While Meryll Soriano was able to keep her second pregnancy and childbirth private given the COVID-19 pandemic, the actress is slowly opening up on being a mom of two through her YouTube channel, Mama Meme.
In an exclusive interview with SmartParenting.com.ph’s Dibdibang Usapan, the actress shared more details on what it was like being pregnant during a pandemic. Since her last pregnancy with her son Eli was 14 years ago, Meryll says it was as if she was carrying a child for the first time.
“Wala akong expectations, and I think that’s really one of the key important factors that saved me,” Meryll shares. “The only difference is I have to take care of my pregnancy because of my age [37 years old].”
Meryll, who previously shared that she experienced postpartum depression with her firstborn, said that this pregnancy was different. “I was just really happy na pregnant ako,” the mom of two says.
She adds that it was really her partner, Joem Bascon, who stepped up for their growing family. Given that Meryll also had bipolar disorder, Joem knew exactly how to handle her extreme mood swings.
“Alagang-alaga ako ni Joem,” Meryll shares. “Alam na alam niya kung paano ako titimplahin, alam niya na kailangan niya akong patulugin—‘Medyo nag-me-mania ka na,'—so patutulugin niya ako.”
While she developed gestational diabetes—which thankfully cleared after birth—and had a bout with anxiety, Meryll says her pregnancy progressed normally, so much so that she didn’t even know she was already in labor!
“Para siyang pelikula na ang traffic sa EDSA. Ang sakit. Hindi ko alam na ‘yung… ihi ako ng ihi during the morning, ‘yun na pala ‘yun. Wala na akong tubig kaya sobrang sakit na ng contraction ko,” she explains.
Watch Meryll talk about her pregnancy and childbirth in the latest episode of Dibdibang Usapan:
Read how Meryll nurtures a strong bond with her teenage son Eli here.
