In the Kháng Thương show, actress Lan Phuong shared a profound and honest story about her challenging journey to motherhood, particularly her experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum depression. Lan Phuong faced physical and mental hardships during her second pregnancy, especially severe morning sickness, while also caring for her first child and balancing her business endeavors. She had to overcome many pressures alone as her husband worked away from home and could not provide much emotional support.
The days of giving birth to her second child were painful both physically and emotionally, with nights spent crying herself to sleep, running a high fever, and feeling deeply lonely.
Despite having her family around, Lan Phuong still felt isolated as they were unable or unsure how to share and empathize with her postpartum depression. This is a common issue faced by many new mothers, leading them to bear the burden alone and dangerously suppress their emotions. Her words resonated with countless mothers going through similar struggles.

Lan Phuong shared her story on the show.
Lan Phuong Recalls the Moment She Broke Down Seeing Her Cousin in the Hospital
Lan Phuong confided: “I’ve never participated in a show with such a revealing title, where you have to talk about your wounds and it forces you to be brave. These are quite challenging emotions for me even now. This morning, I woke up at 3:30, did my makeup at 4:00, and boarded a 7:00 flight to finally arrive here.”
But the feeling that Phuong remembers most clearly is the sense of indescribable joy and freedom she felt while driving to the airport. She explained: “I don’t know why, but I felt very comfortable, free, and excited. Driving can be a time for myself when I don’t have any responsibilities or worries. Usually, I have numerous responsibilities towards my children, family, employees, business, and my own career. During that drive, I felt free and unburdened, with no one depending on me, and no tasks awaiting me.”
Lan Phuong is married to a foreigner and has two daughters, Lina, who is seven years old, and Mia, who is fourteen months old. Recently, she shared a post about visiting a relative in the hospital, which brought back memories of her own experience. The actress recalled: “I still remember searching for the room in the hospital and then finding bed number 72, where my cousin was staying. As I entered the room, I saw my aunt sitting up because the two of them had to share a small bed.”
Image of Lan Phuong’s hospital visit, shared on social media.
The mother of two tearfully recounted: “When I saw my cousin lying there with her large pregnant belly, I could feel her pain. Seeing her in that small bed, exhausted, with her newborn baby by her side, I broke down and cried uncontrollably. I tried to hold back my tears, but I couldn’t stop. I remembered my own experience of lying in that bed with a huge belly after my C-section. Giving birth the second time was extremely painful, and I had to struggle to breastfeed my baby immediately after surgery to ensure my milk supply. That pain was many times worse than my first C-section.”
Lan Phuong still gets emotional when recounting her experience.
“The pain was so intense that on the second night, I felt like I was burning up with fever. I remember that night vividly. I was in agony, my head was pounding, and I felt like I was going crazy. There was a constant dripping sound from a pipe above, which drove me insane. I was drifting in and out of consciousness, feverish and delirious. I would try to sleep, but the pain would wake me up, and I’d have to breastfeed my baby. Those were sleepless nights.”
“My husband was there, but there was nothing he could do to help at that moment. The only person who could have eased my pain was a nurse, who could have taken my baby to give me some relief. I vividly remember the excruciating pain of turning from one side to the other.”
She endured significant pain after giving birth to her second child.
The Famous Mother Admits: “The Scary Part Was That I Didn’t Feel Any Affection for My Unborn Child”
During her pregnancy with Mia, Lan Phuong experienced severe morning sickness for the first three months, which lasted until the sixth or seventh month. As her body became heavier and more exhausted, she also struggled mentally: “The exhaustion of pregnancy hit me hard, and I couldn’t escape it. My second pregnancy was more stressful than the first because I was running a business. I felt the pressure of managing my employees and ensuring the business remained operational to provide for them. On top of that, the morning sickness was intense, and I was very tired.”
“Additionally, my husband and I didn’t always get along during the pregnancy, and we had our fair share of arguments, which only added to my stress. I also had to care for my firstborn, Lina, and play with her. I remember the first three months being incredibly exhausting; I even dreaded taking a shower because I hated the feeling of water on my face. I didn’t want to be near my child because I was overwhelmed and couldn’t handle it emotionally. It scared me that I didn’t feel any affection for my unborn child. I had to pretend that everything was fine and continue to spend time with my daughter, so she wouldn’t sense anything wrong. However, the truth was that I was struggling and couldn’t give her the attention she deserved.”
