Week 4: The Silent Struggles

The Silent Struggles of Postpartum Mothers

What Student Nurses Need to See Beyond the Chart

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As student nurses, we’re trained to look at vital signs, assess uterine firmness, monitor lochia, and chart findings with clinical accuracy. But in the OB ward, one of the most overlooked — yet deeply important — aspects of postpartum care is the mother’s emotional and mental health.

In this post, I want to share what I learned about the emotional struggles postpartum mothers face, and why student nurses must go beyond the usual assessments to truly care for their patients.

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The "Strong Nanay" Myth

In the Philippines, many mothers are praised for being matatag — resilient, selfless, and able to "bounce back" quickly after childbirth. But behind the smiles and pasalubong from family, many mothers in the OB ward are silently struggling.

Some are:

• Anxious about breastfeeding

• Scared of going home too soon

• Worried about money and supplies

• Unsure if they’re “doing it right” as a first-time mom

• Experiencing postpartum blues or even signs of postpartum depression

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Real Moments in the Ward

I remember assisting a mother who had just delivered her third child. She looked healthy, vitals were stable, breastfeeding was successful — “textbook perfect.”

But when I asked casually, “Kamusta po kayo, Ma’am?” — her eyes suddenly welled up.

She whispered, “Hindi ko alam kung paano na kami sa bahay... ang dami kong iniisip.”

That moment hit me hard. She didn’t need meds or another pad check — she needed someone to listen.

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What Student Nurses Often Miss

We’re so focused on completing our BUBBLE-HE assessments, making sure charts are accurate, and impressing our CIs, that we sometimes forget:

✔️ Emotional healing is part of physical recovery.

✔️ Mental health check-ins can prevent long-term complications.

✔️ Sometimes, listening is the most therapeutic thing you can do.

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Tips for Student Nurses in the OB Ward

🟣 Ask open-ended questions:

Instead of “Okay lang po ba kayo?” try:

“Ano po yung pinakamabigat na iniisip niyo ngayon, Ma’am?”

“Kamusta po kayo hindi lang sa katawan, kundi sa pakiramdam?”

🟣 Observe non-verbal cues:

• A forced smile
• Sudden silence
• Restlessness
• Tearfulness after visitors leave

🟣 Provide reassurance (even in simple ways):

“Normal po na mahirapan sa una. Hindi kayo nag-iisa.”

“Ang mahalaga po, andito kayo at lumalaban.”

🟣 Report concerning signs:

If you notice signs of postpartum depression (e.g., detachment from baby, extreme sadness, or refusal to eat or speak), gently inform your CI or the staff nurse.

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It's More Than Clinical Care

Being in the OB ward as a student nurse isn't just about measuring fundal height or checking perineal stitches. It’s about recognizing that every mother carries an invisible load.

When we choose to notice that — and respond with empathy — we become more than just students completing duty hours. We become nurses who heal holistically.

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Final Reflection

Behind every pad you change and every lochia check, there’s a woman who just gave life — and is now trying to find her own footing again.

As student nurses, let’s honor that journey. Let’s be the kind of nurse who doesn’t just chart — but connects.

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