# Care pathway: postnatal contacts in the first six weeks

Care pathway · id `maternal:care-pathway-postnatal-contacts` · Maternal & Newborn Atlas · release `c7fb95f1d15a7d13` (public)

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Browse, life stage: Postpartum; Newborn  
Browse, care area: Recovery after birth  

## In plain language

The steps an international guideline sets out for the first six weeks after birth for a healthy woman and baby: at least 24 hours of care in the facility after a facility birth, checks of the woman soon after birth, a set of checks before going home, then at least three more contacts, with home visits in the first week where possible.

## Technical summary

Written as steps from Recommendations 44, 45, 1, 46, 48 and 25 of the 2022 international postnatal guideline recorded in this atlas; each step cites the claim that records the recommendation. It follows the guideline's wording for healthy women and newborns and sets no schedule for those with complications. The guideline notes that the evidence for more frequent contacts was insufficient and that the number, timing and content of contacts should be tailored to need.

## Connected pages

- Steps from the 2022 contact schedule recorded on the postnatal care page: Postnatal care for the mother (`maternal:postnatal-care`)

## Provenance

Content hash: 861e1017e30c345e294e83ffa165872b13346bd59198b7d5b1055eb6a9b4b322
Last substantive edit: 2026-10-15
Evidence last checked: 2026-10-15