Technical Areas
Postpartum and Newborn Care
Since many maternal and neonatal
deaths occur in the 48 hours after labor and birth, early postpartum
and newborn care is promoted to assess and manage life-threatening complications
and assist mother and newborn. However, many women and their newborns do
not seek routine postpartum care directly after delivery. This leaves the
mother-baby dyad susceptible to infections, poor nutritional behaviors, and
without important child health and parenting information.
USAID's Neonatal Health program treats the mother and baby as a dyad by integrating maternal and newborn programs. Postpartum
care includes warmth and cleanliness of the newborn, treatment for complications
such as birth asphyxia, hygienic cord care, antibiotics for infection, and
the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. In health care settings where PMTCT
services are delivered, postpartum services are especially important for
the administration of drugs and advice on infant feeding.
Other important services and information provided during
postpartum care include birth spacing information and services, maternal nutrition
(including micronutrient supplementation),
hygiene
and
sanitation,
infection prevention for mother and baby, optimal infant feeding, immunization, HIV/AIDS and
STI prevention information and services, and continued PMTCT services if necessary.
Assuring that new mothers and their babies receive postpartum
care services requires commitment to well functioning health care systems,
community-level programs and planning, and well trained health care professionals.
Families and communities need to be educated in birth preparedness, and deliveries
by a trained attendant are encouraged. Attendants must be trained in essential
obstetric and postpartum care and have facilities, equipment and functioning
referral networks. Policymakers must also be educated on the benefits of investing
in health systems strengthening to improve the quality of maternal and newborn
care.
USAID's Approach to Neonatal Health
Evidence-based
Interventions for Major Causes of Maternal Mortality
Evidence-based
Interventions for Major Causes of Neonatal Death Related Links
Technical Guides
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