Lovely Abella and Benj Manalo shared their birth story on September 22, the day the dancer and businessowner revealed that she underwent an operation after giving birth to their first child together.
In their vlog, Benj documented their journey to meeting Liam Emmanuel, which began on the early morning of September 15 when Lovely started experiencing contractions since midnight.
READ ALSO: Lovely Abella Is Pregnant Again After 15 Years, 'In God's Perfect Time'
At 7 AM, Lovely's cervix was dilated to 1 cm, and it was progressing. "Sa mga mommies diyan na nanonood, nakakaproud po kayo sobra," she said after her painful internal examination. They were aiming for a normal delivery.
"Hindi biro ang pinagdadaanan namin para sa inyo. Kaya habang buhay pa ang nanay at magulang ninyo, mahalin niyo." —Lovely Abella Manalo
At 12 noon, her cervix was dilated to 3cm. "Sobrang hirap po manganak," Lovely stressed. Benj could be seen assisting Lovely throughout her labor.
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM /BENJAt 4:55 PM, Lovely was at 6 cm. "Start na ito ng pinaka-labor niya start na nang pinaka-labor niya. Hindi namin alam kung makakain pa siya. Sana lumabas na agad si Liam."
After receiving an epidural, Lovely said, "Gusto ko lang sabihin sa mga anak na mahalin niyo ang mga nanay niyo. Hindi biro ang pinagdadaanan namin para sa inyo. Kaya habang buhay pa ang nanay at magulang ninyo, mahalin niyo."
When the baby was out, Benj offered a prayer, and Liam was immediately brought to Lovely for their first skin-to-skin contact.
Baby Liam was born on Sept. 15,2023 at 8:08pm.
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PHOTO BY SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE /BENLYADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWAt the end of their vlog, they wrote, "With deep admiration for the incredible sacrifice and boundless love that mothers pour into the miracle of giving birth, we proudly welcome Liam Emmanuel Manalo into this world."
The text continues, "May your journey through life be as remarkable as the love that brought you here." Watch the full vlog here.
On September 17, Lovely shared her first photo as a new mom again with the public. It showed a raw and unfiltered moment of motherhood.
READ ALSO: Lovely Abella Announces Birth Of Son With A Raw, Unfiltered Breastfeeding Photo
Lovely Abella undergoes surgery postpartum
Four days after welcoming Baby Liam, Lovely took to Instagram to share that she developed an infection and had undergone a surgery, saying, "Mas malala pa nung nanganak ako ng normal."
On September 24, Lovely shared on Instagram that she is now finally at home with her family.
"Nakauwi na po ako, after 3 days pumayag ang mga doctors ko dahil nagkaka-postpartum depression na ata ako, dahil pag patay ang ilaw sa hospital naninikip ang dibdib ko at bigla akong umiiyak ng malakas. Nagpapagaling na lang po ako. Lalo na ngayon kasama ko na ang Pamilya ko lalo na mga Anak ko."
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch now"Walang magulang na ipapahamak ang anak, at ang dami naming natutunan sa sitwasyon namin ngayon." —Lovely Abella Manalo
"Kaya natin lahat pero ang mawalay sa pamilya ang isa sa pinaka-masaklap na pangyayari na minsan kailangan nating harapin. Pero tulad ng lagi kong sinasabi, may plano si Lord sa atin. Kung ano man yun, hindi natin alam. Basta manalig at higpitan lang natin ang pagkapit natin sa Kanya, dahil walang magulang na ipapahamak ang anak, at ang dami naming natutunan sa sitwasyon namin ngayon."
She then thanked those who donated breastmilk for her son, as she had to stop breastfeeding due to medications.
"Muli maraming salamat sa mga nagdonate ng milk, di pa ako makakapag breastfeed hanggang October 1 dahil matatapang po ang mga gamot ko, kaya salamat po sa mga milk stash ninyo," she said.
Lovely Abella still wants to have another child despite childbirth, postpartum experience
Despite her struggles in giving birth and postpartum recovery, if given the chance, Lovely says she would do it all over again, "At kung tatanungin niyo ako kung gusto ko pa ba ulitin na magkaanak sa kabila ng lahat ng pinagdaanan kong hirap, ang isasagot ko, gustong-gusto, kung pagpapalain ulit kami ni Lord."
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWGet well soon, Lovely! Join our Facebook group for parents, Smart Parenting Village, and let's navigate this parenting journey together.
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