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Although some mothers enjoyed the perks throughout their pregnancy, it was not an easy ride for Mommy Maria Ivy Vanessa Belen of San Pablo, Laguna, who got pregnant with her second child in 2016.
“Three months palang akong buntis, parang masama na yung kundisyon ko. Five months palang [si baby], nagstay ako ng 1 week sa ospital. May 25, sinugod na ako sa ospital.”
Ivy shared to Smart Parenting that her blood pressure kept shooting up. She had to stayed in the hospital for monitoring. She was advised that she needs to keep the baby her inside for at least a week to have better chances of survival.
She delivered her baby on June 7, via C-section at 28 weeks old. “Hindi na siya makahinga sa loob gawa nang pumuputok na yung placenta ko tapos wala na akong nasusupply na air sa kanya, sabi ng mga doktor, baka mamatay po kami pareho.”
'Kapiranggot lang si baby'
She gave birth to a very tiny baby who they named Isaac. He was only 1000 grams then, and he was still losing weight. He had to stay inside the incubator because he was suffering from an infection, and his bone marrow was not functioning. The doctors were aready telling them to be prepared for the worst.
“Sabi ng isang neonat baka di niya kayanin kasi ang liit niya, may sakit pa, may infection pa, tapos may halak pa po siya, hindi pa fully developed yung internal organs. Madaming doktor tumingin sa kanya. Sabi ko pag di talaga siya para sa amin doc wala kaming magagawa,” she recounts.
They started having doubts because the experience was taking a toll on them mentally, emotionally, and financially. “Kahit ilaban naming mag-asawa, kung hindi sya para samin, baka kunin na po samin. Ready na ako pero somehow yung puso ko nagsasabi na may pag-asa pa," she said.
A miracle that changed their lives
On Isaac’s 30th day of life, he only weighed 800 grams. They were already preparing to say their goodbyes. “Nag-flat line siya ng 4AM, nirevive siya ni doktora. Baka di na daw kayanin ng puso niya kasi pagod na yung katawan nya.”
Even the doctors were telling her to look for a priest who can bless their son, who seemed at that time nearing the end of his life. Although the hospital won’t allow guests to enter the NICU, on that day, they were able to ask permission from the hospital owner who was just passing by.
“Naawa yung pari kasi kapiranggot lang si baby. Gusto niya binyagan, ayaw daw niya bigyan ng last rite. Bininyagan siya, sabi ni Father, mabubuhay ka ha, lalaban ka.”
After the baptism rites, the doctor noted that Isaac showed signs of improvement.
“Pagkatapos ng basbas, hinatid ni daddy si Father sa simbahan. Pagbalik niya, binigay niya sakin yung sampung piso na bilog. Sabi daw ni Father kay daddy, “Binibili ko na yung sakit ng anak niyo, gagaling siya. Di bale ako matanda na ako, konti nalang ang buhay ko sa mundo. Sabi ni Father, itago yung sampung piso, o ibigay sa simbahan.”
From that moment on, Ivy and her husband held on to their faith. Ivy continued to breastfeed her son, and they worked closely with the doctors to help their son improve his health.
“Ika-44 days ni baby, lumabas na kami ng NICU,” she shared.
Being part of a community of preemie parents
But going home was only the start of their journey. Isaac needed blood transfusion for his thalassemia, and his bone marrow was still not functioning.
Ivy shares what also helped them in their journey is being part of a community of preemie parents who inspired them.
On Isaac’s first birthday, Ivy shared that they went to a church in Laguna and she used the 10-peso-coin to buy a candle and pray for their child.
“From Laguna, nirefer kami sa ospital sa Maynila. Magagaling at mababait yung mga doktor at medical staff. May isang mommy na nirefer kami sa mga grupo ng mga parents ng mga premature babies. Nagbasa-basa kami ni daddy, at naging inspirasyon sila sa amin.”
Her testimony: “Buhay po yung baby na kapiranggot!”
Inspiring hope
Ivy says that their NICU experience is a story that needs to be shared. She hopes that their story reaches the parents of preemie babies who are also going through the same.
“Magpakatatag, lagi magdasal, ilaban hangga’t kaya niyong ilaban kasi lumalaban sila. ‘Wag magdadalawang isip. Pag laban, laban talaga. Dirediretsong laban talaga. Wag lilingon. Alam ko po na kasama po sa mga medical na tumutulong sa atin, tinatouch ng Panginoon ang mga kamay nila.”
To date, Isaac is now 5 years old. His bone marrow is already functioning properly, and he didn’t need blood transfusion for his thalassemia since he turned 4.
“Sinabihan din kami ng doktor na maiksi yung dila niya, sabi baka di siya makapagsalitang hanggang 7 years old. Baka utal sya o may speech impediment.”
Ivy beamed that her son is very talkative now and already knows how to read. She found out when her son has been reading the brands of the items that they are selling in their store. “Sabi niya, Surf, Tide, Pancit Canton!” He also likes to play lutu-lutuan with other children.
“Kapag pwede na, baka mag-face-to-face classes na siya sa kinder,” she proudly shared.
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