My Birthing Story: Connie Sison-Escudero

Connie Sison-Escudero, 37 years old
Broadcast journalist and TV host
Wife to Chris, mom to Danielle, 18; Gabrielle, 9; and Maxine, 8 months

SP: Tell us your birthing story.
Connie: I had my third daughter Maxine after 9 and a half years [since my second daughter] so it’s really challenging for me kasi nanganganay. On my 8th month, I had to stay in the ICU for one day, kasi continuous yung contractions. Wala pa syang 37 weeks, she wanted to come out already, and it was Christmas time!

My OB-Gyn was concerned [about my condition] so she asked me if I was stressed about something. Wala naman, so I guess it was just the holiday season [that was causing the stress], or maybe I was also excited knowing that anytime soon mahahawakan ko na sya. Inalagaan talaga ako ng OB-Gyn para umabot man lang ng 37 weeks, pero talagang di na sya umabot, so my OB-Gyn decided to cut me open. My due date was January 24 but I gave birth on January 3, 2012 to my third daughter Maxine Sison Escudero. She weighed 6.3 lbs at birth.

Early on in my pregnancy, I had an ultrasound and when I found out that we were going to have another girl, inayos ko na yung baby room kaya pagdating nya kumpleto na gamit nya.

I had about 8 baby showers; I’m so lucky to have so many wonderful friends from high school, college and from work, so yung mga gamit nya halos kumpleto na noon pero of course I had to buy the more expensive stuff like baby monitors, and the crib, etc.

SP: Was Maxine roomed in immediately?
Connie: In Medical City, they have a new policy where the baby will be brought immediately to the mom’s room (if the baby is healthy). Doon nagsimula ang lahat kung bakit hanggang ngayon ang baby ko natutulog sa chest ko. Simula nung nanganak ako sa kanya, hindi na kami naghiwalay. Sa recovery room, magkasama kami. The only time we were separated for a while was when they were cleaning her, although I could still see her.

SP: How did you adjust to her sleeping schedule?
Connie: Mas kaya ko than most women 'yung paggising sa madaling araw kasi I normally wake up at 3 AM for Unang Hirit, sanay na ang katawan ko doon. Ang mahirap lang ay 'yung after two hours, gigising ka ulit. Nung nanganak ako kay Maxine, wala akong yaya, and I gave birth by Caesarean section. Ang hirap! But I had to force myself na tumayo agad second day pa lang. On my third day umuwi na ako sa bahay. Nagpaalam ako sa doctor, sabi ko I can relax better at home.

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SP: Did you have any cravings while pregnant?
Connie: Mahilig talaga ako sa sweets but I needed to control. I ate everything in moderation because I was so scared about having gestational diabetes. Pero when I was pregnant, I would eat dalandan na may asin at konting toyo. Parang gusto ko lang ng maasim.

SP: What do you do to lose the extra weight?
Connie: There are no shortcuts sa pagpapapayat. In one of my shows, PinoyMD, I was challenged by one of the doctors to undergo a change in lifestyle. Talagang nag-lifestyle change ako. Nasanay kasi 'yung body ko to eat everything that I wanted, and after you give birth parang ganun pa din yung gusto mong gawin. So what I did was to enroll in kickboxing classes at Gold’s Gym, which I do MWF, then I go to Whitespace for yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pag medyo nagsasawa ako, I do Rip 360 (for toning) sa bahay. I like it kasi hindi mo kailangang bumili ng expensive equipment.

Of course, sinasabayan mo dapat ng diet; I’m doing a 1,200-calories-per-day diet. I monitor my calorie intake using the mobile phone app My Fitness Pal. I’m learning to choose the food I eat. Kahit sa buffet, kaya kong piliin kung alin yung pinaka-konti sa calories and that’s what I eat. Instead of frying, we steam our vegetables and fish. Instead of white rice, I eat brown rice. No more softdrinks. In a week, may cheat day naman ako pero masasanay na din ang katawan mo kaya hindi na din hahanapin. Pag may craving ako, I give in. I don't deprive myself, pero konting-konti lang. Pag natikman ko na, tapos na. It’s all in the mind. Pag sinuppress mo naman kasi yung cravings mo, you end up binging on it after.

Yung kickboxing, 1 month ko nang ginagawa, and I already lost 8 pounds (2 pounds per week). In inches, I lost 4 inches around my waist. Medyo nahihirapan ako sa arms and that’s where Rip 360 helps. Para syang circuit training.

I realized over the last two years that in order to lose weight, hindi pwedeng isisingit mo lang ang exercise. You really have to make time for it in your schedule. After my morning show Unang Hirit, diretso na ako sa gym. In fact I even instructed my driver na pag nagpauwi ako, dalhin pa din nya ako sa Gold’s Gym. Sabi ko, wag mo akong susundin (laughs). So kahit tinatamad ako, andito na ako e. Wala akong choice. That’s how I do it, and it works. I’m really pushing myself, and it’s not anymore about looking good – of course that’s a bonus – but it’s really about becoming healthier. When you think about it, sino’ng mag-aalaga ng mga anak ko ‘pag nawala ako? Like I always say in my show, iisa lang ang katawan, dapat nating alagaan. It’s our responsibility.

SP: Any tips for new moms?
Connie:
1. Be practical. Kahit gaano ka-cute ang shoes or clothes, buy the not-so-expensive ones kasi makakalakihan agad. And make sure the quality is also good.
2. Enjoy parenthood as much as you can. Right now I’m so crazy about Maxine. I’m so blessed to have a husband who’s supportive.  
3. Plan your family. Pinag-uusapan dapat yan. Sa panahon ngayon, mahal magpaaral. And it’s not just the money, it’s more of the attention, kailangan sure ako that I can give them love, spiritual guidance.

What's in Maxine's baby bag? Click 'View slideshow' above to browse through the photos!

Connie Sison-Escudero was featured in the Preggy Chronicles section of Smart Parenting's January-February 2013 issue.

Photos by Dairy Darilag