RESEARCHBackground. Postpartum exercises (PPEs) are critical for the involution process post delivery. PPE affects the physical and psychological wellbeing of puerperas. Clinical observation shows a lack of exercise by puerperas in postnatal units. Objectives. To determine puerperas' knowledge regarding PPE, as well as to develop a health education programme on PPE. Methods. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive research design was employed. Probability random sampling was used to ensure that all puerperas had an equal opportunity to be selected. The sample comprised 50 puerperas who were admitted to a postnatal unit at a tertiary hospital in the Capricorn District, Limpopo, South Africa. The researchers distributed questionnaires that contained closedended questions to the puerperas on the days they visited the institution. Reviews of the literature and consultations with midwifery experts were conducted to ensure content validity. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics. Results. Our data revealed that 68% of puerperas participating in the study lacked knowledge regarding PPE, whereas 72% of puerperas were not exercising due to perineal pains, discomfort, exhaustion and a lack of educational programmes at clinics and hospitals. The study showed that there was a high rate of ignorance among puerperas regarding the importance of PPE. Conclusion. We recommend that registered midwives initiate, develop and implement a sustainable educational programme on PPE in postnatal units. Exercises are an important part of daily life for many women. According to Davidson et al. [1] postpartum exercises (PPEs) are regarded as basic therapy, which may improve the health of puerperas. Body image is a great concern for puerperas. [2] However, most puerperas never worry about the exercises following parturition and their benefit. This suggests limited knowledge and awareness regarding PPE that might result in backache, uterine subinvolution, urinary incontinence and flabby abdominal muscles. [3] The study findings by Gaffield et al. [4] indicated that puerperas have limited information with regard to the importance and benefits of PPEs. Sellers [5] asserts that physiological changes such as the weakening of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, stiffness, and swelling of tissues caused by trauma during delivery inhibit the performance of PPEs, which are necessary to bring the stretched abdominal and pelvic muscles back to normal. [6] A study by Ashrafinia et al. [7] has shown that PPEs help to strengthen pelvic and abdominal muscles, help in controlling haemorrhage and ensure a speedy uterine involution and recovery to the non-pregnant weight and physique. Davies et al. [6] further indicated that puerperas should be engaged in PPE to reduce postpartum complications such as postpartum haemorrhage and/or puerperal sepsis. Fine et al. [8] recommend that, in the absence of either obstetric or medical complications, puerperas should perform moderate exercises to maintain cardiopulmonary functions, muscular fitn...

Perinatal morbidity is defined as presence of the disease which occurs as a result of side effect influences of treatment acting either on a fetus during pregnancy or newborn during the first week of life Young, [1]. The perinatal morbidity rates continue to increase despite the advancing maternal and neonatal care services in the Capricorn district, Limpopo province. Its prevention has major medical, social and economic costs. In the developing countries, the risk of perinatal morbidity is six times greater than in the developed countries; in the least developed countries it is over eight times higher. Globally, studies have shown that prematurity was observed to be a challenge and contributes to 40-80% of perinatal morbidity.Hernandez-Rivas, Flores-Le Roux, Benaiges, Sagarra, et al [2]. Indicated that gestational diabetes mellitus occurs in 3-9% of pregnancies in the Spanish population and is associated with high perinatal morbidity. Furthermore, Adegoke, Atiyaye, Abubakar, Auta and Aboda [3] maintained that Nigeria is one of the 57 countries experiencing shortage of human resources for health and severe shortage of midwives. In addition, inefficient utilization of the Partograph which is graphical presentation of the progress of labour, fetal and maternal wellbeing add to the burden of perinatal morbidity. Therefore, early recognition of these factors is very critical for the prevention Abstract Background: Perinatal morbidity is defined as presence of the disease which occurs as a result of side effect influences of treatment acting either on a foetus during pregnancy or new-born during the first week of life. High perinatal morbidity rates cause sub-optimal outcomes, which are common, and might impair subsequent developmental milestones of children or sound function of families, and increase health care cost. The maternity and neonatal units should be staffed with advance midwives, obstetricians, neonatal intensive care trained nurses, neonatologists and paediatricians.Research Question: What are factors contributing to high perinatal morbidity rates in the Mankweng-Polokwane Complex of the Capricorn district, Limpopo province, South Africa?Objective: To identify factors that contribute to high perinatal morbidity rates in Mankweng-Polokwane Complex of the Capricorn district, Limpopo province, South Africa. Methods:The study implemented a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive research designs. Simple random sampling was used to ensure that all respondents had an equal chance of been selected. The sample comprised 66 respondents who were allocated in labour and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Mankweng and Polokwane Campuses. The questionnaires that contained closed-ended questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, completed and returned, except for 3 of them. Content validity was ensured through intense literature review and consultations with subject expects. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data.Results: Data revealed that shortage of staff, overcrowding of pat...