Vanessa Lachey Opens up About Baby Phoenix’s Premature Birth on ‘Dancing With the Stars’

Things got super raw and real on Dancing with the Stars on Monday, Oct. 9, when Vanessa Lachey opened up about the premature birth of her son Phoenix! It was the beloved "Most Favorite Year" episode, and while hubby Nick Lachey chose 2011 — the year that they "got married and started our family" — Vanessa chose 2017, the year that her "family was complete" after the birth of her third child Phoenix Robert.

“I was in the hospital on bedrest and then my water broke. I was only 29 weeks,” a tearful Vanessa explained to the cameras. “I was on the operating bed and I looked up and I didn’t know a single face and I remembered thinking I hope the baby’s okay and don’t worry about me," she revealed. "Just make him okay."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs0D8aazPc4

Nick was distraught remembering the terrifying night. “I’ll never forget. She called me in a panic: ‘They’re taking me in for an emergency surgery. Get here as quick as you can,’" said Nick, crying. “I think as a man, you want to believe you can protect your kids, protect your wife. I never felt so helpless.” Luckily, Vanessa and Pheonix were both fine after the procedure, and the little boy is happy and healthy today!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaC1gG2gBSz/

Vanessa used the scary memory as her injspiration for the sweet Rumba dance she performed with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy this week. She even used a lullaby called "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" sung by her husband for their son as the music! “This song got us through some really tough times and helped us bond even closer as a family," explained Vanessa. Apparently, the emotional connection really made an impact, because the judges gave the duo a 24/30! Nick could even be seen crying as Vanessa finished up her dance — it was definitely the most touching moment of Season 25 so far!