Motherhood is one of life's most beautiful milestones—filled with excitement, hope, and the tender anticipation of new beginnings. For actress and mom Coleen Garcia-Crawford, her second birthing journey at St. Luke's Medical Center, a top-of-the-mind hospital in the Philippines for childbirth, was more than just about welcoming her baby—it was about finding comfort, safety, and the freedom to choose the birthing plan that felt right for her.

Coleen's first childbirth took place at home during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While she had initially wanted a hospital water birth, restrictions made it impossible at that time.

Her first home birth, though memorable, was filled with challenges and anxiety. It left her longing for a safe delivery with the reassurance of medical support. That’s why, during her second pregnancy, she knew she wanted a very different experience.

"I decided to give birth here in St. Luke's. It's where I wanted to give birth at the start, because not a lot of hospitals offer water birth here in the Philippines, and I just really trust St. Luke's so much. This is my family's hospital. We come here for all of our checkups. Our doctors are here. Our pediatrician is here. Now, my OB is also here, so every time we do our executive checkup, it's always here as well. We've been just very happy with the service here in St. Luke's, and we have no complaints whatsoever. So I guess choosing to give birth here was really a no-brainer for us," Coleen shared.

Although her delivery happened so quickly that she didn’t make it to the birthing tub, she describes the experience as smooth, joyful, and deeply reassuring.

She highlighted that a crucial part of her journey was the care she received from her obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), Dr. Karen Alessandra Ty-Torredes, whom she describes as compassionate, supportive, and well-versed in modern birthing practices. 

As Coleen emphasized, "She understands a lot of the modern traditions. She was very understanding of my lifestyle, which still included a lot of work and working out, and she guided me through the entire process." 

Coleen's experience highlights why many moms consider St. Luke’s home to the best OB-GYNs in Manila—experts who combine medical excellence with genuine and compassionate care.

On top of that, Coleen was also impressed by how well-equipped St. Luke's delivery rooms were for natural births and comfort-based care: “The delivery room had absolutely everything I needed. They have yoga balls of every size. They have speakers, so everything I would have needed anyway, they had it all in the delivery room. So at least I know next time around, they are so well-equipped with everything that mothers usually ask for and mothers usually request," she said. 

This level of preparation gave her confidence that no matter how her birth unfolded, she and her baby would be safe.

For Coleen, the real difference in choosing St. Luke's was the peace of mind she experienced. She added, "Everything felt so comfortable, and I can tell you, as somebody who has given birth at home, that I also felt so at home here. And I feel like I recovered faster here, because there were people taking care of me. There were people always checking on me and the baby. And my peace of mind, being here in St. Luke's, is really. It's unmatched because when I gave birth at home, I had to admit, I had my worries. I had my questions. And at least here, there was always somebody to answer those questions. And I, I really trusted them with my life and, of course, with my baby as well, and it just meant everything during that time."

Her words echo the trust many families place in St. Luke's—one of the best hospitals in the Philippines for childbirth.

Beyond her own experience, Coleen wholeheartedly recommends St. Luke's to moms-to-be, saying, "I would highly recommend giving birth here in St. Luke's. Not just giving birth here, but just going through the entire process here. Find an OB here, a pedia here. I just feel so safe, secure, and confident in the doctors here. And also the nursing staff, everybody who helped me during that day. [laughs] And to have that safety net, to have that thought at the back of your mind that if anything were to go wrong or if anything were to, you know, not go according to plan, at least you're protected by everybody here in the hospital, from the facilities to the very skilled doctors and nursing staff. And everything you need is right here at St. Luke's.” 

With a trusted pediatrician like Dr. Marcelle Marie “Cricket” Palance-Chen and advanced care options, St. Luke's has become her family's hospital of choice.

Holistic and Comprehensive Maternity Options at St. Luke's

Every mom's journey is unique. That's why St. Luke's offers a wide range of maternity care options, from holistic approaches like natural water birth to traditional hospital deliveries, even for complex pregnancies, all backed by advanced facilities and compassionate experts.

• Natural birthing options, including water birth, for moms who want gentler experiences.
• Comprehensive maternity packages tailored to every stage of pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
• Expert obstetrician-gynecologists and pediatricians who provide personalized care with warmth and expertise.
• Equipped with the equipment and expertise to handle complex pregnancy cases
• Advanced technology and facilities for safe delivery and peace of mind.

If Coleen could describe her St. Luke's childbirth in one word, it would be comfortable.
Her story shows that with the right partner, motherhood can be a journey of joy, confidence, and love.

Like Coleen, you deserve a partner who prioritizes your safety, honors your choices, and celebrates every step of your motherhood journey.

Choose St. Luke's Medical Center – Quezon City and Global City: trusted by families, loved by moms, and home to the best OB-GYNs in Manila.
 
Book a consultation today and explore the various birthing options and maternity packages available for expectant mothers at St. Luke's.

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