**5. Mandatory skills to be performed by ground level workers**

#### **5.1 Post natal visits and examination**

There should be minimum 4 Postnatal Visits as follows. **Table 1** depicts the crux of the postnatal visits.

#### *5.1.1 First visit: 1st day (within 24 hours)*

The first 48 hours are the most crucial hours in the whole life span of Post partum period. Major Post partum complications like PPH and eclampsia, occur during this period. These complications cannot be ignored as considered to be the most fatal one and are leading causes of maternal mortality rate [25].

Therefore a mother who just delivered must be closely watched uptill at least 48 hours. It is the duty of ground level workers to inform the woman about the criticality of the complications, and rationale for the stay in the health care facility for at least 48 hours. During this time period required care should be provided to her. Ground level worker must put emphasis on that this is very much important for her well being and baby too [25].

If the delivery is conducted at Sub center/at home, ANM should visit to the newly delivered mother with in the first 24 hours of the delivery [25].

She should ask the mother for the discharge or delivery card. This card contains the data and information pertaining to the antenatal visits and delivery details [26].



