Table 1 List of 28 essential birth practices from the World Health Organization Safe Childbirth Checklist [19]
List of Essential Birth Practices |
|---|
On admission |
1. Assess mother’s need for referral |
2. Start partograph |
3. Assess mother for criteria to start antibiotics |
4. Assess mother for signs of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia or the need to administer magnesium sulphate and antihypertensive treatment |
5. Ensure availability of supplies to clean hands and wear gloves for each vaginal exam confirmed |
6. Encourage birth companion to be present at birth |
7. Confirm that mother or companion will call for help during labour if needed |
Just before pushing (or before caesarean) |
8. Assess mother for criteria to start antibiotics |
9. Assess mother for signs of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia or the need to administer magnesium sulphate and antihypertensive treatment |
10. Confirm essential supplies for mother at bedside |
11. Confirm essential supplies for baby bedside |
12. Identify assistant and confirm readiness to help at birth if needed |
Soon after birth (within 1 h) |
13. Assess mother for abnormal bleeding |
14. Assess mother for criteria to start antibiotics |
15. Assess mother for signs of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia or the need to administer magnesium sulphate and antihypertensive treatment |
16. Assess baby’s need for referral |
17. Assess baby for criteria to start antibiotics |
18. Assess baby’s needs for special care/monitoring |
19. Initiate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding (if mother and baby are well) |
20. Confirm that mother/companion will call for help if danger signs present |
Before discharge |
21. Confirm stay at facility for 24 h after delivery |
22. Assess mother for criteria to start antibiotics |
23. Assess mother’s blood pressure |
24. Assess mother for abnormal bleeding |
25. Assess baby for criteria to start antibiotics |
26. Establish good breastfeeding practices before discharge |
27. Discuss and offer family planning options to mother |
28. Arrange follow-up and confirm mother/companion will seek help if danger signs are present after discharge |