Rica Peralejo finally gave birth to her second born, Baby Manu!
Home birth
Rica Peralejo shared in an Instagram post that she has finally given birth via vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) at home. The actress revealed that she went through 25 hours of “completely unmedicated” labor.
“So many times I wanted to quit… but somehow strength came to my bones and body. Oh I really cannot wait to share it all with you.”
She added, “In those 25 hours his heart rate stayed completely perfect. Never went down. God protected my child through and through. He created AND sustained him. And i believe this is His promise to this child for all the rest of his life.”
In a separate post, Rica’s husband, Joseph Bonifacio said that Baby Manu’s birth was “extremely emotional, difficult, and fulfilling journey.”
He wrote, “We couldn’t have done it without our amazing birth team who all contributed amazing support. That has to be one of my favorite team experiences ever.”
Joe added, “I’m so amazed at my wife for digging down deep at the 23rd hour to find the energy and stamina to push even more. It was definitely God carrying her all throughout.”
The proud daddy also revealed that they named their 8.8-pound baby Manu because the name meant “God with Us” and “God Who Heals.” He explained that the name will serve “as a reminder of our journey with him.”
Take a look at Rica’s VBAC journey here:
VBAC
On June 6, International Homebirth Day, Rica Peralejo posted in her Facebook account that she was planning to have a home birth and was going to try and have a VBAC.
“My firstborn was born via caesarian section but to this day, I still honestly, with my whole heart, believe that the best possible birth for the baby, mom, body, is the most natural way, according to God’s wonderful design for the woman’s body and the baby’s agency. It is the little one’s first encounter in life, and we do not want to rob him of the chance to get a very strong imprint in his soul that this is not only the momma’s job, or the doctor’s job, but that he has his very own part to play in this world.
“So really, if I were to rank births, caesarian or a highly medicalized birth is last on the list of what I think to be the best birth possible. And the first would be homebirth, in the presence of all your loved ones and a birthing team who are willing to do everything possible to make it their first choice to trust God’s intelligent design for our bodies.”
She clarified that although she believes that home birth is “the best birth possible,” she acknowledges that advances in science has in “no doubt saved many lives already.”
She added, “But the sad truth is that this method hasn’t been used only for TRUE emergency purposes but more abused for reasons of convenience, money, and the gravest reason of all: A MISTRUST FOR GOD’S DESIGN FOR BIRTHING BABIES.”
She proceeded to honor her friends who are advocates of home births and midwives, “who are doubted and frowned upon by the modern world; I continue to stand with you and declare more about your tremendous exercise of faith throughout all these deliveries!”
She ended her post with this message: “My prayer is that I can add at least one story to this picture to show everyone that birthing at home is blessed by God. In fact, if you think about it, Jesus himself wasn’t born in a hospital, but in a manger, and His mother was completely unassisted. 
“
Also read: VBAC o C-Section: Alin ang pipiliin ko para sa aking susunod na pagbubuntis?
Is homebirth illegal in the Philippines
Last 2008, the Department of Health of the Philippines, released an Administrative Order (AO) 2008-0029, entitled “Implementing Health Reforms for the Rapid Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality.” the goal is to curb the rising maternal and neonatal deaths due to “home births unsupervised by skilled health professionals.” it is also known as the “no home birthing policy”.
The administrative order, states that all pregnant women should give birth in “facility-based centers” only. Defined as hospitals, lying-in centers, and birthing facilities.
It also indicates that they should be attended by skilled health personnel, like doctors, nurses, and midwives who are knowledgeable in giving birth, they should also have the knowledge to manage the situation with the appropriate management complications that might occur upon giving birth.
It is also defined the required capacities of the birthing facilities such as they should be able to perform six specific medical procedures. To ensure the safety of the mother and her newborn.
However, the DOH denied the banning of home births. In 2011, the Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition Strategy provided guidelines about the administrative order. It was recognized as the “differences in local conditions and constraints. ” of the local government units.
In short, local government units were given the freedom to implement and write ordinances or city laws about the “no home birthing policy”, thus they know the best way suited to their community.
Some municipalities reportedly implemented punitive measures, punishing either the birthing mother or the traditional birth attendant or hilot for conducting home birth,
For example, in Quezon City, they have punitive measures, City Ordinance No.2171, which prohibits home birth in Quezon City, specifically traditional birth attendants such as hilot to deliver babies and requires health professionals to only deliver babies in health facilities. They will be a P5,000 fine if this ordinance will be violated.
Another example, in Sultan Kudirat, if they violated the provisions there will be a fine of P2,000.
Why do experts discourage home birth?
“It is clear that having births in a healthcare facility under a skilled birth attendant is critical in ensuring the health and safety of both the mother and her baby and thus, lowering maternal death. Facility-based delivery is the gold standard.”
Dr. Honorata Catibog director for the DOH Family Health Office stated.
But she also clarified that there is no such thing as a ban on home births.
“There is no such thing as a ban on home births. We know the realities. Given our geography and resources, it is not realistic. We are simply advocating and encouraging facility-based deliveries.”
Disclaimer: Giving birth at home in some areas in the Philippines is prohibited. According to the administrative order of the Department of Health last 2008, the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition Strategy policy” or “no home birth policy.” Their goal is to lower the number of maternal and neonatal deaths in the country. In order to fullfil this policy some local government units implemented punitive measures, such as penalty, imprisonment, and revoking of medical liscence. It could be the traditional birth attendant or hilot, spouse who assisted the delivery, relatives, midwife, other medical professional will get the punishment.
