Raising Pro-Life Kids - My Natural Birth And Beginning Breastfeeding Story

I hope and pray that our kids will grow up to be pro-lifers as well. Hubby and I vow to do our part in raising our kids to love, respect and care for life in all forms and stages. We hope that by starting early, even while they were in my womb, they will learn how LIFE is God's gift to us.

Photo from www.nafeesablog.blogspot.com (She is a MUSLIM Pro-Life blogger! Cool huh?!)

I gave birth to our second child Alyssa Therese aka Rysse after our Pro-Life Rally in Timor Leste on July 5, 2009. (We actually wanted to name her Vida Alyssa Therese, since "Vida" in Portuguese and Spanish mean "Life", but then her name would be a bit too long by our standards. *smiles* Think of the effort she'd have to put in practicing to write her name!) Timothy Alan aka Tim, our eldest, was born on October 10, 2006, also in Timor, amidst the chaos and confusion of those times (Timor experienced a civil war of sorts in 2006). 

Both were born completely naturally - no anesthesia, and with no formal childbirth instruction such as the Lamaze and Bradley methods. All I had to ease my labor pains were the support, prayers and love of the people dearest to me, and my rosary in one hand, plus a small statue of the Holy Family in the other hand. In between contractions, I would either be whispering or groaning the "Hail Mary". 

There was no ob-gyne to assist me during Tim's birth, which was all the way assisted by a Timorese midwife (whose episiotomy stitches ended up opening and getting infected, which resulted in me getting ANOTHER painful anesthesia-had-no-effect-anymore-because-of-the-swelling episiotomy - but that's another story altogether!). By God's grace though, with Rysse, a kindhearted ob-gyne from the UN, by the name of Dr. Amita Thapa, helped me through, despite her NOT being on duty at that time. Dr. Amita chose to be there, despite initially telling hubby when he called her that I was in labor that she was off duty and couldn't attend to me. (I guess it helped too that I had made sure she knew how "traumatized" I was with the double episiotomy fiasco during my previous consultations with her!) 

By God's grace and Mama Mary's intercession, both babies were born healthy, except Rysse's umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. However, after being home for only a day or two, Tim, and later on, his little sister Rysse, were both hospitalized and treated for hyperbilirubinemia (in other words, pathologic jaundice), due to differing reasons. Rysse also had a UTI and sepsis. Through these challenging times, I chose to breastfeed both of them despite the difficulties. After each baby was born, they were placed on my tummy and given to me to nurse right away.I believe that breastfeeding is pro-life (among other things). Even if I had to deal with improper latch, sore, cracked and bleeding nipples, clogged milk ducts and mastitis, amidst questions and doubts from other family members and friends who are not so educated when it comes to breastfeeding, I choose to breastfeed. This is part of my being pro-life.

If someone were to ask me if I would do it again, i.e. giving birth anesthesia-free, dealing with breastfeeding problems, coping with the challenges of giving birth to and raising kids in a very economically-challenged developing country such as Timor Leste, where the medical facilities can be questionable and downright depressing at times, etc etc... my answer would be "YES." Because through all those experiences, our faith in God, relationship as husband and wife, and most of all, love for God's people, especially our Timorese brethren were strengthened. We were, and still are, the recipients of God's amazing grace, shown especially through the love, support and prayers of our family members, brothers and sisters in the community, and through the miracle of life manifested in Timothy and Therese, our little saints, who one day, will testify to the love of God in their lives, and defend life in every way possible.

In the meantime, I hope to be able to get them involved in pro-life activities like the kids here:

Pic from www.catholicjediacademy.com

Incidentally, we were supposed to bring them to today's Interfaith Pro-Life Rally at the PICC but since they are both sick, hubby doesn't want to risk bringing them. But if YOU, my dear reader, are not doing anything later at 4pm, perhaps you'd like to join it. Here is the invitation below, taken from the Filipinos For Life website, along with details of other pro-life events:

From www.filipinosforlife.com

AN INVITATION: FILIPINOS! UNITE FOR LIFE! 
Interfaith Rally against RH Bill

Edsa People Power Monument
Feb. 12, 2011 Saturday
4pm onwards

Panawagan sa mga dadating sa Interfaith Prayer Rally bukas sa PICC na magdala ng banig at mga sariling bangko sapagkat hindi kayang umarkila ng maraming plastic chair para sa lahat ng darating.Hanggat maari dumating ng maaga dahil 4 to 6 PM ang programa. 6PM Magkakaroon ng Banal na Misa na pamumunuan ni Bishop Ted Bacani.

The Interfaith Prayer Rally against RH Bill has changed its venue and date toFebruary 13, Sunday, 4:00 PM onwards at PICC Grounds, Roxas Blvd. The Coalition of Family and Life are composed of Christians, Muslims and Catholics. We will march and pray together against the RH Bill. Listen to Pro-Life Congressmen, Senators, and other leaders as they speak out on why this anti-life bill should not be passed. Groups represented in this event include:

• Couples for Christ-Foundation for Family and Life
• Human Life International
• Pro-Life Philippines
• ALFI
• Ligaya ng Panginoon
• CFC Global
• Concerned Citizens Movement
• Knights of Columbus
• Catholic Women’s League
• Serviam
• Servants Comm.
• Sangguniang Laiko
• Sanctuario de San Jose
• Diocese of Paranaque
• Muslims for Life
• Intercessors for the Philippine Evangelical groups
• Ang Kapatiran Party
• Buhay Party List
• Phil. Solidarity
• El Shaddai
• CFM and counting!

Magsuot ng light blue armbands at magdala ng plakards at kandila sa rally. Tumawag sa pro-life office at 7337027 or text 09192337783. Makinig sa Radyo Veritas 846para sa dagdag na detalye. Makibaka laban sa Batas RH!

FOR THOSE IN CEBU: 
PRAYER RALLY IN CEBU
“CEBUANOS UNITE FOR LIFE PRAYER RALLY”
Feb. 11, 2011
Fuente 0smena Circle
1:30pm-5:30pm

Attention Cebuanos: March for Life called by Archbishop Jose Palma is, Friday 1:30-5:30 pm converging at Fuente Osmeña. Invited are pro-life politicians: Gov. Gwen Garcia, Cong. Pablo Garcia, Cong. Cutie del Mar, Mayor Mike Rama, Cong. Manny Paquiao.

Defenders of Life, it’s time to unite and protect our generation from the anti-life mentality that brings moral decay to our society.

We will have simultaneous Pro-Life activities this week.

February 10, Thursday, Healing Mass at Sto. Domingo Parish, 5pm-7pm
February 13, Sunday, Subic Marian Peace Regatta, 2pm-10pm, Subic Bay Boardwalk
February 13, Sunday, Interfaith Rally PICC Grounds, 4pm

February 24, 2011: Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV to give a talk for Defensores Fidei Foundation on February 24, 2011, 7-8 P.M., at Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Quezon City. Please spread the word. He will discuss how lay Catholics should respond to theological dissent, drawing upon the experience of lay American Catholics. Any questions, you may contact Carlos Antonio Palad at caloyraj AT yahoo DOT com.