Summary

In this study session you have learned that:

1. The maternal mortality ratio and neonatal mortality rate in African countries are among the highest in the world.
2. Around 45-50% of mothers and newborns die in the first 24 hours after the birth, and 65-75% of maternal and newborn deaths occur in the first week.
3. Effective postnatal care within six hours of the birth, and after two days, six days and six weeks could significantly reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
4. The most common causes of postnatal maternal death include haemorrhage, eclampsia, infection and ruptured uterus.
5. The most important causes of neonatal death are infection, birth asphyxia, prematurity and low birth weight.
6. The postnatal period is a time of rapid physiological adjustment for the mother to the non-pregnant state, and for the newborn adapting to life outside the uterus.
7. Danger signs for the mother in the postnatal period include the uterus not well contracted, active vaginal bleeding and shock.
8. Danger signs for the newborn include jaundice, respiratory distress, fever and other signs of infection, hypothermia, persistent vomiting, and bleeding from the umbilical stump or anus.
9. Before launching a PNC service, you should conduct awareness creation and sensitisation sessions to ensure full community participation, and involve community leaders, traditional birth attendants and healers; also carry out home visits to teach parents and caregivers and distribute information, education and communication materials.