Background
The first six weeks after giving birth (also called the postpartum period) is critical to the survival of both the mother and the newborn. Women are at highest risk of maternal death during the first 24 hours and the first week after birth. The risk remains significant in the second week as well. According to a demographic health survey from 2003, 81% of Kenyan women who deliver outside a health facility do not receive postnatal care. Only 10% attend postnatal care within two days of delivery, while 2% get care three to six days after delivery.

About the project
The goal of this project was to contribute towards a reduced maternal mortality rate by introducing early postpartum care at Langata Health Centre. The health workers in the facility were trained using the updated Kenyan national guidelines, which recommend that midwives visit mothers with newborn babies three times during the first six weeks after delivery. The visits should be done within 48 hours, two weeks and six weeks after the birth, with the purpose of identifying and treating possible health complications as well as giving support to the mother and the baby.

Results
Before the implementation of this project, record keeping of postpartum women at Langata Health Centre was non-existent. By the end of the project, a recording system had been implemented to keep track of the women who delivered both in the facility and in the area connected to it, to ensure they were given appropriate postpartum care. 15 midwives were trained on the postpartum care register. During the four-month project implementation, there were no maternal mortality cases reported in the health center. 95% of the mothers attended the first visit, 48 hours after delivery. 69% went to the second visit and 95% attended the third visit.

Year: 2006