Pagibig sa Kasambahay!

Are you like us who's rushing the Kasambahay's paperwork for SSS, Philhealth and Pagibig coverage? This is a big source of stress, right? Did you know that you have to have your help covered in these three agencies after one month of service? Read this frequently asked questions about the Kasambahay Law.
Pagibig is important too! Members can avail of the following benefits:

•   Savings
•   Short Term Loans
•  Access to Housing Programs

Read this frequently asked questions about PAGIBIG.
I went to the nearest Pagibig branch and inquired about which documents and forms to accomplish.  I went straight to their public information counter to ask about how i can facilitate my help's membership.
She handed me these three forms to accomplish:

• Certification form, signifying that you are your kasambahay's employer.  You have to indicate her complete name, monthly salary and date of hiring
• Employers data form which you can also download here 
• Membership contribution remittance form which you can download here

We're aiming to submit the forms within the month, if our schedule permits. I hope the course of our application goes on without a hitch!
Wondering how much you have to pay for PAGIBIG? Here's a guide:
[caption id="attachment_2520" align="aligncenter" width="289"] Here's how much the monthly contribution for PAGIBIG as indicated at the back of the membership contribution remittance form[/caption]
Based on the Kasambahay FAQ, employers must pay the contribution if the help's monthly wage is less than P5,000. According to PAGIBIG, members can opt to pay more than their monthly contribution.  Read this to know more about PAGIBIG membership.
The due date for this  depends on the first letter of the employer's name.

• A to D (10th to 14th day of the month)
• E to L (15th to 19th day of the month)
• M to Q (20th  to 24th day of the month)
• R to Z (25th to end of the month)

So there, just some information so your kasambahay may get what's due them.

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Downloadables for Preggy Moms

Forms, forms, forms!!! Along with long queues our social services office require some (or more) forms to facilitate the procurement of benefits for their clients.

Filipino pregnant women, especially those working or are dependents of employed relatives or self employed are required to accomplish and submit several forms to avail of maternity benefits.

Listed below are some of these forms. Accomplish them on time and you'll be able to avail of these claims! Just click on the forms to start downloading.

PHILHEALTH

Giving birth is a medical case covered by Philhealth.  For cesarean delivery, the coverage is P19,000. For normal delivery, it varies from 6,500 to P8,000. Read this for more about Philhealth benefit for moms.   This amount covered should be deducted from your hospital upon checkout.  If not, you can personally file for reimbursement.

Philhealth ClaimForm 1 

• You should accomplish  and submit these to the hospital upon your confinement for delivery. Actually, we need to accomplish this form every hospital confinement.


• Along with claim form 1, you'll need to submit your latest Member Data Record. This you can get from your HR (for employed) or from your nearest Philhealth Branch. If you're a dependent, make sure you are declared as dependent of your spouse (or other relative).  If not, you might need to submit an NSO-certified copy of your birth certificate or marriage contract, whichever is applicable to your status.


• Read this for more on guidelines on accomplish the Philhealth Claim Form.

SSS

We got more than P30,000 worth of maternity benefit from SSS.  That amount serves as your allowance for the period you are resting after giving birth. The amount maternity  varies.  Read this for more on how to compute the maternity allowance. Ideally, this check should be given to you one month before your scheduled delivery.

SSS Maternity Notification Form

• The SSS Maternity Notification must be filed at least 60 days from date of conception.


• If employed, submit this to your HR. If self employed, submit to your nearest SSS branch.

Write on these forms clearly and legibly. Absolutely avoid erasures.

Be on the know so you'll be able to assert your rights! But know your responsibilities as well!

Also worth reading:

• Learnings from an emergency cesarean


• Rights of the Filipina working mom

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Happy Father's Day, hands on dad!

Daddy, thanks for being such a supportive husband and the best dad to our baby!

[caption id="attachment_2477" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My two boys[/caption]

Motherhood won't be half as fun without YOU!

