowing each other.
The duo stunned their online followers by sharing pictures of their surprise wedding ceremony which took place on board a luxury yacht in Massachusetts.
Ben, 34, said he popped the question to New York socialite Jackie after she swept him off his feet following his split from Una Healy.
The sport star praised Jackie for “showing him a deep devoted love’ in a ‘time of hardship.”
The couple have enjoyed a whirlwind romance (Image: INSTAGRAM)
Six months after their nuptials, sources close to the couple revealed they were expecting their first baby.
“Ben and Jackie are over the moon. They’re so excited to become parents together for the first time and are looking forwards to starting their new lives as a family.=,” a source told MailOnline.
“The plan is to move from America back to the UK and raise the baby here — there’s lots to organise but they can’t wait for their new arrival.”
Ben is already father to children Aoife, seven, and Tadhg, five, who he shares with former wife Una Healey.
Ben shares to children, Aoife and Tadhg, with his ex wife Una Healey (Image: GETTY)
After four years of marriage, Ben separated from The Saturdays singer in 2018 after admitting to cheating on her with a publicist.
The family were just weeks away from uprooting to America for Ben’s rugby career, but the move was cancelled after the scandal with Ben moving to the states alone.
A newly single Ben was introduced to Jackie in America through a mutual friend and it was love at first sight.
He said: “Jackie is the greatest human being I’ve ever come across – she’s beautiful inside and out, intelligent, charming, funny, generous, kind, gentle, energetic the list goes on.
“She will be a great step mum to Aoife and Tadhg and offers me a future I can’t wait to explore with her.”
Rugby United New York player Ben swapped the rugby ball for a microphone last year as he took in the a celebrity version of The X Factor.
He entered the competition as part of a group called Try Star alongside fellow rugby pals Thom Evans and Levi Davies
The hunky trio impressed viewers with their vocals and came fifth place in the singing contest.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
