Beyond Vaccines: The Unseen Burden of New Mothers

Credit By: SEEMA MUSHTAQ

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24 Apr 2026

In a busy immunisation clinic last week, a young mother arrived with her 6-week-old infant for routine vaccination. The consultation followed its usual course, the child’s weight was checked, vaccines were administered, and feeding advice was given. Just as she was about to leave, she paused, almost as if unsure whether to speak, and quietly asked, “Doctor, is it normal to feel like crying all the time?”

Her question lingered long after she had left.

In our healthcare settings, especially in high-volume clinics, our attention is naturally drawn to the child. We track growth, ensure timely immunisation, and counsel families with care and diligence. These are essential responsibilities. Yet, in the midst of this structured efficiency, the mother, who carries the greater share of this journey, often becomes less visible.

The postpartum period is not only a time of new beginnings; it is also a time of profound adjustment. A woman’s body is healing, her sleep is interrupted, and her days and nights are shaped by the needs of her newborn. There is joy, certainly, but there can also be exhaustion, uncertainty, and moments of quiet overwhelm that are rarely spoken about.

In many of our communities, motherhood is expected to be instinctive and fulfilling. There is little space to acknowledge that it can also be difficult. When a mother feels persistently low, anxious, or disconnected, these feelings are often dismissed or internalised. What may appear as routine fatigue can, at times, be something deeper, postpartum depression, a condition that remains largely unrecognised, not because it is rare, but because it is rarely voiced.

What is striking is not just the presence of such distress, but the silence around it. Many mothers do not speak unless asked. And often, we do not ask.

Immunisation clinics are among the few places where new mothers return regularly in the early months after childbirth. These visits offer more than an opportunity to protect the child from disease; they offer a moment of connection. A brief pause in a busy clinic. A chance to look beyond the vaccination card and notice the person holding it.

In my practice, I have come to realise that sometimes, all it takes is a simple question, “How are you coping?”, asked with genuine concern. The answers are not always immediate. Sometimes they come hesitantly, sometimes not at all. But the act of asking itself can make a mother feel seen.

Supporting new mothers does not always require extensive resources. It begins with awareness, with families sharing responsibilities, and with creating an environment where women feel safe to express vulnerability without fear of judgment. It also requires us, as healthcare providers, to widen our focus, to care not only for the child, but for the mother as well.

As we continue to strengthen our immunization programs and celebrate improvements in child health, it is worth reflecting on a simple truth: a child’s well-being is closely tied to the well-being of the mother.

The next time a mother walks into an immunization clinic, we will check the baby’s weight, administer the vaccine, and complete the record. But perhaps we can also pause, even briefly, and ask about her.

Because sometimes, behind a quiet smile and a healthy child, there is a story that has not yet been heard.

(The Author is a Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Baramulla. Feedback: seema.mushtaq00@gmail.com)