A seamless, worry-free birthing experience at The Medical City
Earlier this year, Iya Villania shared what might just have been the most peaceful birthing video we’ve ever seen.
It showed her kneeling on her hospital bed inside a birthing suite at The Medical City (TMC), breathing through her contractions and pushing, mightily but almost silently. “There she is,” she said softly. “I feel her head.”
Soon, baby Anya was out. “Wow,” Iya mouthed as she looked at her husband Drew Arellano, who had been behind the camera, documenting the experience.
“Wow” is also what we thought as we watched the video, which had been viewed over 8 million times on Facebook alone. On Instagram, in the comments, people called Iya a rock star, a warrior, an inspiration.
Iya wrote, “I found myself birthing Anya in the most natural way that felt right to me. Enveloped with a spirit of courage and peace, God was with me the whole way, washing away every ounce of doubt and fear that I had in me weeks and days leading up to my delivery. It was amazing!”
In her post, she thanked her doctors and nurses at The Medical City who helped her through what had been a fast and easy delivery.
Not surprisingly, The Medical City was inundated with inquiries from expectant moms hoping to have a childbirth experience as serene as Iya’s.
But during an interview, the TMC team reminded us that it wasn’t Iya’s first time to give birth—and that first-time moms might experience a longer delivery.
It was Iya’s fifth childbirth experience—and her second unmedicated one. Primo, Leon, Alana, Astro and Anya are all TMC babies. (And husband Drew got his vasectomy at The Medical City recently, too—but that’s another story.)
Iya used Lamaze techniques in her delivery—something that patients can choose to include in their birthing plan.
Collaboration
“It’s always a collaboration between the patient and the doctor. If that’s something that the mom is looking into, then that’s something they work on,” said Dr. Joana Blanca “Jobs” A. Lingao, business manager of The Medical City’s Institute for Women’s Health.
TMC even has Lamaze rooms equipped with things like bouncing balls, used to ease back pain during labor.
But whether it’s an expectant mom’s first or nth time, and whether she goes for Lamaze or not, The Medical City, a Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited hospital, promises the same thing: that both mom and baby will receive world-class care from their highly trained team in a safe, patient-centered environment.
They’ve even designed a TMC All-In Maternity Package so expectant mothers can enjoy a seamless, worry-free birthing experience.
The package offers comprehensive care and includes professional fees for the OB-gyne, anesthesiologist and pediatrician. According to TMC, “Many maternity packages from other hospitals may appear more affordable at first, but often exclude these fees—leading to unexpected costs when the final bill arrives. With TMC, what you see is what you get—no surprises, just quality care for you and your baby.”
The package also includes the use of a standard private room—three days for C-section, two days for normal delivery. Dads can be inside the delivery room with their wives and sometimes even cut the cord. “This depends on their OB,” said Dr. Lingao.
Those who would like to have their delivery in a birthing suite can pay extra. (After delivery, once in the room, moms can have one companion, while visitors—two at a time can—come see mom and baby from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. TMC also has TMC Hostel, in-house accommodations that are perfect for expectant moms from out of town or out of the country or loved ones who want to stay close. Dr. Lingao said, “It’s like a hotel service. It’s in the main hospital building. It’s very nice. Prices range from P3,500 to P4,100, and breakfast for two is included.”)
Newborn screening
Also part of the TMC All-In Maternity Package is routine newborn screening, hospital facility fees, medications, and supplies. Postpartum and baby care are also included, along with lactation counseling. “Moms can avail of it even prenatally,” said Dr. Lingao. “When they go for their check-ups or their ultrasound, they can pass by the lactation center.”
Midwives and lactation fellows also do daily rounds to check on moms and babies and assist them as they start their breastfeeding journey.
A celebratory meal for mom and dad is also part of the package. Mom also gets flowers. “We’re in the process of elevating the meal,” said Dr. Lingao, who said they just met with their food provider.
Families who avail of the TMC All-In Maternity Package will also get a TMC Mommy-Baby Bag, a backpack that’s full of baby care essentials, things like diapers, wipes, creams, a onesie, mittens and more. Dr. Lingao, a first-time mom who gave birth at TMC last year, said that her baby wore her TMC onesie for almost a year.
