Abstract. Midwives played crucial roles in the grassroots healthcare system in the Philippines, especially at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite numerous challenges, midwives coped with several physical, emotional, and professional challenges while dispensing vital community health services. This phenomenological research investigated the coping mechanisms of Rural Health Midwives during the pandemic. The study utilized the Collaizi Method to steer the thematic identification and analysis. Using the five foci Socio-ecological Model as the theoretical lens, five immense themes for the coping mechanisms emerged: weaving social connections, bridging relationship gaps, suppressing anxieties, forging innovative solutions, and anchoring trust in the authorities. The findings underscore the pandemic-forged coping mechanisms of Rural Health Midwives, which propelled them through countless complexities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. While sustaining their unwavering commitments, a collective imperative intervention from the government, health sectors, and stakeholders is crucial in optimizing their well-being during and beyond the pandemic. A comprehensive support system, including mental health, professional advancement opportunities, and adequate resource allocation, is crucial for bolstering the resilience of Rural Health Midwives and ensuring the continuity of essential healthcare services in rural communities.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Coping mechanisms; Rural health midwives; Community health; Socioecological model.