nursing unfiltered

Top 5 Meds You’ll Actually Give in the OB Ward (and Why) ─────────────────────────────────────── As a student nurse, there’s always that one moment when the clinical instructor asks: “Anong gamot ‘to, and what’s it for?” Suddenly, your mind goes blank. All you remember is “Oxytocin… pampakontra sa bleeding?” But if you’re rotating in an OB ward in the Philippines, there are a few meds that show up over and over — and you’re expected to know why, how, when, and what to watch out for. So here’s a student-friendly breakdown of the 5 most common OB meds, with a cheat-sheet feel (but totally legit and clinically sound). ─────────────────────────────────────── 🟣 1. Oxytocin (a.k.a. Syntocinon) Why it’s given: To help contract the uterus post-delivery, prevent postpartum hemorrhage, or augment labor. Route : IM or IV (after delivery, usually IM) What to watch out for: Signs of overdose (hyperstimulation) Monitor uterine tone and vaginal bleeding VS monitoring (BP may drop!) 🔍 “Fundus hard? ...

“When the Moms Start Crying — What Do You Say?” ─────────────────────────────────────── When we entered the OB ward, we expected blood, pads, and fundus checks. But what we weren’t ready for? The emotional weight of caring for new mothers. This week, I’m talking about the time I witnessed a mother cry quietly — not from physical pain, but something deeper. And how, as a student nurse, I learned that emotional care is just as important as clinical care . ─────────────────────────────────────── The Moment She had just delivered yesterday. Second child. Normal delivery. No complications. But when I checked her fundus that morning, I noticed her eyes were red. I asked softly, “Okay lang po ba kayo, Nanay?” She looked away. Then whispered: “Pagod lang... at parang hindi ko alam kung kaya ko na ulit.” And just like that — tears started falling. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just quiet sadness in a busy ward. ───────────────────────────── What I Did I froze for a moment. Then I sat beside her bed ...

How Not To Panic Over SOAPIE aka “Dear Lord, what do I even write in ‘E’?” ─────────────────────────────────────── Let’s be honest. When we first learned about SOAPIE in class, it seemed straightforward. But when you’re actually in the ward, trying to document while being chased by your CI’s “Nasaan na yung chart ni Bed 4?” energy… That “E” starts looking like “Existential crisis.” This week, let’s break down how to write a clear, concise SOAPIE note as a student nurse — especially in the OB ward setting. Let’s make charting less nakaka-praning and more doable. ─────────────────────────────────────── Quick Recap: What is SOAPIE? S – Subjective data (what the patient says) O – Objective data (what you observe) A – Assessment (your interpretation) P – Plan (what needs to be done) I – Intervention (what you actually did) E – Evaluation (was it effective?) ───────────────────────────── Sample SOAPIE: Postpartum Mom with Breast Engorgement 🟪 S: "Masakit po ang dibdib ko, parang ...

  The First Time a Patient Made Me Cry In a Good Way <3 ─────────────────────────────────────── We’re used to stories of stress, pressure, and pagod during duty. But sometimes, in the middle of all that, there’s a moment so unexpectedly kind, it breaks you — in the best way. This week, I’m sharing the first time a patient made me cry… not because I was overwhelmed, but because I felt seen . ─────────────────────────────────────── The Story It was a busy morning at the OB ward. Postpartum beds were full. I was rotating between fundic checks, pad counts, and trying to keep my charting in order. One nanay — quiet and reserved — was due for discharge. I had been checking on her for two days. Every time I approached, I greeted her with a smile and explained gently what I was doing. She wasn’t very talkative, just gave a soft “sige po” each time. On her discharge day, I helped her understand her meds, explained cord care again, and reminded her about signs of infection. As I handed h...

The First Time I Got Scolded in Duty And What It Taught Me ─────────────────────────────────────── Every student nurse has that day — the first time you get scolded during duty. No matter how ready you think you are, nothing prepares you for the moment someone says: “Dapat alam mo na 'yan!” This week, I want to share the story of my first real ward lesson — the kind you won’t find in books, but you’ll never forget. ─────────────────────────────────────── What Happened It was Day 3 of OB ward duty. I was finally getting the hang of monitoring fundus, assisting mothers, and answering patient calls. One nanay politely asked me, “Nurse, pahingi po ng maternity pad?” Without thinking twice, I went to the station, got a pad from the drawer, and gave it to her. She smiled, thanked me, and I felt like I did the right thing. …until a staff nurse saw what I did. “Miss, sinong nagsabi sa'yo na pwede kang kumuha diyan?” “May logbook tayo. Hindi yan basta kinukuha lang.” And just like that,...

"Uuwi na po siya, Nurse." What They Don't Tell You About Discharge Teaching in the OB Ward ─────────────────────────────────────── One minute you're checking lochia, the next minute a staff nurse tells you: “I-endorse mo na, pauwi na si Bed 6.” Suddenly, you're scrambling — how do you wrap up a mother’s entire postnatal care into a 10-minute teaching session? As a student nurse, discharge teaching can be one of the most overlooked but most important skills. This is the last chance to make sure moms (and families) know how to care for themselves and their newborn after they leave the hospital. And guess what? Hindi lang ito “basta checklist lang.” It’s about empowering mothers with confidence . ─────────────────────────────────────── The Reality in the OB Ward (Philippines Setting) In many public hospitals in the Philippines, postpartum stays are short — 24 to 48 hours for normal delivery, 3–5 days for CS, if no complications. Mothers leave with: Healing stitches ...