Background
The first six weeks after childbirth, also called the postpartum period, is a critical time where both the mother and the newborn are at high risk of developing health complications. At the Davao Medical Centre Birthing Home, in the Philippines, many new mothers lack sufficient knowledge about the importance of postpartum care and how to recognize early danger signs after childbirth. The birthing home offered one health check-up on the third day after delivery, which only 65% of the women showed up for.

About the project
This project was created to strengthen the care services for mothers and newborns at the Davao Medical Center Birthing Home. The project team worked to increase the number of mothers coming for the health check-up on the third day after giving birth, by offering education sessions and participatory group discussions on the importance of postpartum care. In addition to this, a second health check-up was added for all mothers and newborns 2-4 weeks after giving birth. During this visit, the mothers were provided with health education on maternal care and nutrition, infant care, vaccination and breastfeeding, as well as family planning counselling.

Results
The project team observed that as the mothers become aware of the health care services available, they began utilizing them. By the end of this project, the attendance for the health check-up three days after childbirth increased from 61% to 77%. The newly introduced second check-up had an attendance rate of 36% by the end of the project. The health education provided by the staff at the birthing home helped mothers increase their knowledge on maternal and newborn care and to make use of this information in their daily lives.

Year: 2007