Hollyoaks star Steph Davis reveals ‘traumatic’ birth of second baby and sweet meaning behind name
STEPH Davis has announced she’s given birth to her second child.
The former Hollyoaks star welcomed a baby boy and confirmed the news in a sweet post on Instagram.
Stephanie’s partner Joe McKalroy took to Instagram to announce the joyous news today, with him sharing a sweet post to introduce him into the world.
“Welcome to the world my beautiful baby boy Samuel McKalroy,” he penned.
“Named after your uncle the one and only who will always weigh heavy on my heart I wish so much that he could’ve met you and cherished you as much as I do,” Joe went on, revealing the sweet meaning behind the name the couple have chosen.
“It has been a traumatic experience but you are finally here in our arms.
“I never thought I could possibly love your mummy anymore than I already do but this is just so special and an unconditional love I cannot explain with words.
“@stephaniedavis88 I love you more than you will ever know,” he concluded.
Alongside the sweet caption, Joe also shared a selection of snaps, giving the world a first glimpse at the couple’s bundle of joy.
The first snap he shared was of the newborn baby lying in a crib at the hospital, while the second was of Steph’s son Caben holding his new brother.
Other snaps saw Steph lying in a hospital bed as she was introduced to her newborn son for the very first time, as well as various family members posing with baby Samuel.
Steph commented on the post, which was shared by Joe, writing: “Sobbing reading this. My heart. I love you more than anything in this world.
“I couldn’t love you more I’m so blessed to have you as a daddy to our boys xxx
You carried me though that, it was so tough. I love you more than you will ever know xxxxxxxx.”
Fans and friends then flocked to the comment section to congratulate the couple on their new arrival.
Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan wrote: “Congratulations. What a beautiful boy xxx.”
While one fan penned: “The update I’ve been waiting for!! Congratulations, he’s beautiful!”
And another said: “Absolutely perfect in every way, congratulations Joe and Steph and big brother Caben. Absolutely amazing news, he is beautiful love his name Samuel.”
The tot is Steph’s first child with partner Joe McKalroy, joining her seven-year-old son, Caben, whom she had in a previous relationship with Jeremy McConnell.
Joe and Steph, who have been together since 2021, have been trying for a baby for several years, and in July 2022 tragically suffered a miscarriage.
Steph later revealed she was considering fertility treatment when they were able to conceive naturally, sharing the great news in August 2024.
She later referred to Joe as “her biggest support and her rock”, and shared her excitement and fears of being a mum again.
“Finding out you’re pregnant again after a loss is such a whirl of mixed emotions,” she wrote in a statement, which was posted alongside a clip of Joe discovering she was expecting.
“On one hand you’re so happy you’re finally pregnant with the person you love… but on the other hand it’s filled with horrific anxiety, excitement about the future & what’s to come, but being dropped back down to reality with a bang & having prepare yourself that there may be no future with your baby. And this happened a few times to us on our journey.”
However, she was warned her pregnancy was at high risk of another miscarriage or being ectopic – but said she “had this strong gut feeling that it was all going to be OK.”
The pregnancy has not been easy however, with Steph being put on bed rest after doctors suffered a haematoma – a collection of blood which is located outside the blood vessels.
Amazingly the haematoma disappeared but in a cruel twist she then picked up C-diff on holiday.
C-diff is a germ (bacterium) that causes diarrhoea and colitis.
She said: “I was terrified. I’m still on medication to treat it, but I’m slowly recovering.”
Steph has since kept fans up to date with all aspects of her pregnancy online, including the gender reveal party where son Caben popped the balloon to reveal he was going to get a little brother, a look at the nursery, and what she packed in her hospital bag.