Heart Evangelista opened up about her experience becoming a mother for a "brief moment."
In an interview with Boy Abunda, the 38-year-old actress and style icon shared how her pregnancy and miscarriage in 2018 changed her life.
READ ALSO: Heart Evangelista On IVF Journey: 'One Of The Toughest, Challenging Times' Of Her Life
Heart Evangelista on being a mother "for a brief moment"
She explained that her mom Cecilia Ongpauco raised her to be a hardworking, go-getter woman, so having a baby was not her priority back then.
"Nung time na yun, takot akong mabuntis even if I was married," Heart recalled. "But when I got pregnant, I didn't realize how much I wanted it so badly and it changed me a lot because I didn't think I would be a good mom."
"When I got pregnant, I didn't realize how much I wanted it so badly." Heart Evangelista
She continued, "I didn't think that I wanted to be a mom, but that's something I'm very thankful for, that even for a brief moment in my life, I realized that I can be a better person. Not necessarily that you have to give birth, not necessarily that you have to physically be a mom but the idea, and what my angels made me feel, is good enough for me."
When asked if she still wants to be a mom, Heart said she doesn't know yet, but she's open to it. She also shared how she's coping with her struggles and moving forward, with gratitude in her heart. "If I'll be a mom, why not? I remember that time, pinagdasal ko na find your way back to me in any form, for me, hindi ko pinipilit yung mga bagay-bagay."
"Pinagdasal ko na find your way back to me in any form, for me, hindi ko pinipilit yung mga bagay-bagay." Heart Evangelista
She puts it firmly, "I don't allow myself to be heartbroken dahil may bagay na hindi binigay sa akin, because I'm always grateful."
READ ALSO: Heart Evangelista Is Coping With Her Loss One Day at a Time
Coping with miscarriage
If you or someone you know has experienced a miscarriage, it's important to understand that your emotions are valid. Grief can vary from person to person. Allow yourself to go through the grieving process at your own pace and in your unique way. It's normal to have good and bad days, but as Heart said, this experience also taught her to love herself more.
When coping with a miscarriage, Stanford Medicine suggests sharing and comparing experiences with other women who have been through the same in case you'll find it reassuring. By joining a support group like our Facebook group, Smart Parenting Village, you can share your sentiments in the community.
"Treasure yourself, love yourself, treasure your heart and soul because that's what's gonna save you in the end." Heart Evangelista
If your feelings of grief and loss don't go away after a couple of months and it has been affecting your ability to function day-to-day, you might benefit from a referral to a mental health counselor or therapist.
In the end, when asked what's her message to her younger self, Heart said, "Treasure yourself, love yourself, treasure your heart and soul because that's what's gonna save you in the end."
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