It’s a girl— and another girl!— for Mackenzie Douthit and Khesanio Hall.
The Teen Mom: The Next Chapter stars announced on Wednesday that they have welcomed twin girls. The couple— who documented their IVF process and pregnancy on the most-recent season of the MTV show— told People magazine that the babies were born Monday, June 2 via C-section.
“I am so thankful to have just given birth to two beautiful and strong girls, and I can’t wait to see them grow into the queens that God desires them to be,” Mackenzie— who is also the mom of sons Gannon and Bronc and daughter Jaxie with her ex-husband Josh McKee— told the magazine.
According to Mackenzie’s posts on Instagram, the babies were born at 31.5 weeks into her pregnancy but are “fully developed” and doing well. They each measured 17 inches at birth.
Like her older kids, Mack’s twins were given very, um, unique names: Ja’Kharie Angie and Ja’Meikah Angella Hall. On Snapchat, Mackenzie explained that Ja’Kharie’s middle name “Angie” is a tribute to Mackenzie’s late mother, Angela “Angie” Douthit, and Khesanio’s mother, who both used the nickname “Angie.” She stated that Ja’Meikah’s middle name is “Angella” because that is the name of both her mom and Khesanio’s mom.
During a Q&A on Instagram in April, Mack explained that the twins would each be getting a three-syllable name (because both she and Khesanio have three-syllable names), and that the names would begin with “J,” because all of Khesanio’s mom’s grandkids have “J” names.
Anyway, Khesanio confirmed that the babies and Mackenzie are healthy following the birth. Ja’Kharie was born first at 7:08 p.m. ET, weighing 5 lbs. Her sister Ja’Meikah came three minutes later, weighing in at 5 lbs., 2 oz.
Mackenzie has done so well with our beautiful girls and I’m super proud of her! Ja’Kharie and Ja’Meikah came out so smoothly and all three of them are doing well, thank God! This is easily the happiest day of my life!” he told the magazine.
Over the past few weeks, Mackenzie has documented her pregnancy struggles on social media. Last week, the ‘Teen Mom’ star was hospitalized after being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.
“I have gained 20 pounds in 48 hours of water weight,” Mackenzie said in a Snapchat video on Wednesday, May 28. She also claimed that the intense swelling in her lower extremities was preventing her from being able to walk.
Mackenzie— who is a Type 1 diabetic— had high-risk, difficult pregnancies with her first three children. As for her health with this pregnancy, Mackenzie has stated that she has “great diabetic care team.” During her previous pregnancies, Mackenzie struggled to keep her diabetes under control, which resulted in her having very large babies. Her eldest son Gannon weighed 9 lbs., 7 oz. at birth, while daughter Jaxie was over 8 lbs. Mack’s third child Broncs— who had serious health issues after birth— weighed in at a whopping 10 lbs., 1 oz.
“This pregnancy is unlike the last 3,” she wrote on social media in May. “I have an insulin pump and Dexcom, along with a great diabetic care team. My sugars are not only great, but the babies are super healthy and growing perfectly.”
Photos posted by Mackneize show that the twins are currently in the NICU. Mack revealed via Instagram Stories on Wednesday that she had six hours of blood infusions so far that day but is recovering well.
Khesanio updated his Instagram on Wednesday to discuss the births of his daughters.
“On June 2nd my whole life changed when Ja’Meikah and Ja’Kharie Hall came into this world,” he wrote. “The moment I heard their cries was the moment I realized I was not in a dream and this is reality. Baby girls, I promise to love and protect you until the very day I die.
@mackenziemckee you have done so well through this pregnancy and I am super proud of you momma! I know how much you will love and care for our babies and I can’t wait to see them in 10 years then 20 then 30 and more and more!”
Mack shared some photos from the twins’ birth, as well as details of the delivery, on Snapchat.
“Welcome to the world Ja’Kharie Angie Hall and Ja’Meikah Angella Hall,” Mack wrote on Instagram. “Both named after our moms, the most beautiful ladies who mean everything to us. Born 31 1/2 weeks. 5.0 and 5.4 (lbs.) Both 17 inches long and o so beautiful. Mom and Dad are over the moon and so happy. The cries we cried when we heard those first cries. We are so in love.”
Mackenzie and Khesanio received plenty of well wishes from their ‘Teen Mom’ co-stars.
“YAYYY congratulations,” wrote Cory Wharton. “That man has a kid of his own now that’s special feeling and bond you all will have.”
“Congratulations, they are beautiful,” wrote Cheyenne Floyd.
“So beautiful!” Maci Bookout commented. “Congratulations, y’all!”
