A Gentle Birthing Story

 My Birth Story by Grace Calvo-Prager

"Waterbirth is unfamiliar to me. My husband told me about it He encouraged  me that it was the best way to give birth since it will be more easy than the usual birth. He explained what water can do, which can make you calm. I know this  since we are both divers. And we love to be in the water. I always find it so relaxing to be under water. So  I agreed to do waterbirth.To prepare myself for this, I decided to attend a birthing class with Betty(BIRTHING IS A BLESSING CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASS) .  It was really a big help,  especially the  physical, mental and breathing exercises.

 I chose the birthing suite of St. Luke's Global City to do my waterbirth with Dra. Rebecca Singson as my OB GYNE..The birth environment of the birthing suite helped me to feel so much at home. The good thing was my husband was there to support me, massage me and just be with me.

My Doula Betty was there to remind me to  breathe.. inhale.. exhale which  I did and to relax. Breathing and being relaxed helped ease the pain. It was 20 hours of labor and without sleep.I changed positions, stayed upright, moved my body the way I wanted to as she suggested.She  was there to support me all the way and to remind me to stay focus on my goal of having a gentle birth for my baby.   I entered the pool when I felt the contractions the strongest. The water was really soothing and comforting. It came even to a point that I was already sleeping in the tub! 

And now after a long wait, I was so excited to see my baby...bearing down...then  came the urge to push.  And so, I inhaled and exhaled,  I gave it my best...pushing and breathing out my baby.  At 8:34pm on June 3, finally, she naturally came out of me! How wonderful to hear her first cry!.I just can’t believe she's really there!. Now I can hold her in my arms. It was so amazing! My husband almost cried and he said that the sweetest cry he ever heard is the cry of our little, lovely daughter Isabella.

 It was wonderful when they put my baby in my chest....skin to skin. Isabella was crying and so I try to put her in my breast to suck and she did! I really felt at this moment the reality that I am now a mother..  

By that time, it crossed my mind  that we are now three and already a family...me, Felix and Isabella. And from this day on, we need to take care  of each other."

Meet the Facilitator for "The Birth Basics Workshop"

BETTY LUGAY-SANLUIS, CD (CBI)

Betty is our main Chidbirth Mentor. She is a Certified Doula with Childbirth International (CBI), a global training organization committed to establishing international standards for childbirth education programs and doula training.

Betty is assisted by her husband Manny, whos is an HR Professional and Trainer. They have been married for more than 20 years and they have been blessed with five beautiful children - all born through natural childbirth process.

"I am Betty and I am a doula..."

"Birthing is a transformational process. I have personally experienced and witnessed the emotional, pychological and spiritual impact it has on women and families. I am a doula because I am passionate about the process of birth and the transformation it brings. It is my privilege as a doula to support and accompany women and their families in that process."

About the One day Workshop

Birthing is a Blessing "The Birth Basics Workshop" is a one-day workshop that is designed to energize, inspire and 
empower expectant parents for the extraordinary journey of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. Evenif it is only a one day workshop(a short version of our 4 day classes), parents-to-be will be having an exciting day of learning and relaxing at the same time.

The program utilizes a holistic and creative approach that will help prepare the expectant parents as they honor birth and parenthood not simply as a medical event but a profound rite of passage.

It is intended for expectant parents who are at least in the 2nd Trimester ( 13 weeks) of their pregnancy. It is open to whatever birth the couple intends to have—natural, medicated or caesarean section.

Both the expectant mother and father/partner are
encouraged to be present during the program.

Betty Lugay-San Luis, CD (CBI) and Manny R. San Luis are the Main Facilitators. They are a husband-and-wife team. They have five
beautiful children—all born through a natural childbirth
process.

Betty is a Certified Doula and a professional labor coach) with Childbirth
International, a global training organization
committed to establishing international for childbirth education programs and Doula training. Manny, on the other hand, is a Trainer, a Formator and a
Transformational Facilitator.

The program's Secondary
Facilitator is Yeyette San Luis. She is a facilitator of Healing, Wholeness and Well-Being workshops. She also conducts Retreats and Recollections, Spirit Singing
Workshops, Sound Therapy and Drum Workshops

The Birth Basics Workshop...What Every Pregnant Mom Should Know...

TOPICS FOR THE ONE DAY WORKSHOP

• Birthing is a Blessing's 7 Guiding Beliefs  on Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Celebrating the Gift of Motherhood
• Physiology of Pregnancy, Labor and Birth
• Stages of Labor
• Comfort Measures in Labor
• A Pregnant Mom's Health and Wellness
• The Expectant Father's /Partner's Role in Labor and Birth
• Vaginal Birth, C-Section, Homebirth, Waterbirth
• Hospital Procedures
• Prenatal Exercises
• Breathing and Relaxation
• Caring for the Newborn
• Breastfeeding

Birthing is a Blessing – “The Birth Basics Workshop” (One Day Class)

Birthing is a Blessing – “The Birth Basics Workshop” (One Day Class)

Birthing is a Blessing "The Birth Basics Workshop" is a one-day workshop that is designed to energize, inspire and empower expectant parents for the extraordinary journey of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. Evenif it is only a one day workshop(a concise version of our 4 day classes), parents-to-be will be having an exciting day of learning and relaxing at the same time.

Upcoming Schedules: July 21 (Sunday), Aug 18 (Sunday), Sep 15 (Sunday) 2013

Time: 8:00am to 5:00 pm

Venue: Bahay ni Isis International Women’s House, #3 Marunong St., Bgy. Central, Diliman, QC

Attire: Comfortable clothes for exercise; Exercise mat; Pillow

Investment: Php1,500 per couple (Promotional Price)

For Registration to the Workshop/Classes, please deposit payment to our BPI Account:

Account Number:4275 0014 36

Account Name:  MA. BEATRICE LINA L. SAN  LUIS

Once payment has been made, please send an email to me at beasanluis@yahoo.com with the following details:

1.  Complete Name (Pregnant Mom and Partner)

2.  Amount Paid

3.  Date

4. BPI Branch

*  Deposit slip should be presented to the registration committee on the day of the workshop/class.

Contact Betty at +63916 5205787 

A Doula and a Childbirth Mentor in the Philippines

What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained labor and birth support person who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother and her partner during pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum. Today doulas are slowly being recognized for their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and new born infants.

“I see birth as a transformational process. I have personally experienced and witnessed the emotional, psychological and spiritual impact it has on women and families.  I am a doula because I am passionate about the process of birth and the transformation it brings. As a Filipina and a doula, it is my privilege to support and accompany women and their families in that process.”

-- Betty Lugay-San Luis, CD(CBI)

BETTY LUGAY-SAN LUIS, CD (CBI) is the main Childbirth Mentor of Birthing is a Blessing.  She is a Certified Doula with Childbirth International (CBI), a global training organization committed to establishing international standards for childbirth education programs and doula training.  She conducts Childbirth Preparation Classes and nurtures birthing mothers through her Doula Support Service.

Betty is married to her husband Manny for more than 20 years and they have been blessed with five beautiful children—all born through natural childbirth process.