Rica Peralejo Successfully Gives Birth via Unmedicated VBAC at Home

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. Many doctors also consider vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC ) even in a hospital extremely risky. In the event a problem occurs during a home birth, the need to transfer the mom and the baby to a hospital means delayed care, which could put both their lives at risk. 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 know more about home births, read here.

On June 9, 2019, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio gave birth to her second son, whom she and husband Joseph Bonifacio named Manu. The writer-vlogger welcomed her rainbow baby through an unmedicated home birth — an incredible feat, especially since it's also a VBAC.

“And so after 25 hours, this boy is finally out,” Rica wrote on her birth announcement on Instagram. “It was a miracle to actually do home birth, VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian), and to remain completely unmedicated all throughout the labor,” she said.

Rica described her second pregnancy journey as coming from a “fearful time to a victorious birth.” She went through 38 weeks of praying for God to sustain her baby after having had two miscarriages to successfully giving birth the way she had planned and prepared for, an unmedicated natural home birth.

What other parents are reading

Rica Peralejo Chooses to Have Faith Over Fear: 'No Need for Doppler'

Rica Peralejo Aims for a VBAC: Here's How She's Preparing for It

Rica gave birth via CS to her firstborn son Philip five years ago, and while she had previously stressed that she is thankful for the technology, she was determined to do VBAC with her second child, and had faith that she can have the best possible birth.

To help her manage and soldier through labor pain, the writer-vlogger put up birth cards for meditation and had a small pool set up. Through her labor that lasted more than a full day, Rica admitted she wanted to quit so many times, “but somehow strength came to my bones and body.“

“Truly, if we want something supernatural, we must understand that it cannot be done alone,” Rica wrote on another Instagram post. She credited her entire birth team who “carried [her] through and through.” It included her doula Irina Otmakhova, and of course her husband, Joseph. Her son Philip was also present to help her and give her the energy she needed to push through.

What other parents are reading

Preggo Rica Peralejo Thought She Would Lose Her Baby Again at 6 Weeks

Rica Peralejo: My Pregnancy Is a Gift Also for 'Kuya' Philip

When finally Baby Manu had arrived, Rica couldn't help but cry. “How can I not shed tears if it had to take five years, 38 weeks of praying God will sustain him, 25 hours of labor before I can finally have this boy?” she proudly exclaimed.

“The birth of a boy in not only natural but supernatural conditions,” the mom of two shared. Her baby boy's heart rate “never went down,” and she believes that God protected her baby since conception through birth, and will continue to do so through the rest of his life.

It's not only Rica who had longed for another baby, but also Joseph and Kuya Philip, “who cannot stop saying he is so happy about Manu.” He has been wanting for a baby sibling for quite some time and has early on considered Rica's pregnancy and his baby brother as a gift.

Congratulations, Rica, Joseph, and Philip!

This story was updated on January 13, 2019.

What other parents are reading

Don't You Think It's Time to Start Throwing Postpartum Parties Instead of Baby Showers?

Ever Heard of Maternal Gatekeeping? It's How You and Your Husband Become Parenting Rivals

Romnick Sarmenta: 'I Don't Want My Kids to See Meron Isang Hindi Masaya'

Stress and Pumping Breast Milk Do Not Mix. This Mom's Hack Can Help You Relax