Exploring the Live Experiences of Selected Mothers Who Give Birth in Clinica Antipolo: Their Adjustments and Recovery

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how nurse-led postnatal education impacts maternal confidence, evidence-based practices, and the emotional transition of ten postpartum mothers. Semi-structured interview questions were used in this study. A one-on-one interview was conducted, and the study results were interpreted through thematic analysis, revealing that comprehensive nurse instruction is a critical catalyst for maternal empowerment. It significantly increases readiness and replaces unscientific practices with safe, evidence-based care, such as exclusive breastfeeding and proper cord care. However, since the experience of the participants on the transition into motherhood involves severe physical and emotional exhaustion, clinical teaching must be paired with genuine nurse reassurance to alleviate maternal anxiety. Participants strongly preferred interactive learning, like hands-on demonstrations, over dense verbal lectures. They recommended restructuring educational delivery to avoid post-childbirth information overload by introducing family-centered inclusion, post-discharge follow-ups, and topics like maternal mental health. The study's limitations include a small, localized sample of 10 mothers. Since the study used a qualitative research design rather than a quantitative one, it precludes statistical generalization, introduces potential recall bias due to postpartum fatigue, and adopts a single-perspective focus that excludes healthcare staff. In practice, a spaced-learning clinical pathway of short, sequential modules should replace single discharge-day lectures. Staff nurses should shift to mandatory return demonstrations and actively include fathers or primary caretakers to realize true family-centered care. Furthermore, hospitals can bridge post-discharge gaps using digital tools such as QR codes linking to video libraries and automated telehealth check-ins. Ultimately, this paper bridges clinical standards and real-world maternal experiences, helping administrators align operations with national mandates such as the Philippine Nursing Act (RA 9173).