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in Pregnancy

Pregnancy Mystified: Angela

Angela Ines Malvar was not expecting.  With multiple pregnancy tests coming back negative, she and her husband were unsure what to think.  Expecting the worst, her ultrasound revealed a shocking surprise!

At the start of the quarantine in Manila, Angela Ines Malvar was a mom of two.  It was March of 2020.  She and her husband, like so many, were unsure of what the quarantine would bring or how long it would last.  They settled into a routine of taking care of their kids during the day and then drinking whiskey and soju while watching K-dramas together at night.  “We were getting into K-drama,” she said. “So we chose a drink that matched what we were watching.”

A skipped period in June of 2020 did not bother her because her period had been irregular since the birth of her second child, who was already three-years-old at the time.  She took a pregnancy test as a precautionary measure, and it came back negative.  Entering the month of July, she did notice that she was becoming increasingly tired and sleepy, and she did not feel like drinking soju nor did she want to drink coffee–a drink she usually enjoys.


Angela jump roping with her two older kids.

Angela jump roping with her two older kids.

“Ang corny mo!” and “You’re so old!” were the things her husband would say to tease her.  She attributed it to pandemic fatigue, especially when a second pregnancy test in July came back negative.

Then she got her period, a week of bleeding, and soon after she started to feel a bit more energetic.  Her enjoyment for coffee also came back.  Feeling more normal and wanting to address the quarantine weight she had gained, she started jump roping and exercising with her husband.  Though the regular exercise routine made her feel great, it did little to address the weight gain in her belly area.

Another month (August) and another skipped period and another test coming back negative started to make her wonder if something else was wrong with her.  When September came, and she skipped her period again, and the pregnancy test came back negative again, plus she started feeling heavy in her stomach, she called her OB.

Initially, the OB theorised she could be entering perimenopause, or perhaps there was something they were not seeing. (Ovarian cysts and fibroid tumors can disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle.)  In order to begin ruling out causes, her doctor encouraged her to get an ultrasound at a Hi-Precision clinic near her home and email the results.  Her husband asked their family to pray for her.  They weren’t sure what to expect, but they weren’t expecting what was there.

“Oh! You’re 21-weeks pregnant!” said the sonographer.


Finding out at 21-weeks, she only had 19 weeks to get ready for her third child.

Finding out at 21-weeks, she only had 19 weeks to get ready for her third child.

“Hah?!?” was the only response Angela could give.  It was September, and the past five months all slowly began to make sense.  She remembered the aversion to soju, the aversion to coffee, and feeling tired, slowly realising that her little daughter–they did a gender reveal on the spot–was sending her mother signals on what to drink and what to eat without her ever knowing that she was already in there, growing and thriving.

“I called my husband and said: Guess what?! I’m pregnant! And he couldn’t stop laughing,” Angela shared, herself laughing as she told the story.

Known as a cryptic pregnancy, or a pregnancy wherein the mother is unaware of the pregnancy due to menstrual bleeding and a lack of pregnancy symptoms, it happens to 1 out of every 475 women.  In many cases women not only get negative pregnancy tests, but they also get negative ultrasounds, negative blood tests, and low weight gain.  Often, these women find out about their pregnancy at around 20 weeks of pregnancy or just past the 20th week.

The sonographer that first saw Angela’s daughter through ultrasound said that using multiple pregnancy test brands is a good practice when trying to determine pregnancy.  Also, bleeding in the first trimester is more common than women realise, but that all bleeding should be checked by a gynecologist if pregnancy is suspected.

Angela was quite lucky.  Cases of cryptic pregnancy can be complicated, the bleeding often indicating problems in the womb and the low hCG levels potentially indicating a missed abortion.  In Angela’s situation, she dealt with a mild case of gestational diabetes, mostly due to her not having watched her diet in the first two trimesters of pregnancy, but apart from this, there were no other complications.

To avoid these occurrences, women have to truly stay in tune with their bodies, and understand that sometimes what you see isn’t always what you get.  Regular conversations about women’s health with doctors are encouraged, especially if pregnancy is a possibility.  


Baby Mariana, June 2021.

Baby Mariana, June 2021.

A week after discovering she was pregnant, Angela and her husband told their family that they were expecting a baby, and that the baby would be born in just about four months.  They were just as shocked as Angela but also just as happy.  They couldn’t believe that her suspected beer belly was actually a baby belly!

On January 11, Angela gave birth to her third child, a beautiful baby girl.  “This was the fastest pregnancy,” she said, laughing. “So soon after we found out, there she was!”



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About the writer

Rachel Kelly Davis has been a published writer since the age of 14, often writing features, essays, and cover pieces. In 2016 she started writing poetry, leaving index cards of her poems all over the world and posting the photos she is sent by the people who find them. She has worked in communications for over a decade, wearing various hats ranging from digital marketing and SEO practitioner, brand strategist, and investor relations officer. Most recently she was the Associate Vice President for Customer Experience (Public Affairs) at WSP Inc., a public relations company based in the Philippines. Currently she is happily raising 5-year-old Valentina and 6-month old Levi Grey while taking charge of Mommy Mundo’s web content. Find her and more of her recipes on Instagram @arkaydee

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Mompreneur Spotlight 💖 Meet Paola Rioveros, th Mompreneur Spotlight 💖

Meet Paola Rioveros, the creative force behind The Happy Blue House — a playful brand that brings joy, bonding, and imagination to every activity it touches! ✨

At Expo Mom: The MOMentous Fair, Paola facilitated engaging activities at the Mommy Corner, including the Playdough Station and the DIY Fuzzy Wire Workshop, delighting both moms and kids with interactive, creative experiences.

