Postnatal care (PNC) is the care given to the mother and her newborn baby immediately after the birth and for the first six weeks of life. This period marks the establishment of a new phase of family life for women and their partners and the beginning of the lifelong health record for newborn babies (or neonates — a term often used by doctors, nurses and midwives).

Although for most women and babies, the postnatal period is uncomplicated, effective postnatal care (PNC) is also about recognising any deviation from expected recovery after birth, and evaluating and intervening appropriately in a timely fashion.