Giving birth to a human being is one of the greatest miracles in life, but for some parents, taking care of their kids becomes a difficult journey if they are born prematurely.
In an article uploaded at kidshealth.org, “prematurity” is defined as babies born more than three weeks earlier than their expected due date. Premature babies, or preemies, didn't have enough time to grow and develop as much as they should have before birth.
On the same website, it listed some reasons why babies are born early, like a mother is suffering from vaginal bleeding, is underweight, or the mother's womb is not shaped typically.
Premature births can also happen because the mother is about to have multiple births like having twins, triplets, or more.
Based on an article published in mayoclinic.org, premature babies often have serious health problems, especially when they are born very early. These problems often vary. But the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of health challenges.
This is what the situation that former Miss Universe 1999 first runner-up and Unang Hirit host Miriam Quiambao had to go through when her first son with husband Ardy Roberto was born prematurely in February 2019.
Miriam recalled giving birth to Elijah at 35 weeks and even called him a “miracle baby.”
She posted on Instagram, “Has it been a year since I gave birth to my miracle baby? Oh how time flies so fast!
“Everyday I thank the Lord for such wonderful miracles I experience everyday with this little miracle baby of mine, born early at 35 weeks at 7:32pm at Feb 16, 2019.”
Meet these other celebrity parents who shared their stories of giving birth or taking care of their “preemies” in this gallery.
Bianca Lapus gave birth prematurely to her fourth child Ethan Lawrence in January 2019.
The actress has a son with 'It's Showtime' host Vhong Navarro named Isaiah. Aside from Ethan, she has two more sons with partner Jimmy Lawrence Velasquez.
According to Bianca, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy. People with preeclampsia often have high blood pressure (hypertension) and high levels of protein in their urine (proteinuria).
My.clevelandandclinic.org added that it can affect other organs in the body and be dangerous for both the mom and her developing fetus.
Bianca shared the challenges of taking care of preemie in her Instagram post on February 8, 2019.
“It's been a while since I last posted on my feed because I have been in pain and going through emotional roller coaster lately but God blessed me with people who have been taking care of me, supporting & showering me and my little preemie with so much love. Thank you to my prayer warriors too. Some have been sending me messages of encouragement & guidance.”
She continued, “It feels like I'm a 1st time all over again though he is my 4th son. A special shout out to all the Doctors,Nurses,Nurse Aids,staff and interns of UERM.”
Parents will definitely shed a tear with the story of vlogger and manager Ogie Diaz on how he and his whole family fought hard to make sure their bunso, Meerah Khel, would live a healthy life after being born prematurely in February 2017.
The popular showbiz manager also has four other children with his wife Georgette.
Mama Ogs recalled what he said to the doctor attending to baby Meerah in an interview with PEP.Ph.
He remembered, "Sabi ko, 'Doc, gawin natin lahat ng paraan para mabuhay anak ko. Kahit na magbenta ako ng properties, Doc, okay lang ako.
"'Kahit maubos properties ko, mapatunayan ko lang sa anak ko kung gaano ko siya kamahal dahil pinaglaban ko siya.'"
Ogie added, "Sabi ko, 'Ayokong pagdating ng araw na magkita kami sa langit--kung ako ay mapupunta sa langit--sasabihin niya sa akin, e, 'Daddy, kaya ko naman, e. Kaya nga ako lumalaban, e. Ako naman ang hindi mo ipinaglaban. I-ginive up mo agad ako.'
"Ayokong susumbatan ako ng anak ko ng ganun 'pag nagkita kami sa langit.”
Entrepreneur Cristalle Belo revealed that her firstborn Hunter James was born prematurely on May 28, 2018.
When she marked Hunter's sixth month, Mommy Cristalle revealed that breastfeeding did lots of wonders to make her baby boy healthy. “9kg vs 2.3kg. Hunter reached that 6-month mark 2 days ago but technically he's only supposed to be 4.5 months. Everyone asks what vitamins he's on. The answer is: NONE. It's pure breastmilk.
Cristalle married Australian hotelier Justin Pitt in September 2016 and in March 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she gave birth to their second child Siena Victoria.
Many welcomed the great news in August 2018 that former beauty queen Miriam Quiambao is pregnant with her first child with Ardy Roberto at age of 43.
The wait is definitely worth it for the Robert couple since it took a couple of years since they tied the knot in 2014.
It was a miraculous moment for Mommy Miriam, especially since Elijah was born prematurely. But on her son's first birthday, she expressed her gratitude that despite the challenges her child is doing well.
“Everyday I thank the Lord for such wonderful miracles I experience everyday with this little miracle baby of mine, born early at 35 weeks at 7:32pm at Feb 16, 2019 . Grateful for the nurses, doctors and staff of the @asianhospitalph under the expert hands and care of @dr.beckysingson.
“Happy 1st Birthday, @elijahroberto ! You are such a blessing to our family and to everyone around you! .
May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May His great purposes be fulfilled in your life! We love you always!”
Mommy Miriam received another miracle when she welcomed into this world her second baby Ezekiel Isaiah “Ziki” Quiambao-Roberto on July 12, 2021.
