Week 6: Discharge Methods

"Uuwi na po siya, Nurse."

What They Don't Tell You About Discharge Teaching in the OB Ward

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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.

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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
• Sore breasts
• A newborn
• And often... a lot of unanswered questions.

That’s where you come in.

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Top Things to Include in Your Discharge Teaching (Student Nurse Edition)

🍼 1. Breastfeeding Support Reminders

• Feed every 2–3 hours
• Signs of good latch
• Avoid formula unless advised

➡️ “Ma’am, kahit parang wala pa pong gatas, tuloy lang po. Regular na pagsuso ang nagpapalakas ng gatas.”

🩸 2. Lochia Monitoring

• What’s normal: red to brown to yellowish discharge
• What’s not: foul smell, large clots, soaking more than 1 pad/hour

➡️ “Kung may mabahong amoy o sobrang dami ng dugo, magpatingin agad, Ma’am.”

🧷 3. Wound Care (NSVD or CS)

• Keep area clean and dry
• Signs of infection (pain, redness, swelling)

➡️ “Huwag muna magbuhat ng mabigat at iwas muna sa strenuous activities.”

💊 4. Medications

• Pain meds, antibiotics, iron
• Clarify dose and frequency

➡️ “Kung may gamot po kayong dala, siguraduhin pong inumin ayon sa reseta.”

🧠 5. Danger Signs (When to Return to the Hospital)

• Fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Foul-smelling discharge
• No breast milk coming out by day 5
• Baby not feeding well or is lethargic

👶 6. Baby Care Basics

• Proper cord care (no alcohol unless advised)
• Danger signs: fever, yellow skin, poor feeding

➡️ “Kung naninilaw si baby o matamlay, dalhin agad sa health center o hospital.”

📞 7. Follow-up Schedule

• 1 week postpartum check-up
• BCG, Hepa B for baby if not yet given
• Return to Barangay Health Center for continuous care

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Bonus Tip: Involve the Bantay

In Filipino families, it’s often the partner, lola, or kapatid who helps at home. So when you teach, include them:

“Kuya, paki-remind po si Ma’am sa gamot ha. Tulungan niyo rin po siya magpahinga.”

“Lola, pakitingnan po yung pusod ni baby kapag nagpapalit kayo ng lampin.”

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Student Nurse Reflection: From Informing to Empowering

It’s not enough to just read off a checklist. You have to:

• Make eye contact
• Check if they understand
• Use Filipino or Bisaya if needed
• Be patient if they ask “ulit-ulit”

This might be the first — and last — time a new mom hears this info. Let’s make it count.

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Real Moment

Before one of my patients left the ward, she said:

“Salamat po, Nurse. First time ko po lahat, pero ang dami ko pong natutunan sa inyo.”

I realized then: Even if I wasn’t a licensed nurse yet, I was already making a difference.

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