'Naglalaba Pa Habang Nagla-Labor,' 'Parang Nadudumi Lang,' Anong Kuwentong Labor Mo?

You may have heard how your mother survived her labor prior to giving birth. I once asked my mom how painful it was, and she said it was like rhythmic waves of contractions or a series of severe menstrual cramps causing her to be in pain.

I couldn’t imagine how painful it was until I experienced it myself; I had to hold onto the steel rod of my hospital bed every severe cramping period. I had to sing hymns to calm myself from pain, and after 27 hours of labor, I finally felt the real meaning of exhausted.

Moms share their stories of labor and childbirth

Moms from the Smart Parenting Village shared their labor stories. Each mom has a different tale to tell. This Labor Day, we will recall how mothers experienced labor—for some, it was marked by excruciating pain, and for others, it was bearable. For other moms, it was a horrifying experience and for some, they had funny tales. Each narrative is a testament that accompanies bringing new life into the world.

Laba o labor

“Sa second baby ko, naglaba pa ko habang naglelabor. Wala akong kasama sa bahay eh. Yung asawa ko nasa trabaho. Ayaw ko kasi yung may matatambak na gawain lalo't mahirap ang tubig. Nagkataon na sched ko talaga ng paglalaba yun. Yung anak kong panganay pinasundo ko lang sa kapatid ko habang naglalaba ako. Sabi ko balitaan ko nalang sila. Eh may baby rin yun kaya hindi niya ko masasamahan. Tapos after ko maglaba, naglakad na ko papunta lying in. 1PM ako naglaba. 5PM ako nagpunta ng lying-in, 8cm na and then 6PM baby out. Quarter to 7PM pa nakauwi asawa ko galing work. Bawal kasi mag-undertime. Sa lying-in na kami nagkita.” -Mommy Nariza R.

"I remember telling my nurse was, "Ate, najejebs ako." Next thing I know, my OB-Gyn's telling me to push because the baby's head already crowned!" —Mommy Kat P.

Pineapple and nipple

“March 20, 2024. May dugo na pag-gising ko sa morning so I went to the hospital na pero dahil no pain pa ako, pinauwi na muna ako. 12 midnight nagstart na sumakit. 2AM, tuloy-tuloy na ang contraction kaya takbo agad sa hospital. Nasa ER pa lang, pumutok na ang panubigan. Hindi inabot ng 2 minutes sa delivery room, lumabas agad. Wala nang swero dahil fully dilated na agad. For me, effective talaga ang pagkain ng pineapple and nipple stimulation.” -Mommy Mitch

'Feeling na-jejebs'

“During my first pregnancy, a friend of mine told me that I'll know the baby's coming if "feeling ko najejebs ako." Imagine my stress level when at 36 weeks I was constipated and had to poop. Every time I needed to go, I was constantly in fear that the baby would come out if I pushed too hard. Day of labor came and the last thing I remember telling my nurse was, "Ate, najejebs ako." Next thing I know, my OB-Gyn's telling me to push because the baby's head already crowned!" -Mommy Kat P.

Three different labor stories, one love

“Iba-iba ang experience ko ng labor with my three pregnancies and birth, but all the same na labor of love. Surging all the contractions and embracing the pain hanggang makalabas ang baby. So glad that I was not alone kasi nasa tabi ko si husband all throughout. Laking factor lalo na sa unmedicated/natural birth kasi nag-help siya mag activate ng natural chemicals sa body ko to induce labor and delivery.

With my eldest child, more than eight hours of labor na masakit talaga. Nag water labor ako at legit na nakakabawas ng sakit. Nakaka-relax yung warm water during labor pati ang pag massage ni husband. Then all unmedicated and all natural birth/delivery.

With my second child, four hours of labor. May mga labor exercises na pinagawa sakin ang OB ko para mas madali ang pag progress. I was able to deliver my baby via waterbirth, unmedicated.

With my third baby, hindi na nakapag-labor kasi na-emergency Caesarean section (CS). I was all prepared to endure the pain of labor again. Kaso iba pala ang plan ni baby sa birth plan na naihanda namin.” -Mommy MaAnn M.

"Remind ako ng remind sa mga nurse na please, 'wag punasan yung kilay ko para wag mabura! Umiire ako pero yung utak ko nasa after-birth picture-taking na.” —Mommy Kriz T.

No labor at all

“No labor at all. Galing ako sa check-up, elevated na blood pressure (BP) ko. I was given meds, but then later that night, I was having headaches and BP wouldn't go down despite the meds. Dinala na ako sa hospital at 2AM. I was 160/100 na by this time. 11AM, emergency CS at 38 weeks because of pre-eclampsia. My OB who delivered my baby was the same OB who delivered me 30+ years ago.” -Mommy Dada C.

