Former MYX VJ and host Iya Villania shared her honest thoughts about the challenges of pregnancy as a soon-to-be mother of five. 

In a recent social media post, Iya reflected on her experience taking an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which helps determine if a mother has gestational diabetes.

“This test is taken around 24wks pregnant and will determine whether a mother has gestational diabetes or not. I was anticipating puking this time but so glad I didn’t 'coz then I’d have to take it again ,” Iya explained. 

She recommended: “I highly recommend having this test done at home since its 3 extractions, an hour apart from each other. Also, the drink can make you feel queasy after 🤢 Just happy to be done! Getting thru each dreaded stage one step at a time 😅

Iya, who’s known for staying active during her pregnancies, admitted that it’s not as easy as it may seem. 

“Many think pregnancy is so easy for me coz they see me moving and working out. Well, lemme tell ya… it’s not easy for me 😅,” she expressed.

“every pregnancy has brought me the same anxieties and stresses that I always forget about and find myself going thru again 😂 I guess good in a sense coz I probably would’ve stopped after 2 kids! 🤣,” she added.

She also talked about the physical challenges she faces after childbirth, saying: “during pregnancy you worry about the health of your baby, and then there’s delivery… oh how I dread delivery! 😭 and then recovery is another thing! I was never the type to get my pre-baby body back after 2wks! It was always hard work and clean eating which is my biggest struggle 😅 but I’ll deal with that when I cross that bridge 😅.”

In her post, Iya offered words of encouragement to mothers who might be afraid of the challenges of pregnancy.

“This is for all those who are afraid to try and those who’ve been thru it and don’t have the courage to do it again ❤️ Yes, it is scary. Yes, it gets hard and you find yourself in moments where you just need to work thru the pains and setbacks,” she wrote.

She went on: “ But you will never know the beauty and your strength unless you are willing to be put to the test 😅. one of the things I pray so hard for? That God’s strength will shine through me during my times of weakness 🙏🏼 The moments you think you can’t make it thru, His grace will sustain you 🙏🏼”

Iya ended her message with a quip: “O diba?! Sugar test lang dapat pero ang dami ko nang hugot?? 😂 if you’re preggy, you’d understand 😅 K, thanks, bye 😂”

She also added that she got good blood test results.

Iya’s husband, Drew Arellano, supported her in the comments, joking, “The bravest woman I know!!!.... is the nurse extracting blood from your godly biceps?!?! And yes, I'm proud of you too, Mama!😂❤️❤️❤️.”

Iya and Drew, who have been married for over a decade, are expecting their fifth child. They already have four children: Primo, Leon, Alana, and Astro. 

READ: Drew Arellano and Iya Villania announce they are expecting their fifth child

In September, the couple surprised fans by announcing they were expecting again, and in early November, they revealed they’re having a girl in a sweet family video.

"The main reveal will be for the kids," Iya explained. “Initially I just wanted to wait until delivery but Primo (their son) wanted to know gender. and, well, I didn't want to rock up to a regular ultrasound and have an anti-climactic reveal by accidentally seeing a 🍆 😂.”