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SAVE or SPLURGE: A new mom's guide to saving (Part 2)

Making the most out of the baby products we buy is the key here.  I didn't realize items for my little guy can cost even more than our one month's worth of grocery!

So parents should always  read up and check out the pros and cons before actually buying. It also pays "where" you get the items. I've noticed that baby products are more pricey in the malls, compared to online shops or bazaars. There are also select items in second hand stores and thrift shops, if you have an eye for bargain hunting.

Here are 5 more baby products and gears plus some  tips before getting them.

Baby bottles

• I suggest to SPLURGE on baby bottles! We use them primarily used as breast milk  storage because my son stopped feeding from synthetic nipples at 8 months.  He drank his milk from cup or through a big syringe without the needle. We invested in bottles made with hard and thicker plastic, so they don't expand or contract when exposed to high heat when i sterilize them.


• You can also get bottles that are convertible. Some brands have a line of sealing discs, spouts and handles which fit the screws of the feeding bottles.  Get the a spout to convert it into a cup. Or just get a sealing disc to make it a storage bottle.


• If  breastfeeding, choose small bottles -  those  with 4 to 5 oz capacity. Breastfed babies feed more frequently but in small quantities.


• Actually, it does not matter what brand you choose, but always choose BPA free bottles or plastic utensils for your baby. Bisphenol A  (BPA) is a chemical used in making plastics. Too much exposure to this may cause developmental defects in newborns, according to some studies done on animals. Based on La Leche Leagues's Breastfeeding Answer Book, plastics with the recycling symbol # 1,2,4 or 5 and/or PP are BPA free. Look for this symbol at the bottom of the bottle.

Baby rocker

• It's a tossup between SAVE and  SPLURGE  on this one. Actually we did not use  a rocker then, but we bought one.  The problem is we bought it late so we did not maximize its use. P was "malikot" and more mobile and resisted being put in the rocker.  I suggest to buy it as early as possible so your baby can use it longer.


• Always check to weight limit of the rocker, that can give you an idea how much longer you baby can use it.Look for straps to make sure baby is securely placed on it.


• The biggest come-on (for me) when we got this one is that it has music and lights - which should have come secondary to the rocker's structural design.

[caption id="attachment_2357" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We bought this rocker when baby was around 7 months, only to realize he's about to reach the weight limit![/caption]

Safety gate 

• A safety gate is a must to prevent your toddler from getting to hazardous places like the kitchen or stairs.  SAVE on this by checking online stores or second hand stores or thrift shops. Believe me, once they start walking they'll  try to get to these  areas when you're  not looking! They usually start walking around 9 to 13 months.


• Make sure that the safety gate is easy to install but at the same time sturdy.  Make sure they fit right on your doorway so it won't fall down when your child swings on it. Believe me, he will! 

[caption id="attachment_2424" align="aligncenter" width="225"] We bought a safety gate like this for P1,000 in a thrift store along McArthur Highway in Valenzuela. Source of photo: ebay[/caption]

 High chair

• You can SAVE on a high chair if you check out thrift stores. (As you may notice by now, we are a fond of bargain hunting!) 


• You can get a high chair when the baby starts to sit on his own, that's around 6 months for our baby.

[caption id="attachment_2423" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We got this high chair from a thrift shop along Del Monte Ave in QC for only P800.00. This converts into a swing by pushing down the back panel. When baby was younger, he would actually sleep on this.[/caption]

• Look for a high chair with a heavy and wide base. This adds to the stability of the chair. Sturdy highchairs won't topple down when your child reaches out to grab on something.


• Straps are a must for high chairs so you're secure as he sits on this. I once sat may baby down, and being to small, he almost slipped down because i forgot to strap him.

Baby shoes

• SAVE  your bucks rather than spend it on too many baby shoes! Baby feet grow so fast! At 12 months, i think we got  about 12 shoes for P din! He just kept on outgrowing them.


• I can't emphasize enough how important it is to get the right size for your kid. Always have some allowance, but not too large for his feet.

