Alex Gonzaga's Hubby Mikee Morada Hopeful After Third Miscarriage

For the third time in four years, Alex Gonzaga has suffered a miscarriage, her husband Mikee Morada confirmed.

In a recent interview with Toni Gonzaga on her YouTube vlog, Mikee shared the heartbreaking news of their third miscarriage, which occurred in December 2024.

The Lipa City councilor revealed that they weren't expecting to get pregnant as they were preparing for another in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. After their first miscarriage in 2021, Alex underwent IVF in 2023, which resulted in another miscarriage due to blighted ovum.

Cleveland Clinic defines blighted ovum as a type of early miscarriage when a fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining but doesn't grow into an embryo. Also called anembryonic pregnancy, it is the number one cause of first-trimester miscarriages, typically due to chromosomal problems. 

Their third pregnancy, however, was harder to bear, as they were able to hear their baby's heartbeat for the first time.

"Pagdating namin dun sa ultrasound na 'yun, 'yun na yung pang-apat, mayroong bata sa loob, may baby sa loob," Mikee revealed.

"Naiyak ako noong narinig ko 'yung heartbeat," he added. "First time kong nakarinig ng heartbeat. Pero ang masakit doon, sabi sa amin, wala nang laman."

Mikee also shared that he took a live photo of their baby during the ultrasound, which he treasures deeply. "Ito lang yung kaisa-isang picture na makikita mong tumitibok 'yung puso niya. Tapos ni-loop ko para play lang siya ng play. Tapos tuwing umaga, tinitingnan ko siya."

^{Mikee Morada showed a photo of his and Alex Gonzaga's baby as seen during an ultrasound}

Eventually, they discovered that their baby had a low heartbeat. "Tinry namin habulin, baka ma-save pa yung baby," Mikee shared.

They had high hopes as they waited for their next ultrasound schedule on December 28. "Hindi ko makakalimutan yun, magkahawak kami ng kamay. Pagkapasok na ganun [nung probe], nakita na namin kaagad 'yung embryo, 'yung baby, pero wala na siyang heartbeat." 

Despite the pain, Mikee remains hopeful that they will conceive again.

"Kaya ngayon dapat ang prayer namin, "We surrender," kung ano man. Kung wala, okay lang. We will accept, tatanggapin natin kung anong ipagkaloob sa atin." —Mikee Morada

He claims, "Mas hinahanda kami. [Noong una] wala munang laman, tapos nakakita na kami [ng embryo]. Sana yung susunod, dire-diretso na [ang pregnancy]."

Mikee added, "On a positive note, sinabi ko rin sa kanya [Alex], "Four years na tayong kasal, tatlong beses ka nang nabubuntis. Kahit papaano, may [hope]. Alam nating kaya."

Watch the full vlog here.

How spouses can support each other after miscarriage

1. Be each other's safe space.

Experts say women may experience psychological distress due to hormonal changes after a miscarriage. Their partners, however, might not always know how to handle such situations, but giving advice isn't always necessary. Listening to their story is enough, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

Mikee shared how he helps Alex grieve and cope, "Pag kaming dalawa nalang, doon mo makikita na kailangang-kailangan niya ako," he shared. "Pag may mga hindi magandang nangyayari, ang hiling lang niya sa akin, 'Just be here for me.' Kunwari nakahiga na sa bed, kung umiiyak man siya, [sasabihin niya] 'Basta yakapin mo lang ako,'" Mikee said.

"Hindi man tayo pinalad ngayon, lumalim [naman] ang ating relationship, at alam ko sa susunod, mas alam na natin kung anong gagawin." —Mikee Morada to Alex Gonzaga

Couples experiencing miscarriage may also consider seeking professional help, especially if one or both partners show signs of postpartum depression.

2. Cheer each other up.

Toni shared that the one thing that helped Alex cope with their second pregnancy loss was when she saw Mikee giving a thumbs-up, reassuring her that everything would be okay. 

On January 26, just two hours before the vlog's release, Alex shared a video on Instagram thanking Mikee for bravely opening up about their journey. The video showed Mikee dancing by her hospital bed to make her smile. "My favorite memory is when my husband made sure I was happy before my medical procedure," Alex wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex Gonzaga-Morada (@cathygonzaga)

Helping with housework or creating something in memory of the baby can also make partners feel supported, the APA suggests. 

3. Do your research.

Miscarriage is not only a women's issue—men play a vital role as well. Mikee explained how he joined parenting groups to understand the struggles women face, "Nag-ri-research kasi ako lagi sa mga forums ng mga mommy, mga buntis. Laging ang tip sa akin o ang pinapayo sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko na iba talaga ang pinagdadaanan ng babae pagdating sa pregnancy."

He added, "Kita ko yung height ng emotions, ang saya mo, tapos mag-aabang ka, tapos biglang mawawala." Mikee mentioned that his wife sacrificed a lot for their first IVF journey. "Kailangan mo talaga maximum tolerance, patience," he said.

4. See the good.

Despite their struggles, Mikee chooses to focus on the positive, especially in encouraging Alex.

He added that their experiences have strengthened their marriage: "Ito yung nagpalakas sa amin, bilang lumalim yung relationship bilang mag-asawa. At the end of the day, lagi kong sinasabi, 'Kahit anong mangyari, biyayaan man tayo o hindi, tayong dalawa ang magkasama, okay lang. Okay lang.'"

He added, "Kaya ngayon dapat ang prayer namin, "We surrender," kung ano man. Kung wala, okay lang. We will accept, tatanggapin natin kung anong ipagkaloob sa atin."

Mikee expressed his appreciation for Alex’s efforts to prepare for another pregnancy, "Hindi man tayo pinalad ngayon, lumalim [naman] ang ating relationship, at alam ko sa susunod, mas alam na natin kung anong gagawin, mas na-appreciate pa natin yung isa't isa. I love you and I'll always be here for you."

Here are the things you shouldn't say to couples who are trying to conceive, including 'Gawa nalang kayo ulit.'