The cute couple announced Oliver’s birth on October 3 with a heartwarming photo of the new mum in hospital enjoying a cuddle.
The snap showed Jules sitting on her hospital bed cross-legged and gazing lovingly at her sleeping newborn. A sign in front read: "Welcome to the world baby cub Oliver Chase Merchant."
To make matters even cuter, Jules was wearing a T-shirt with the words "Mama Lioness" emblazoned across it.
"Hear me roar 🦁#mamalionessandhercub #proudmumma #newborn," she wrote in the caption.
In an exclusive interview with WHO, the couple - who married on TV as complete strangers just two years ago - admitted their foray into parenting had been an “incredibly emotional time” so far.
Not only was Jules hospitalised twice during her pregnancy, but Oliver had to undergo a procedure shortly after birth.
“I felt well most of the way through, but I was hospitalised for a few days at 18 weeks with a fibroid, and then again at 22 weeks when I woke up one night in a pool of blood – that was terrifying!,” Jules said.
“We were already in love with the idea of being parents but when that happened, I realised I already loved my child so much – the feelings were intense. Thankfully, everything was OK. It was an unexplained bleed and Jules recovered. But we were so relieved to hear our baby’s heartbeat when that happened,” Cam continued.
Oliver was born naturally after just four hours of labour. Although breastfeeding was made “really difficult” due to his tongue-tie.
“His tongue was stuck down so he was using his jaw on me, which was really painful,” Jules explained. It was really hard at first but when he had the procedure to free his tongue, things improved. Now my midwife jokes he’d eat a cheeseburger if we gave him one!”
Fast-forward three months and the family-of-three are well and truly enjoying their love bubble.
“We’re just completely in love,” Jules said. “Oliver is my biggest achievement by far. I felt so powerful when I held him in my arms. It’s a magical time."
