**1. Introduction**

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined the postnatal phase as the first six weeks after delivery, which is a critical time for mothers, newborns, partners, parents, caregivers, and families; however, this period of significant transition remains the most neglected phase in quality maternal and newborn health care [1].

Therefore, this chapter will discuss the impact of postnatal care in low- and middle-income countries and the main challenges they face. Moreover, the chapter will highlight the importance of the quality of postnatal care required at the level of the facility, household, and community levels as part of the process of reducing the impact of postnatal complications. Such services should be provided for every woman on this globe with more empathy for those in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, this chapter will address the quality of care needed based on the positive

postnatal experience, factors influencing the positive birth, and finally the role of contraceptives in reducing maternal complications.

As per the use of the World Bank Atlas for the year 2023 to define low- and middle-income countries are those with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita between \$1086 and \$4255 [2].

Despite the global achievements found during the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and impressive reductions in maternal and under-5 mortality rates, neonatal mortality reduction continues to lag behind [2]. Moreover, maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity burdens remain unacceptably high, and opportunities to increase maternal well-being and support nurturing newborn care have not been fully utilized [1]. Therefore, the global health community has worked hard to make good achievements over the past decades and has continuous challenges in the future to accomplish the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the end of 2030 [3].
