The postnatal review: the task of the midwife

There is growing realization that women's health and involvement in health care are essential keys to health for all. One way in which the midwifery profession can contribute to women's health is by providing high quality care during the six week postnatal review/checkup. A study in three provincial hospitals in the Port Elizabeth area showed that the actual structure of the postnatal review fell far short of the ideal as specified by the literature. Of all the elements included in the ideal postnatal review, only 23.5% of these were performed or supervised by the midwife. Seventy percent (70%) of these elements were not performed at all, thus emphasising the fact that a comprehensive health service is not being provided at the postnatal clinics in Port Elizabeth.