New year baby

“New year: while everyone else was celebrating, I was starting to feel contractions by 2AM. Tinulog ko. Then by 6AM, sabi ko sa family ko I have spotting na. I ate breakfast and travelled two hours from Laguna to Manila. Nag-resort pa kasi New Year! Good thing, ready na ang hospital bags and papers. When we arrived in the hospital, 8cm na. Hindi na na-interview pero waiting for COVID-19 test result. Nung nag-negative, I went to the delivery room, and after 20 minutes, poof! Craziest labor. Every contraction, tinutulog ko. Inhale and exhale without the urge to ire. And when the time was right, I pushed and yun, lumabas din ang New Year baby namin.” -Mommy Stella

Kilay is life

“Hindi ako pinayagan ng OB ko na magpa-tattoo ng kilay kaya bago kami magpunta ng hospital, nag-kilay muna ako and while namamawis because of labor and delivery, remind ako ng remind sa mga nurse na please, 'wag punasan yung kilay ko para wag mabura! Umiire ako pero yung utak ko nasa after-birth picture-taking na.” -Mommy Kriz T.

COVID-Positive

"My contractions started at 4AM on January 22, 2022. Preparatory RT-PCR test results showed I was COVID-positive. So the birth plan of normal unmedicated birth can’t be pushed through according to OB-Gyn, default will be CS. Upon the arrival of my husband, we went to the hospital at 3PM. On the way, I can’t sit so I needed to kneel in the car while continuously breathing in and out. Arrived at ER at 4PM. Upon initial checking, I was at 5cm already. So at 5PM, I entered the labor room for COVID patients. Fearful that I'll go through CS because of the cost, I just let it go and surrendered to God. Thank God, through continuous breathing, power anchoring, and talking to my baby inside, we were able to deliver as planned as a normal unmedicated birth. At 9PM, my baby was out, and tested negative for COVID. -Mommy Lilicar E.

Nag-labor, na-CS

Several moms from the group also shared how they labored for many hours, but ended up delivering their babies via Caesarean section.

“Labored for 42 hours for my first born. My water broke but my cervix was only at 1cm at the time so I had to be induced. But since my water broke already, we can’t wait longer than we already have as it already poses an infection risk to my baby. I ended up delivering via C-section.” -Mommy Mariz C.

Trust your OB-Gyn

“Traumatic experience. I was brought to the ER night of July 1, due to heavy and full contractions. 3cm pa lang ako that time, hintay muna na mag-progress. July 2, I was admitted and induced twice na kasi contractions were getting heavier that I wasn't able to eat or drink anything, pero 3cm pa din. July 3, I was induced for the third time and the doctor recommended me to be discharge if wala pa din progress. So I was discharged due to false labor, but continuous pa din yung heavy contractions ko at that time. I begged my OB na i-CS ako (kulang nalang lumuhod ako), but she refused and told me na walang reason para i-CS ako. So ayun, she promised me na if hindi pa lumabas si baby by July 8, she'll agree na i-CS ako. Bumalik ako ng umaga ng July 8, in-induce at nag-normal delivery ng gabi. Traumatic siya for me because I really thought na I was not gonna make it through the week. Kahit yung katawan ko had traumatic shocks after the labor. I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling the contractions, thinking I was still on labor. Naging trigger din siguro yun sa pagkakaroon ko ng postpartum depression. -Mommy Arvie P.

Thesis defense

"I was very lucky to have an easy labor! I was young when I had my daughter. I was just 20 and was about to graduate college. Nanganak ako on the day of my thesis defense! The night before, nagpuyat, nag-finalize ng thesis, then went to bed madaling araw na. Woke up around 11AM, needing to pee, then I realized I was peeing longer than usual. Nag-sink in sa ‘kin na, 'Oh my, amniotic fluid na ata ito!' Before we went to the hospital, nakapag-makeup at ayos pa ako! When we arrived, confirmed na in labor na nga ako and was around 4cm. By 4PM that day, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl! Thesis defense was at 5PM and I joked na, 'Aba, pwede pa ko humabol!” -Mommy Lovelle C.

Tips on how to prepare for labor

These are some of the many labor stories from moms at the Smart Parenting Village. Some are beautiful, others traumatic, but every story is worth sharing. If you’re a new mom preparing for birth, here are some tips on how to prepare for labor:

1. Take childbirth classes.

Attend childbirth education classes to learn about the labor process, pain management techniques, and what to expect during delivery.

2. Create a birth plan.

Discuss your preferences with your healthcare provider and partner, outlining your choices for pain relief, labor positions, and persons you want present during labor. However, there are hospitals that prohibit visitors inside the delivery room. Better to ask the hospital ahead regarding their guidelines for labor and delivery.

3. Stay active.

Engage in safe prenatal exercises like walking to maintain strength and stamina for labor, but make sure to ask your healthcare provider before doing so.

4. Practice relaxation and breathing techniques.

Learn relaxation methods such as deep breathing and visualization to manage labor pain and stay calm during contractions.

5. Pack your hospital bag ahead.

Prepare a bag with essentials for labor and postpartum, including comfortable clothing, toiletries, snacks, and items for your newborn.

Remember that every labor experience is unique, and it's okay to adjust your plans based on what feels right for you and your baby.

Happy Labor Day, mamas! Want to share your story too? Join the discussion at the Smart Parenting Village on Facebook here.