Jean Garcia Praises Daughter Jennica Uytingco for Doing a Water Birth

Editor’s Note: Medical professionals caution against home birth because of the risks involved. A hospital is the safest setting for childbirth, especially when a life-threatening complication develops, which can happen without warning. Women have the right to make an informed decision about where they prefer to deliver, but always consult a doctor to understand the risks.

To decide to have a water birth is a not an easy decision. There are pros and cons and conditions to proceed safely, so it was understandable that veteran actress Jean Garcia, worried about the safety of her daughter, Jennica Garcia Uytingco, who had a water birth for her second child.

"Ang asawa lang niya at midwife saka yung magka-catch ng bata ang nandun," Jean said in an interview with Pep.ph.

Jean said there was no doctor, and Jennica gave birth already by the time the midwife arrived. It was Jennica's husband, Alwyn Uytingco who caught the baby in the water as soon as she came out. 

Jean said Jennica didn't want her in the room because she was afraid for her daughter. "Ayaw niya nandun ako kasi mati-tense lang daw siya," the proud lola shared.

Alexis Severina "Alessi" Uytingco arrived on June 25, 2018. "Thank you, Lord sa safe and fast delivery ng aming second child. Nanay [Jennica], sobrang proud namin sa ’yo! Ang galing mo!!" Alwyn wrote in his birth announcement on Instagram.

Alessi is not yet three months old, but look how she's grown!

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The couple has yet to tell the full story of Alessi's birth. "Ito ay isang hindi ordinirayong pagpapanganak ng isang sanggol. Lahat ay mabuting pinaghandaan at pinagaralan namin mag-asawa," Alwyn wrote on his Instagram when he posted about Jennica's placenta smoothie.

Apart from being a water birth, which we know now, thanks to Jennica's mom, the Kalinga ni Nanay founder previously shared it was also a lotus birth, or when the placenta is birthed with the umbilical cord still attached to the newborn. Instead of clamping it, Jennica waited for the cord to detach by itself, and the placenta remained connected to Baby Alessi for three days.

Jean is so proud of her daughter not just for successful childbirth, but also because Jennica has been championing natural parenting in her talks to first-time moms. 

"Di ba ang mga nanay ngayon, hands-on talaga sila? Nabalik uli yung pagbi-breastfeed, di ba?" the proud momma shared and added that she fully supports her daughter and her husband about how they choose to raise Athena Mori and Alessi.

Jean did say in a previous interview that as a grandmother, she believes it is her duty to spoil her apos and warned Jennica and Alwyn not to stop her. She made it clear, though, that if there’s anything she wants to splurge on for her apos, it will be of her own choosing, and not something they would ask for.

This story was updated on June 14, 2019.

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