Table 3.75Main resource requirements for more frequent compared with less frequent postnatal care contacts

ResourceDescription
Staff
▪

Designated, trained, motivated staff for postnatal care of women and newborns in facilities/clinics/office or at home

▪

Additional personnel might be required to conduct postnatal home visits

Training
▪

Same as regular practice-based training for health workers

▪

Might require additional personnel and education or training sessions for staff conducting postnatal home visits

Supplies
▪

Same supplies regardless of number of postnatal care contacts

▪

Same medical supplies (e.g. painkillers, iron tablets, contraceptives, anthelminthics, mosquito nets, gloves)

▪

For home visits, community/household registers to record findings of the visits, and referral slips, counselling cards or flip chart

▪

Staff supplies (e.g. boots, umbrella and bag)

▪

Home-based records

▪

Information cards for women/parents/caregivers with home visitor contact information

Equipment and infrastructure
▪

Functional birth notification system for staff performing the home visits or scheduling outpatient contacts

▪

For outpatient contact, same basic and adequate equipment for postnatal care that is available in sufficient quantities at all times

▪

Clean, comfortable waiting room for women and their companions

▪

Clean, private examination room

▪

For postnatal home visits, same portable equipment to conduct home visits (e.g. weighing scales, thermometer, clock/timer, bag and mask)

▪

Access to transport to conduct postnatal home visits (e.g. bicycle or motor vehicle)

Time
▪

Additional staff time for more frequent postnatal care of women and newborns in facilities/clinics/office or at home

▪

Additional transport time to facility/office for outpatient contact or transport time to client’s home for postnatal home visits

Supervision and monitoring
▪

Regular supportive supervision and review by supervisors and coordination meetings between health facilities/districts, outpatient services and staff conducting postnatal home visits

▪

Systems for follow-up after discharge from health facility (integration of midwives or nurses into home-based postnatal care, establishing networks of health workers, integration of facility and community postnatal care)

▪

Systems to report stock-outs of supplies for postnatal home visitors

From: 3, Evidence and recommendations

Cover of WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience
WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience [Internet].
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