Thursday, January 03, 2008
New Year babies
By Nancy R. Cudis
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
AS THEY carried their rosy-cheeked babies into the obstetrics extension ward of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), two new mothers greeted the New Year with joy and contentment.
Outside, it rained heavily, drenching several annoyed commuters.
But 20-year-old Jacquilyn Cadutdut paid no heed to them as she cuddled her sleeping 7.4-pound baby girl and swayed with her near their bed.
The ward has 10 beds and Jacquilyn shared one with another patient. Even this did not worry her, saying she was content just holding the baby.
Her baby, Stacy Raine, was born on New Year’s Day at 2:34 p.m.
Jacquilyn expected to deliver the baby on Dec. 17 yet, but went into labor only on New Year’s Eve.
Upon the advice of a midwife she consulted in the Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City’s health center, she checked into CCMC, where she gave birth on Jan. 1.
The delivery was smooth and easy, the new mother said of her experience.
“I am happy that of all the days, I gave birth on Jan. 1. I did not expect my delivery to reach January. I’m so happy,” said Jacquilyn, a production worker in Barangay Lahug.
Stacy Raine will bear her father’s surname, Rentucan.
Jorey Rentucan, 22, Jacquilyn’s live-in partner, works as a construction worker. He was resting on a bed next to Jacquilyn’s when Sun.Star Cebu visited the family.
Jacquilyn, who did not undergo ultrasound examination, is looking forward to getting treated by relatives who won in the betting on the baby’s gender.
Not far from Jacquilyn’s bed was 18-year-old Angelin Umbao from Barangay Talamban. In a quiet corner, she was feeding her first baby, a healthy boy who weighed over six pounds, when Sun.Star Cebu first saw her.
Angelin expected to deliver on Christmas Day but she only started feeling labor pains on Dec. 31.
She traveled from the Talamban Health Center to the Eversley Childs Sanitarium in Mandaue to CCMC, where she finally gave birth on Jan. 1 at 1:23 p.m.
The baby will be named John Reynald, to honor Angelin’s mother and her aunt, who she said raised her. John Reynald will carry his father’s surname, Tanoy.
Angelin’s younger sister, Kathleya Jane, said the family, at first, did not welcome Angelin’s pregnancy. But when Angelin gave birth, the whole family rejoiced.
“I’m so happy I can’t describe how I really feel. I learned that to have a baby born on Jan. 1 and in 2008 is lucky,” the mother said.
Angelin looks forward to residing in Barangay Apas with her future husband, who works as a habal-habal driver.
Both Jacquilyn and Angelin are eldest of four siblings.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 3, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
