“Hadlok gud ko pero dili lang nako mabutang sa akong kasing-kasing. Ingon sila kung ang mama daw mahadlokan pati pud ang baby mahadlok.” (I’m really scared, but I try not to keep that fear in my heart. They say that when a mother is afraid, the baby will be afraid too.)
Jaya* (not her real name), 18, is among the expectant mothers staying in an evacuation center in Malapatan, Sarangani after the 7.8 magnitude struck Southern Mindanao. Among the few belongings she brought to the center was a box filled with baby clothes and diapers as she prepares for the birth of her baby.
But as she nears her due date this month, Jaya worries less about what she has packed and more about whether she will be able to access the care she needs.
Like many families displaced by the earthquake, she faces challenges accessing healthcare. She worries about possible complications and hopes to give birth in a hospital where she can receive proper care if bleeding or other emergencies occur.
“Kung diri ko manganak, wala katabang, hadlok kaayo ko. Dapat makalarga na gyud,” Jaya said. (If I give birth here and no one can help me, I am really scared. I need to be able to travel [to a hospital].)
Inside the evacuation center, Jaya stays under a mosquito tent with the relief items her family received. She was given iron supplements, which are important during pregnancy to help prevent anemia and support the health of both mother and baby. However, she still needs regular prenatal checkups to monitor her pregnancy and identify any complications that may require medical attention.
While families in the evacuation center were advised to approach personnel in case of emergencies, health providers are not always available on site. With many children and families seeking care, Jaya was unable to receive a consultation as the health providers had to leave before they could attend to everyone waiting.
At the evacuation center, Jaya received a water jerry can from Save the Children to help her family safely store water and First 1,000 Days (F1KD) information materials with guidance on health, nutrition, and responsive care during pregnancy up to her child’s second birthday.
Jaya was further supported by the organization through referring her to a maternity waiting home to help ensure she has timely access to maternal health care and a safe delivery.
When the earthquake struck, Jaya felt dizzy and held onto a chair for support. She began experiencing contractions and tried to ease the discomfort by gently rubbing her stomach. After the shaking stopped, she went outside and noticed that the water in the creek near their house was rising. Fearing further danger, she and her live-in partner's family decided to evacuate to the nearest evacuation center.
Days later, the box of baby clothes and diapers remains beside her sleeping space in the evacuation center. As she waits for her due date, Jaya continues to prepare for her baby's arrival. Despite the uncertainty, she said she believes that if she stays strong, her baby will feel safe.