Ms. World PH 2018 Katarina Rodriguez on water birth of baby Robert: ‘What’s the essence of a woman? Her power’
Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez shared on social how she gave birth to her son Robert Joaquin back in August, as she fondly recalled her water birth journey.
Rodriquez shared on Instagram that she gave birth on Aug. 25, which she said was a few days earlier than her due date.
“Niño & I didn't think I would give birth early. We were in the dining room playing board games after dinner when I went up to shower. I noticed a small chunk of blood come out, then called midwife Allen who then checked that I was 3cm dilated.”
The beauty queen recalled her water birth experience by answering a question that’s usually asked during pageants.
“What's the essence of a woman? Her POWER. Power to rule her mind and her body. Power to overcome pain that feels like death but in turn births life. The power to do whatever it is she puts her mind to,” she said.
Like most mothers, Rodriguez didn’t hold back from recounting her pain while giving birth. She described her labor as if she “partied all night then ran a marathon right after while having period cramps.”
“The urge felt like fire. My baby boy was demanding to come out. I kept repeating my mantra, ‘I trust my body, I trust my baby, I trust my God,’ over & over while listening to Jazz's voice. Tere yelled for me to open my eyes or it might go bloodshot as the time was very near to push. I shouted if I could push, Tere & Allen shouted back ‘push,’ she recalled.
The beauty queen was in labor for “three and a half intense hours” before her son “came swimming into our world.”
Rodriguez’s contractions and labor pains “suddenly disappeared” when she saw her baby boy’s face for the first time. “I felt like an animal, confused as to where he came from, amazed as to how this baby came from me. This must be the proudest moment of my life.”
The beauty queen also thanked actress Colleen Garcia for lending her birth pool and sending words of encouragement. Garcia gave birth to her son Amari via water birth in September 2020.
Rodriguez couldn’t help but express her love for her son despite the pain she experienced in her water birth journey.
“You'll be in my heart, from this day on, now and forevermore. Robert Joaquin Rodriguez Barbers stole my heart like no one has before,” she said.
Rodriguez also shared a more intimate look into her water birth experience through a YouTube vlog on Monday, Nov. 15.
The beauty queen announced her pregnancy last August, revealing that she and her boyfriend Niño Barbers, have been keeping it a secret for months. The couple has been living in Siargao since March 2020.
Rodriguez represented the Philippines in the Miss World 2018 and Miss Intercontinental 2017 where she finished as first runner-up.
She also competed in the second season of the reality show Asia’s Next Top Model.