Daphne’s ‘miracle’ baby

For a while, Daphne Oseña was worried she would lose her and husband Patrick Paez’s first baby which, in the first place, she never thought she could have because of "sub chorionic hematoma" caused by the ruptured ovary she had sustained during a scuba-diving incident in Puerto Galera sometime in 2000.

It was prayer that sustained Daphne through her ordeal which will hopefully end when she’s expected to deliver third week of February what she and Patrick call their "miracle" baby, a girl according to the ultrasound, whom the couple is calling Sophia Rose as suggested by Cher Calvin, Daphne’s co-host (along with Angel Aquino) on the ABS-CBN show F and one of the baby’s godparents.

In a letter to Funfare, Daphne recalls her difficult pregnancy:

I’m now on my last month of pregnancy, due Feb. 22-28. As you know, Patrick and I got married on May 4, 2002, in Batulao, Batangas. And when we went on our honeymoon in Bali late May we were blessed with a baby. We were so happy, of course, because we always knew we wanted to start our family right away. Patrick and I dated for four years and we felt we were ready anytime to be parents. And we were proud of our "honeymoon baby."

Just as we were celebrating the conception of our baby, on my ninth week I had a severe case of bleeding. It was found that I had a condition called "sub chorionic hematoma" which is a rare condition affecting the wall of my uterus. It turns out that there is a blood clot on my uterus which is causing active bleeding and threatening the security of my baby. But through it all the baby was showing no sign of weakness – she always had a strong heart and the placenta was fully attached.

There was no cure for the condition except complete bed rest. There was even a time when I was hospitalized for two weeks at the Asian Hospital for severe bleeding. I had to remain lying down for almost three months. There were a few times I was absent in F, but most of my shows continued. I continued to tape for F, using a wheel chair.

At the worst and lowest point, doctors even warned me of the possibility of miscarriage. But I refused to believe because I knew my baby was strong. Only prayers saved us. God gave me my baby on our honeymoon trip for a reason. The mere fact that I conceived was a miracle in itself because of my medical history. Back in Oct. 2000, a scuba-diving incident in Puerto Galera left me with a ruptured ovary. Since then, I feared the possibility of being infertile. But the Lord has His ways of working things out and now Patrick and I are expecting a baby girl in one month. We are also taking Lamaze classes.

By the way, on my fifth month after three months of active bleeding, a miracle occurred. The bleeding stopped and the blood clot disappeared. My baby was saved. And my pregnancy proceeded smoothly. We will name our baby girl Sophia Rose, a name suggested by her Ninang Cher Calvin.

Incidentally, Daphne and Angel said that they’re saddened by Cher’s decision to quit F (and her other ANC Channel shows like The News Central and Dateline: Philippines) in favor of a similar job on The Fox News effective first week of February.

"She’s such a great loss to us," said Daphne. "The three of us have become not only close but like sisters after having been together for four years. But professionally, we support Cher on this her career move."

Even without Cher and with the support of the ABS-CBN’s Current Affairs management (particularly SVP Arlene de Castro, wife of Sen. Noli de Castro), F will continue to air on its current timeslot (Saturdays, 11:30 on ABS-CBN), it being a constant and consistent rater, with more than enough commercial load.

"When 9/11 happened," recalled Daphne, "Cher (who calls New York her second home; that’s where her dad, actor Roger Calvin, is based) went on extended leave. Angel and I carried the show just the same, just the two of us. And we hope to continue to give our loyal audience the same weekly updates of the best on lifestyle news."

But soon, we’ll have to excuse Daphne while she keeps her date with the stork.