Raising the importance of postnatal care

Women and newborns require support and careful monitoring after birth. Most maternal and infant deaths occur in the first six weeks after delivery, yet this remains the most neglected phase in the provision of quality maternal and newborn care.

WHO provides technical guidance for skilled health personnel and community health workers who support women and newborns after birth. 

Basic care for all newborns should include promoting and supporting early and exclusive breastfeeding if possible, keeping the baby warm, increasing hand washing and providing hygienic umbilical cord and skin care.

Identifying conditions requiring additional care, and counselling on when to take a newborn to a health facility is critical. Families should be counselled on identification of danger signs, understanding the care that both the woman and newborn need, and where to reach services when needed. 

All women and newborns need postnatal checkups in the first 6 weeks. As with antenatal care, promoting a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, detecting and preventing diseases, supporting women who may be experiencing intimate partner violence and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health including postpartum family planning are key to quality postnatal care.