Lan Phuong felt guilty about not spending enough time with her firstborn, Lina.
As her due date approached, Lan Phuong was unsure if everything would be alright, as she had a condition called placenta previa, which posed risks to both mother and child. Additionally, her husband had moved to Danang for work when she was six months pregnant, leaving her alone. She shared: “At that time, I felt completely alone, dealing with the hardships and exhaustion of pregnancy while also caring for my child, family, and business as best I could. I was already exhausted, and I didn’t know what awaited me after giving birth. My husband was in Danang, and I couldn’t join him there immediately. I wondered how I would manage everything, and my mind was filled with worries.”
“I didn’t have any other options. Moving to Danang with my husband didn’t seem like a viable solution. After giving birth, I remained alone for the first five months until I finally took my baby to Danang. Pregnancy was challenging, but the post-partum period was even more demanding. My body was still heavy and exhausted, and now I had a newborn baby who depended on me entirely. She needed me to breastfeed and comfort her, so I had double the responsibility.”
She faced challenges during her pregnancy and the initial months after giving birth without her husband by her side.
The Actress’s Heart Broke Hearing Her One-Month-Old Baby Cry in Her Sleep, Just Like She Had During Pregnancy
Lan Phuong revealed that she cried a lot during her pregnancy: “I remember when my baby was about a month old; at least twice, I saw her crying in her sleep, just like I had during my pregnancy. Perhaps she sensed my emotions in the womb, and she was expressing those feelings now. Hearing her cry like that broke my heart into pieces. I felt her pain and remembered every shiver and sob I had while carrying her.”
Lan Phuong felt like she was walking an endless path, unable to rest or catch her breath. She confessed: “Sometimes, I felt so sad and depressed that all I could do was cry. I wished my family could understand and help me, but they didn’t know what to do, so they returned to their normal lives. So, I had to stop crying, get up, and continue taking care of my baby. It was a never-ending cycle with no respite in sight. I longed for a chair to rest in, a moment to catch my breath, but I didn’t even have that. I felt alone and misunderstood, and their attempts to comfort me often caused more hurt.”
Lan Phuong cried a lot during her second pregnancy.
Lan Phuong added: “I only allowed myself to lie down when I was sick or had a fever. When I was merely exhausted, I couldn’t rest because I felt guilty and believed I had too many responsibilities. In 2024, I don’t think I had a single night of proper sleep due to my baby and other concerns. When you push yourself too hard for too long, you feel guilty for taking a break. It’s a rather pitiful state to be in.”
The actress felt like she had “lost herself” for too long and was now trying to find her way back. She assured her daughter Mia: “Rest assured, my dear, from the moment you were born, I have given you the best love and protection I could offer. You may have seen me cry a lot, but I will always love and protect you. I will teach you how to protect yourself, be true to yourself, and speak up when something feels wrong. I will show you how to make real changes when something doesn’t feel right. You just keep smiling and being happy, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Lina, my dear, I know I was busy with your sister when you were at an age when you needed me the most. It’s challenging to juggle a career and two children, but we will get through this together. We will all try our best.”
Lan Phuong felt guilty about not spending enough time with her daughters due to her exhaustion.
For Lan Phuong, true happiness lies in seeing her children every day and understanding herself better. She shared: “A mother who is exhausted and cries all the time, like I was, cannot provide a positive, cheerful, and strong image for her children.” Looking at a painting, she expressed: “It’s like me right now, a bit messy, trying to find my way out of this tangle. But I believe in a brighter future, where I will be a happy mother who has overcome these challenges.”
When asked if loneliness would return in the future, she replied: “The future is uncertain, and no one can predict what will happen. Loneliness or other problems may arise, that’s life. I choose to focus on the present because I can’t foresee the future. By taking care of today, I can shape my tomorrow to some extent. Even if unexpected challenges arise, my inner strength and preparation will help me face and overcome them, leading to a peaceful and beautiful future.”
Lan Phuong is working on understanding herself better and creating a brighter future for her children.