A first-time mom's journey through motherhood

Category : Lifestyle | Sub Category : Lifestyle Posted on 2025-05-10 03:06:53

PNA

DARAGA, Albay – For 12 years, the Lucila couple, Charissa and Noli, had hoped for their own bundle of joy. But all the cards seemed stacked against them.

When Charissa was 18, her doctor warned her that she might never be able to get pregnant, as she had been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome -- a hormonal condition that is a leading cause of infertility since it disrupts normal ovulation.

"That news shattered me. I was devastated, but I was determined to find a way. All through my college days, I was on different medications," the bank manager shared in a mix of English and Filipino.

Not one to give false hopes, she said she opened up about her condition while her husband was still wooing her during her final year of college.

"From the very beginning, he understood and offered unwavering support," the glowing wife proudly said.

But the reality of not being able to conceive eventually set in after their marriage. With societal expectations weighing heavily on her shoulders, Charissa said their season of waiting was a journey paved with so much uncertainty.

"After we got married, we tried everything. We consulted different doctors and tried various medications, but nothing worked. My body just was not responding. Eventually, it all became too much -- emotionally, financially, and physically," she bared.

Years of hormone treatments and countless negative tests led the couple to quietly lay their dream to rest.

"We knew we could not afford the IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments, so we simply surrendered everything to God. Through the years, my prayer was simple: 'Thy will be done.'"

Then the pandemic happened.

With the subsequent lockdowns restricting mobility, the couple could not travel to Manila for tests or checkups, so Charissa was forced to stop all her medications.

"Looking back, I think the pandemic gave my body the rest that I badly needed," she said.

In 2022, Charissa decided to have another checkup.

"My doctor told me that one of my ovaries looked normal and only one was polycystic. It felt like a spark of hope, like maybe my body was finally starting to work on its own. I even started getting regular periods," she said.

It was not until two years later, however, that the couple's long-awaited prayer was finally answered.

"I will never forget that day – Jan. 31, 2024. I had just come home from a meeting, and I don’t even know why, but something told me to take a pregnancy test. I was not expecting anything," the mother from Daraga town in Albay said.

"I just took one test – and boom, two lines. I was in shock. It was the first time I had ever seen that result. I cried. My baby was conceived naturally, without any medication.”

A miracle baby

On Aug. 27, 2024, at age 39, Charissa gave birth to her precious baby girl, Mary Francine.

But the road to her dream was no easy feat.

Suffering from high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, she was confined to a hospital for a week and was placed on bed rest for a month.

Originally scheduled for a C-section on Aug. 31, she had to undergo an emergency procedure four days earlier after doctors detected signs of distress in the baby during her routine check-up.

"I was scheduled for a non-stress test to monitor any contractions and check if the baby’s heartbeat was normal. That’s when they noticed her heartbeat was elevated and my blood pressure was high again, so I was immediately rushed to the ER," she recalled.

"She had one loop of the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck; maybe that’s why she was already stressed inside. Thank God, she came out healthy and normal."

All the pain, however, was worth it the moment the little life she had long prayed for was finally placed on her chest.

"The first time I saw her, I was overcome with joy and gratitude. After years of waiting and praying, our miracle finally arrived," she bared.

First-time mom

Mother's Day takes on a different meaning for Charissa this year because this is the first time that she will be celebrating as a mom.

Described by her husband as a "dedicated wife and mother," Noli said Charissa has always considered the welfare of their growing family.

While being a bank manager is already a tall order, she disclosed that being a new mom on top of that adds a whole new layer of challenges.

"I really struggled going back to work after my maternity leave. What kept me going was the mindset that I need to work and strive harder for her future since all our dreams now include her."

For couples who are still in their season of waiting, Charissa said it is important that they keep their bond strong.

"Enjoy each other’s company and nurture your friendship. Having a baby is not a contest, and it should not create pressure between partners," the first-time mom said.

"The right time will come when both are truly ready. It may take years, but when that happens, it will be all worth it."