And then there’s the special exclusive perk that moms just love—a maternity or newborn photoshoot with Nice Print Photography. It’s been part of the package since 2023.
The decision to add that bonus was inspired by patient behavior, said Dr. Lingao. “Moms and dads usually give their phones or cameras and ask them to document the delivery. Everyone wants photos of the babies when they come out and also of that first hug with mom. They love taking photos of the babies in the hospital, and the team started thinking out of the box. ‘What’s something we can add to give more happiness to the families?’”
Beautiful pictures
This led to the tie-up with Nice Print, known for shooting memorable milestones in people’s lives, including weddings and other special occasions. “By partnering with Nice Print, we were able to elevate that experience and give a more memorable piece of that newborn time frame for our families,” said Dr. Lingao.
Moms can choose between a maternity photo shoot (meaning they’ll pose while they’re pregnant) or a newborn shoot—and it’s the newborn shoot that’s been more popular. “It’s something they really look forward to. The families are very excited for their first photo together. They go to the shoot prepared, with the babies wearing their little outfits. They’re very happy with how the photos turn out.”
The result are beautiful pictures that families can cherish long after delivery.
Moms and their families appreciate the All-In Maternity Package. “They like how the doctors take care of them, they like the food, they like how the photos turn out.”
Dr Lingao added, “Our vision is to offer this package to all moms.”
The package already makes people happy, but they’re on a constant quest for improvement, she said. “Watch out for new packages that are being developed. We hope to have them available soon.”
Rates for the current package are P163,000 for normal delivery and P240,000 for C-section.
“This is still subject to PhilHealth deductions,” said Dr. Lingao. Expectant moms can also check with their HMO if their plans cover delivery expenses.
Payment can be made through cash or credit card. “We have a zero-percent interest rate option for BPI, BDO, Citi, Unionbank and RCBC. That’s six months to pay.”
Quality of care
We asked Dr. Lingao why moms should choose The Medical City. “In TMC, we can say that from the start of your pregnancy, you’ll really feel the quality of care you’ll receive from your doctors and the whole healthcare team. They prioritize your health and your experience.”
She shared her own experience as a patient at TMC. “I felt I was a partner in the decision making. I wasn’t just following what my OB or pedia wanted. They will really involve you. Empowered ka talaga. And before you go home, they make sure that first-time moms know the basic things—breastfeeding, how to bathe your baby, how to take care of your baby. The doctors, the nurses, the midwives, they’re all very helpful. You can rely on TMC.”
Many moms have enjoyed the benefits of the TMC All-In Maternity Package. One of them is radio and TV personality DJ Chacha, who chronicled her experience in a video she shared in June 2024.
Chacha, who, like Iya, also had her delivery in the birthing suite, praised the TMC staff after giving birth to her third child Santiago Mikael, calling their care “world-class.”
She praised the hospital’s facilities, cleanliness, and the fact that her room doesn’t feel like a hospital room. “Masarap food dito sa Medical City, it doesn’t taste like hospital food.”
For their celebratory meal, she and her husband had mushroom soup, vegetable salad with balsamic vinaigrette, chicken flambé, beef salpicao, steamed white rice, aglio olio, fresh fruit slices and juice.
In the video, staff could be seen teaching her how to use the nursing pillow that they were giving her as part of the maternity package. The bag also included diapers, cotton balls, basin, a bonnet, wipes, and a breastfeeding tube.
DJ Chacha said, “If I get pregnant again, I will choose to give birth again at The Medical City because of the service they gave me and my son. Sobrang alagang-alagang-alaga talaga kaming dalawa.”
She shared that other friends who’ve given birth at TMC also feel the same way. “Grabe talaga yung service, superb, 100 over 100.”
If you’re interested in the TMC All-In Maternity Package, consult your OB-Gyne at The Medical City. Find out more by contacting TMC’s Delivery Suite at tel. nos. 8988-1000 and 8988-7000 ext. 6338/6339/6340 or visiting http://tmcph.co/MaternityPackageTMC.