Every family's need is unique so take time to check if you really need to get these items. Do diligent research before buying big ticket items like a rocker or a  high chair.  Avoid buying on a whim or else you won't have time to analyze the product's features.

Shopping for baby is always happy time for me! It even get happier when you know that your every purchase is worth it.

Also worth reading:

• A new mom's guide to saving (Part1) 

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My bucketlist for the next pregnancy

Ehem... No, i'm not pregnant! I know it's still too early to contemplate on this because we plan have the baby at least two years from now. But since it's my birthday, i have a loooong wish list for my second pregnancy.

Exactly two years ago, the hubby and I were clueless schmucks waiting in line to have our very first visit with the OB.  Learning that i was pregnant was actually the best birthday gift i ever received! From that day forth, every pregnancy-related issue we encountered we dealt with utmost care and caution.

Since the first time is always trial and error time, i hope my next pregnancy can go on more smoothly and much more enjoyable!

Here are  my "points for improvement" for next time.

VBAC! 

•  I had C-section on my first pregnancy because of placenta previa. This is why i'm aiming to give birth the natural way the next time around.  I just hope VBAC will be possible in my case.  We need to discuss this with the OB.   Most of the moms i know who had CS on their first also had CS on their second!  Actually i don't know anyone who had vaginal birth after cesarean. 

More control over the delivery process

• I know, delivering a baby is a medical procedure but moms should also play active participation. In my first i was just very passive, it was really like i don't know what's going on. I guess second timers will know more about the birthing process and they can probably ask  "more intelligent" questions. For my second, i'll definite assert that baby be latched right away.

[caption id="attachment_2329" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I'd love to experience breast crawl, which i did not get to do the first time!
Source: Unang Yakap's Facebook page[/caption]

• I got to touch my baby only after 3 days, imagine that? By the way, did you know that a sign that your hospital is baby-friendly is if they facilitate breast crawl? I'm just not sure how it is for other hospitals or clinics, but when i was pregnant i totally did not know about breast crawl, that first close contact between mom and newborn right after birth. Our Department of Health says Unang Yakap is essential for the well being of both newborns and moms! I'll definitely discuss this with my OB and the pedia for the next time around.

To check out with newborn in tow

• When i was discharged, my baby was left in the nursery for 5 more days! His birth weight was very low and very very mild pneumonia. We patiently waited for the go signal from Doc until our newborn was well enough to come home with us. So it's my earnest wish for my next baby to be healthy so we'll be able to go home on the same day!

Photos galore! 

• I did not have decent pregnancy pictures! Actually i was camera shy back then. I was actually taking photos of my growing belly week-on-week through the What to Expect app during my first trimester. But i got impatient and stopped taking pictures later.  We did not have pics of the baby in the delivery room. On d-day we were in panic mode and we forgot about the camera! I can vividly recall the OB asking for the camera in the delivery room. If i was not given anesthesia, i'd probably get up and get my camera just to capture that special moment!

[caption id="attachment_2320" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I would love a fab shot of my belly!
Source of photo: virginia.gov[/caption]

• Now i'm relishing the thought of having a photo session - as in full on pregnancy  and breastfeeding pictorials!  I love to have some fab photos of my mommy journey.  And I'll definitely insist on bringing that darn camera in the delivery room! I would love to have photos so that we can have a cherished memento of his first day out.  

Fabulous maternity wardrobe

• I was penny pinching during  first pregnancy. I think i bought just 5 or 6 sets of wardrobes that time.

[caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Who would not want to have nice clothes during such a special occasion?
Source of photos:eden.com.ph[/caption]

• Now i realized it will be worth the investment, if i get dual purpose wardrobe - as in clothes for both maternity and nursing. Here and here are some of the nursing wear i'm currently drooling for.  

They say every pregnancy is different but we can try new things to get better the next time around. We always learn from the mishaps from our previous pregnancy!

How did you first pregnancy fare to your second? Were you able "to do better" the next time around?

Also worth reading:

• Learnings from an emergency cesarean section

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