Tags: Celina Le Neindre Edge Davao Gentle Birth Philippines Home Water Birth Meg Hernandez Meghann Hernandez Metro Mom Natural childbirth
Food and beverage consultant, entrepreneur, commercial model, and former ‘Apprentice Asia’ contender, Celina Le Neindre, opens up about her home water birth experience.
Water birth is the process of giving birth in a tub or pool filled with warm water. This is usually done at home or in birthing centers with the assistance of a doula and a midwife. Those who decide to “take the plunge” invest in research and undergo numerous consultations with trusted professionals and experienced individuals.
Just recently, I caught up with a former classmate, Celina Le Neindre—a food and beverage consultant, entrepreneur, commercial model, and former Apprentice Asia contender. She gladly shared her water birth story, in hopes of inspiring others who are planning to take the natural route in bringing their children into the world.
Celina Le Neindre
Personal choice
Water birth has always been Celina’s first choice. “When I was younger, I watched the movie The Blue Lagoon. The female character there gives birth in a lagoon. That gave me an idea of how I wanted my birthing experience to be in the future.”
When Celina got together with Alec van Dierendonck, it took them a while to conceive from the time they decided to start a family.
“When I got pregnant in 2018, Alec supported my plans for home water birth. We asked around and realized that home water birth is not common in the Philippines. While there are more options for water birth in Manila, I couldn’t imagine being stuck there in a condo after giving birth. So, we decided that I would give birth in Davao—our hometown—because the environment and conditions are more conducive for my recovery and adjustment to motherhood.”
Celina shares, “When I got pregnant in 2018, Alec supported my plans for home water birth.”
“Water” the odds
“It took several months before we found a doula, Irina, and she really guided me. However, she is based in Manila and couldn’t travel to Davao at that time because she, too, was pregnant. It also took some time before we found an OB-GYN in Davao who would support our birth plan.”
“Weeks and months passed, and we still couldn’t find a doula or midwife who could go to our house to assist us. We wanted to have the birth in our house so we could control the environment and use the tub. Eventually, I decided to leave it to fate or whatever. If I’d need go to the hospital, then so be it. But at least we tried our best to find solutions for our birth plan.”
Celina on a birthing ball.
Pushing through
Once Celina entered the third trimester, she started preparing the bathtub, accessories, birthing ball, relaxing scents, her playlist, and all the essentials. There was also a mood board to inspire and encourage her should doubts ever cross her mind during the labor.
“Around a month before my due date, Irina informed me that the midwife who assisted her with a couple of water births was going home to Iligan in Mindanao. I gave the midwife a call, and she visited me to discuss my birth plan and how I wanted to do it.”
Photo courtesy of Celina Le Neindre.
Labor day
“The midwife traveled back to Davao during my fortieth week. She monitored me closely, and as well as the baby’s heartbeat. On the third day, I felt a bit of pain in the morning, but I knew I could manage it. We prepared the room while waiting. Apparently, it takes a while to fill up the pool with water.”
Photo courtesy of Celina Le Neindre
“I went into active labor at 1:00 pm and, by then, I could no longer manage the pain. My cervix was 6 cm dilated. In the next hour, the pain was a bit unbearable, and I insisted on going into the pool. They poured hot water, which helped ease the pain and contractions. Alec also massaged my back and hips.”
Photo courtesy of Celina Le Neindre.
Four hours passed, and Celina started having moments of self-doubt. “I was worried that I would need to be hospitalized. I kept those worries to myself and didn’t voice them out because I didn’t want to discourage the people around me.”
“I realized my greatest enemy was myself. I conditioned myself mentally and concentrated on giving it my best. Thirty minutes later, I gave a good push, and Savanna came out. I saw her face under the water. And, contrary to what people think, it’s nothing like a bloody bath.”
Photo courtesy of Celina Le Neindre.
Second pregnancy
In 2021, Celina found out they were expecting another child. “This time around, it was easier because I had prior experience and a better understanding of the birthing process.” She was also fortunate to have connected with a certified doula in Davao.
“I met Maria Teresa Sustiguer, also known as Mommy Tere, a lactation consultant, when she helped me with my breastfeeding journey with Savanna. There was something about her touch that made me think she would make a perfect doula. I told her that and gave her an idea of what a doula is.”
Photo courtesy of Celina Le Neindre.
“A few months later, she told me she completed the doula training and certification and even assisted a water birth in Siargao. She also introduced me to a midwife, Allen Agulan Franco.”
Photo courtesy of Celina Le Neindre.
A welcome surprise
“One morning, during my thirty-eighth week, I felt a mild backache and went to the Pilates studio to ease the pain with a bit of stretching. I proceeded to my OB-GYN appointment right after that and found out my cervix was already 4 cm dilated. It was such a surprise, as I thought I had two more weeks before giving birth. I went home, and the midwife arrived at our place around 5:00 pm.”
Photo courtesy of Celina Le Neindre.
“After we had dinner with friends, I felt a strong punch from the baby, and my water broke. My doula arrived, and she and the midwife helped me and monitored the baby’s heartbeat. The contractions eventually came faster, but I didn’t go into the pool until the pain was really unbearable. Our son, Orion, was born at 1:57 am.”
Celina shares one of the most memorable moments during her birth to Orion. “I caught him as he came out.”
At 3:00 am, Savanna woke up and went to the master’s bedroom. She saw the newborn and gushed, “Baby brother!”
Savanna meets Orion for the first time.
After birth
Celina says her home water birth experiences are nothing short of amazing. “There were a few doubts and hindrances along the way, but when I finally did it, I felt I was born again. I was amazed at what my body can do and how powerful the mind is.”
Savanna gushed, “Baby brother!”
She adds that water birth and motherhood taught her patience. “I am more patient now with everybody. I used to think I would be a strict mother. Now, I understand the natural course of things—how it is all about time and waiting for the right moment. You cannot always force things to happen. Everything, even babies, has its time.”
Celina and Alec with their birth care team.
This story is also published on my Metro Mom column in Edge Davao newspaper. All photos courtesy of Celina Le Neindre.
Families in Davao who are interested in water birth may reach out to doula and breastfeeding consultant Maria Teresa Sustiguer (@doulataranii) on Instagram and connect with midwife Allen Agulan Franco on Facebook. For childbirth photography, contact Wawee De Leon Liwanag at 0921 444 5727.