She also led two special workshops during the expo that made hearts (and hands) full:

🎨 MOMents on Canvas – focused on self-expression, relaxation, and creating your own MOMentous masterpiece

🪞 Moments with Mom: Crafting Keepsakes & Memories – a mirror-decorating activity where moms and little ones made keepsakes that reflect their love, laughter, and shared memories

Beyond events, The Happy Blue House offers a dedicated workshop venue located at:

📍 2F New Building, The Village Corner, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Antipolo, Rizal

Here, families can participate in various crafting sessions designed to foster creativity and bonding. To book a workshop or learn more, visit their Instagram page: @thehappybluehouse.ph

Paola’s passion for crafting and connection shines through every activity, making The Happy Blue House a go-to destination for memorable family experiences. 🎨✨ 

#MommyMundo #MommyMundoMompreneurs #mompreneurlife #mompreneurlab
A big thank you to Solbac for adding fun and heart A big thank you to Solbac for adding fun and heart to Expo Mom: The MOMentous Fair! 💖

Your booth was such a hit — moms had a blast with the games, scored exciting prizes, and grabbed some awesome deals too! 🥳🎁 We also loved their support for our THAT MOM ERA segment with Iya Villania—a fun and empowering nod to the mom who disinfects, drops wisdom, and still looks cute doing it. 💁‍♀️🧴✨

Thanks for celebrating this MOMent with us and making it even more meaningful. 💖 

#MommyMundo #MommyMundExpoMom #ExpoMom2025 #TheMOMentousFair #SolbacPH
Snippets from Session 1 of ALPHA Mom: Infant Massa Snippets from Session 1 of ALPHA Mom: Infant Massage with Rome Kanapi 💖👶🏻

From gentle strokes to calming techniques, our first session was a beautiful reminder that every touch is a way to say “I love you.” 😍 Moms learned how to soothe, bond, and connect deeply with their little ones through the power of touch. ✨

Swipe through for moments of learning from our session 💻

📌 Next up: Session 2 – Breastfeeding Baby with Abbie Yabot!

P.S. Are you a newborn parent? Join ALPHA Mom — a year-long support and learning program by Mommy Mundo made just for you. Sign up now at mommymundo.com/alphamom 💖

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Coming off the high of Expo Mom: The MOMentous Fai Coming off the high of Expo Mom: The MOMentous Fair, we’re sending a huge THANK YOU to PLDT Home for bringing extra fun and relaxation to our event! 💖

From free massages that gave moms a well-deserved break, to creative bracelet-making sessions and the super fun “Guess the Emoji” game segment — your booth was a true MOMentous hit! 🙌🏻

Thank you, PLDT Home, for always finding meaningful ways to connect with Filipino families — online and on-ground. We’re so grateful for your continued support! ✨

 #PLDTHome #ExpoMom2025 #MommyMundo #TheMOMentousFair
We are heartbroken over the loss of our dear frien We are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend who was an active part of our momfluencer community, Marycor — known to many of us as @proud_inay. 🤍

Marycor was a ray of sunshine — always smiling, always showing up with love and support for fellow moms. She shared her motherhood journey with so much honesty and heart, reminding us that there is beauty even in the struggles.

In every message, every post, and every kind word, she made our community feel more connected and more inspired.

We send our deepest love to her family. You will always be with us, Marycor. 🕊️🤍

Her wake will be held at Loyola Memorial Park, Sucat, from May 22 - 24 (Thursday to Saturday).
There’s something truly special about meeting th There’s something truly special about meeting the authors behind the stories we love—and at Expo Mom: The MOMentous Fair, we were honored to have a group of inspiring Filipino children’s book authors who brought magic, meaning, and imagination to our community. 💖📚

Through their words and presence, they reminded us of the power of stories to shape young minds, spark curiosity, and nurture empathy. ✨

📚 Anya Santos-Uy (@ankpublishing), known for her work in environmental education and children’s literature, signed copies of Alpabeto ng Kalikasan—a vibrant introduction to Philippine biodiversity through the modern Filipino alphabet and Baybayin script.

📚 Robyn Chua Rodriguez (@robynchuar), a strong advocate for inclusive storytelling, shared her bilingual book When My Friend Smiles, which encourages empathy and celebrates differences through the journey of two young friends.

📚 Zarah C. Gagatiga (@zarahgeeh), a librarian and storyteller with a rich contribution to children’s literature, brought along Filipino Folktales for Children, a collection of timeless tales that pass on the wisdom and magic of our cultural heritage.

📖 Paula Castro (@mspaulajoan) launched her latest book Just Not Today, and read it aloud with heartfelt reflections on its message—a gentle reminder to children (and adults!) that it’s okay to pause, feel, and care for ourselves.

Thank you, Anya, Robyn, Zarah, and Paula, for sharing your voices, stories, and hearts with us at Expo Mom. 💖

Love their stories? Follow these incredible authors to stay updated on their latest books and storytelling adventures! 📖✨

#MommyMundo #MommyMundoExpo #ExpoMom2025 #ExpoMomTheMOMentousFair #TheMOMentousFair
It’s been one week since Expo Mom: The MOMentous It’s been one week since Expo Mom: The MOMentous Fair, and we’re still feeling all the love — especially from our long-time partner and sponsor, Baby Dove. 💖💙

Thank you, Baby Dove, for your continued support of Mommy Mundo and our community of moms. Your gentle, dermatologist-tested products made especially for baby’s delicate skin have been a staple in many Filipino families — and your commitment to real care for real moms and babies truly shines through. ✨

From one nurturing brand to another, we’re grateful for the way you continue to walk alongside Filipino moms in every stage of motherhood. 💕

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