Safe Childbirth Implementation Checklist

15 items · Health · Medium difficulty · 30 min

Practical steps to implement a safe childbirth checklist across facilities.

• Secure leadership commitment for checklist use

  Obtain visible support from facility managers and clinical leads.

• Schedule skilled birth attendants for all shifts

  Ensure trained staff are rostered and aware of responsibilities.

• Hold a team briefing on checklist purpose and roles

  Short, focused session before shifts to review use and responsibilities.

• Assess facility readiness for childbirth care
• Check availability of essential medicines (e.g., oxytocin, magnesium sulfate)

  Confirm stocks and expiry dates.

• Verify functional newborn resuscitation equipment (bag-mask, suction)

  Test and replace faulty items before shifts.

• Ensure clean delivery kits and sterilization supplies

  Check availability of gloves, sterile blades, and cleaning supplies.

• Use the checklist at four key pause points

  Admission, pre-delivery, immediately after birth, discharge.

• Monitor and record maternal vital signs regularly

  Record blood pressure, pulse, temperature and bleeding.

• Prepare a clear emergency referral and transport plan

  List contacts, transport options and stabilization steps.

• Ensure immediate newborn care: warmth and breastfeeding

  Provide skin-to-skin, dry baby, and initiate breastfeeding early.

• Train staff on infection prevention and hand hygiene

  Reinforce simple handwashing and clean techniques.

• Keep simple records and review outcomes weekly

  Track complications, referrals, and checklist use rates.

• Hold brief shift debriefs to resolve checklist problems

  5–10 minute huddles to share issues and improvements.

• Adapt checklist language and layout to local context

  Translate and simplify wording for staff where needed.

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