Abstract

Dr. Shubhangi Kapil Thakur*

ABSTRACT

The days and weeks following childbirth—the postnatal period—are a critical phase in the lives of mothers and new born babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur in the first month after birth: almost half of postnatal maternal deaths occur within the first 24 hours,[1] and 66% occur during the first week.[2] In 2013, 2.8 million newborns died in their first month of life?1 million of these newborns died on the first day.[3,4] Considerable progress has been made globally in improving maternal health. Around the world, 72% of women give birth attended by skilled personnel,[5] and the maternal mortality ratio has decreased from 380 to 210 per 100,000 live births between 2000 and 2013. Yet, in South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa only 67% and 48% of women give birth with the assistance of skilled personnel, respectively.[5] Postnatal care reaches even fewer women and newborns: less than half of women receive a postnatal care visit within 2 days of childbirth.[4] Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data from 23 sub-Saharan African countries found that only 13% of women who delivered at home received postnatal care within 2 days of birth.[6] Hence, we need to focus on postnatal care of new born and mother.