TV host Iya Villania recently took to social media to share her emotional journey of welcoming her fifth child, Anya Love Villania-Arellano.
On 11 February, Villania gave birth to a healthy baby girl, documenting the experience in a heartfelt three-minute video titled "BIRTH STORY," which she posted on Instagram.
She revealed that she initially mistook early labor signs for a false alarm.
"On the morning of Feb 2, 2025, we headed to @themedicalcity after experiencing 2-3 hours of consistent light contractions every 8-9 minutes. Turns out, it was a false labor—referred to as prodromal labor—which I had never experienced in my past pregnancies. We were sent home, and I found it funny that everything still felt so new, even though it was already my fifth," she shared.
Despite some nerves, Villania described the birth as her easiest and most natural delivery yet.
"Enveloped in a spirit of courage and peace, I found myself birthing Anya in the most natural way that felt right to me. God was with me the whole way, washing away every ounce of doubt and fear I had leading up to my delivery. It was amazing," she wrote.
She also reflected on how the experience felt divinely guided, mirroring the home birth she had always wished for—only within the safety of a hospital.
"It was like God orchestrated the home birth I had always dreamt of—but within the safety of a hospital setting. Thank you to my doctors who were always there and to all the nurses and staff at TMC who quickly came to assist when Anya arrived. I’m so grateful," she added.
Ending her post on a lighthearted note, Villania expressed her love and gratitude for her husband, Drew Arellano.
"Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and to my husband @drewarellano, who managed to record everything as it unfolded—even while dealing with his own fears. I love you! Ikaw naman, pls," she joked.
Villania and Arellano, who tied the knot in 2014, are now proud parents of five: Antonio Primo (born in 2016), Alonzo Leon (2018), Alana Lauren (2020), Astro Phoenix (2022), and their newest bundle of joy, Anya Love.