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.