As February 15, 2026, unfolds, Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins are in the final stretch of welcoming baby number five, and it sounds like it could happen any minute.
Earlier this week, Thomas Rhett paused a show to ask fans for prayers, sharing that Lauren had been in early labor “all day” and might be heading to the hospital that night, per concert footage shared on social media. As of now, no birth announcement has been confirmed. The due date is March 2, and this baby may simply be working on its own schedule.
@countrynow.com @Thomas Rhett took the stage early with his dad, Rhett Akins, and asked for prayers, revealing his wife Lauren is in early labor with their fifth child. 🙏🍼 #thomasrhett #babyontheway #nashville #countrymusic ♬ original sound – CountryNow.com
And in true Rhett fashion, the biggest detail remains a complete surprise.
“Due date is in March and we are going to wait until the day of, man, to figure out what the gender is,” Thomas told Taste of Country Nights. It is the first time the couple has chosen not to find out ahead of delivery.
“It’s terrifying for me, but there’s not many surprises left in this world, and I feel that’s one that you kinda get to be surprised with, if you choose to.”
For a family that shares much of their life publicly, that decision feels intentional. In an era where everything gets revealed early, waiting stands out.
The anticipation grew even more after Thomas and Lauren appeared on the podcast That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs. Lauren shared that at 32 weeks, she was already carrying a 6-pound baby.
“My girlfriends are like, ‘I delivered a 6 pound baby at 40 weeks,’” she laughed.
Thomas did the math out loud and joked that if Lauren makes it to her March 2 due date, the baby could weigh close to 11 pounds. Lauren teased that she might strap an 11-pound weight to her husband for a day so he can fully understand what she is experiencing.
His response was immediate.
“I’ve never been more grateful to be a dude. I don’t think I could physically do it.”
The humor is classic Thomas, but there is more emotion behind this season than just baby weight predictions.
On February 11, Lauren shared an emotional Instagram post revealing that her sister Macy was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and began chemotherapy that same week. In Lauren’s Instagram post, she wrote that she is carrying “so much joy and anticipation” for their new baby while also feeling “heavy and sadness” for her sister’s battle.
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“It’s okay to feel both,” she shared. “We can feel Him sustaining us all.”
That context changes the tone of this waiting period. There is celebration in the Rhett household. There is also prayer.
Thomas and Lauren announced their fifth pregnancy on August 26, 2025. They already share four daughters. Willa Gray is 10, Ada James is 8, Lennon Love is 6, and Lillie Carolina is 4. Their journey into parenthood began with adopting Willa from Uganda, a decision Thomas has described as life-altering after seeing Lauren care for her overseas.
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Since then, Thomas has fully embraced being a girl dad. Years ago, he admitted he assumed he would have boys.
“I think I was meant to be a girl dad. That’s what we produce. It’s girls. It’s been awesome. It’s softened my heart a ton.”
Whether baby number five continues that streak or finally brings a boy into the mix remains the big mystery.
For now, the family waits. Early labor signs. A possible hospital trip. A due date right around the corner. A sister beginning chemo with courage.
Joy and weight at the same time.
When this baby arrives, the announcement will carry more than just pink or blue. It will carry relief. Gratitude. And another reminder that even in the spotlight, life does not pause for perfect timing.
The Rhett house is about to get even louder.
And this time, the surprise will be worth the wait.
