In this guide
The four PNC visits
Kenya's Ministry of Health schedules postnatal care for mother and baby at four points:
| Visit | When | What it catches |
|---|---|---|
| PNC 1 | Within 48 hours of birth | Bleeding, infection, blood pressure, early feeding problems, newborn danger signs |
| PNC 2 | 1 to 2 weeks | Wound healing, jaundice, weight gain, breastfeeding difficulties |
| PNC 3 | 4 to 6 weeks | Recovery, family planning, mood and postnatal depression, baby's growth |
| PNC 4 | 4 to 6 months | Family planning follow-up, nutrition, mother's health |
Summarised for planning follow-up. Clinical content should follow current Ministry of Health guidelines and the Mother and Child Health Handbook.
For mothers who deliver in your facility, PNC 1 usually happens before discharge. The visits that go missing are PNC 2, 3 and 4.
Why mothers skip PNC
- "I feel fine." Once home, a mother focuses on the baby. Her own check-up feels optional.
- Nobody booked it. Discharge notes often say "PNC in two weeks" with no date and no reminder.
- She thinks the baby's clinic is enough. Many mothers do not know PNC is also for them.
- Transport and cost, especially after a caesarean section.
Seven steps to better PNC completion
- Book PNC 2 and PNC 3 at discharge, with dates written in her handbook.
- Pair PNC 3 with the 6-week vaccines. The baby's first vaccines fall at 6 weeks, inside the PNC 3 window. One trip, two services, and a mother who is already coming for the baby.
- Explain that PNC is for her too, in one sentence: "At six weeks we check that you have healed well and talk about family planning."
- Teach three danger signs before discharge, and give her a number to message any time.
- Send a day-3 check-in message. "How are you and baby doing?" builds the relationship and surfaces problems early.
- Remind before each visit in her language, two days before and on the morning.
- Trace missed PNC visits the same way as missed vaccines. See the defaulter tracing system.
PNC message templates
Day-3 check-in
English
Hello {Name}, this is {Clinic}. How are you and {Baby's name} doing since you went home? If you have heavy bleeding, fever, or baby is not feeding well, please call us or come in immediately. Reply here if you have any question.
Kiswahili
Habari {Jina}, huu ni ujumbe kutoka {Kliniki}. Wewe na {Jina la mtoto} mnaendeleaje tangu mrudi nyumbani? Ukitokwa na damu nyingi, ukiwa na homa, au mtoto hanyonyi vizuri, tafadhali tupigie simu au uje mara moja. Jibu hapa kama una swali lolote.
PNC 3 with the 6-week vaccines
English
Hello {Name}, {Baby's name}'s 6-week vaccines are due on {Date} at {Clinic}. We will also do your own 6-week postnatal check on the same visit. Reply 1 to confirm or 2 to choose another day.
Kiswahili
Habari {Jina}, chanjo za wiki sita za {Jina la mtoto} ni tarehe {Tarehe} katika {Kliniki}. Siku hiyo hiyo tutakufanyia pia wewe uchunguzi wa baada ya kujifungua wa wiki sita. Jibu 1 kuthibitisha au 2 kuchagua siku nyingine.
More templates: WhatsApp reminder templates in English and Kiswahili.
How to measure PNC completion
PNC 3 completion = mothers who delivered with you and attended the 4 to 6 week visit ÷ all mothers who delivered with you, counted for mothers whose 6-week date fell last month. Track PNC 2 the same way. If PNC 3 completion is far below your 6-week vaccine attendance, the pairing in step 2 is your quickest win.
See how PNC fits the full journey in the complete mother and child follow-up guide, or how HealthBridge's MCH system automates PNC reminders and check-ins over WhatsApp.
See the report owners receive every month
A real sample of the monthly retention report: returning patients, no-shows, ANC completion, immunisations and the patients slipping away. Fictional facility, real format. Free, no follow-up calls.