This inspirational beauty queen gave birth at the age of 46. She is also a loving stepmom to Ardy's first child, Joshua.
The path to parenthood for Saab Magalona and Jim Bacarro could be described as unconventional and even challenging.
Their son Pancho was born prematurely after his twin's heart stopped beating. In a heartfelt post on Instagram on May 29, 2018, Daddy Jim recalled the ordeal of not being able to grieve properly for their princess Luna because he had to attend to Pancho and Saab, who were recovering in the intensive care unit.
He wrote, “My path to fatherhood wasn't the most conventional to say the least. We spent more than 2 months in the hospital. After losing our daughter Luna, I didn't even have time to grieve. I would go between 2 ICUs to see Saab and Pancho. It was a series of tests and “today this is the problem, and we're not sure what it is, and not sure what to do.” No answers and no proposed solutions.”
Jim added, “But somehow, each time I entered one of those rooms, Saab and Pancho would give me a burst of hope. I'd come in, Saab would be smiling, just happy to see me while Pancho would do little things to show he was fighting--a little kick, smirk or yawn would make my day. Nothing about this was normal. It was beyond our capacity as humans to deal with such a trial.”
“For so long I wondered where God is in all of this: in tragedy, evil and suffering. I found him there--that somehow Saab and I could manage to kiss each other, smile at each other and comfort one another amidst this. I see him through Pancho.”
Pancho turned five-years-old last February 2023 and has been accepted into a regular school according to Saab's update last July.
The proud mom marked this new milestone of her “miracle boy” saying, “Pancho has been accepted into a regular school!!!
“It was recommended by his neurodevelopmental pediatrician that he surround himself with his peers and go to school. As a mom with birthing trauma, I was skeptical and I thought of all the excuses for him to just stay home.”
“I started out skeptical, now I'm excited. Pls pray that his first year of schooling goes well Also praying for Cheng who will be accompanying him everyday in school Thank you, virtual ninangs and ninongs!”
Brazilian-Japanese model and actor Fabio Ide is staying strong for his partner Ellen and their twins Maya and Luna, who were born at 30 weeks. Their angels are being cared for by the medical team of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Makati Medical Center.
Fabio keeps his positive outlook that his children will overcome the challenges despite being born prematurely.
Fabio posted on Instagram, “Despite the worrying, stress and tiredness @ellenfrojd and I have been with them every day, bringing fresh milk and doing kangaroo mother and father care, so they get to improve faster by each day. It has been a roller coaster of emotions but we know we got this and no matter what happens we are only leaving Makati Med once we have both of them in our arms.”
The celebrity dad added, “It is just a matter of time before we can bring these two little Vikings home and give them so much love and affection the way it's supposed to be. Step by step we are getting where we want to be…. HOME.”
In a recent update last September 11, 2023, Daddy Fabio informed everyone that they were able to bring Maya home after getting clearance from the hospital. In October, Luna was discharged from the NICU as well.
“He fought for his place in this world”
This is how Alfred Vargas's wife, Yasmine described their son, Alfredo Cristiano E. Vargas IV who was born 35 weeks or premature in 2019.
Yasmine wrote a tear-jerking letter recalling her third pregnancy in January 2019 and what she and Cristiano had to go through together.
She explained, “As my pregnancy journey has come to an end, I think about all the things I wish I have done differently or I wish that never happened.
“But then, I'm just thankful that everything went well. And I'm now holding in my arms my baby boy.
“My heart is filled with love for my Cristiano. I am brought to tears when I think of all we have been through together.”
The month of February 2023 is a special one for 'My Husband's Lover' star Victor Basa and Stephanie Dan when they announced that they are expecting their first child. The two got married in 2019.
The model-actor hinted on his Instagram post sharing the news that Stephanie already gave birth and that Alessandra Emmanuele was a preemie.
“A dream is a wish our hearts made when hoping and praying for our little Alessandra Emmanuele who was born a little sooner than expected but is healthy and lively much to our delight. As first-time parents I can imagine it can be more jarring to welcome a baby into the world especially at our tender age of... but am so thankful for the best doctors recommended that kept mommy and baby safe.
“So thankful to my family for being there and praying with us through our fears during these first few days of life and bringing food all the way to hospital. Also to our friends and d-groups praying continuously for safe delivery.”
Award-winning 'Barangay LS' DJ Papa Dudut is ready to take on the new challenge: being a dad to his fraternal twins with partner Jenymae Angeles.
In his Facebook update, the radio jockey shared that his wife Jem gave birth to their kids named Reign Jiana A. Ricafrente and Renz Jian A. Ricafrente via caesarian section last April 2, 2024.
In an interview with GMA News Online, the Barangay Love Stories host revealed that their babies were born too early or what they call preterm births. Jem carried their twins for 32 weeks. He said, "All good ang aming mga warrior twins na nagpapalakas ngayon sa incubators. Salamat kay Lord sa aming family and friends… at sa mga nurses and doctors na nagaalaga sa aking pamilya.”