Community-Based Postpartum Care: an Urgent Unmet Need

Guidance for integrated postpartum care at the community/household level that reduces maternal and newborn mortality and encourages health in the immediate postpartum period is lacking. This report identifies and summarizes descriptive and research studies of existing community-based postpartum programs which provide counseling and services along with education on self-care. The literature review identified three models of community-base postpartum care: home visits by professional health care providers, home visits by community workers and home visits by community workers with referral or health facility support. [from executive summary]