Introduction:-rnThe postnatal period starts an hour after the delivery of the placenta and includes thernfollowing six weeks. The postnatal period covers a critical transitional time for arnwoman, her newborn and her family on a physiological, emotional and social level.rnMore than two third of maternal and new born deaths occur during the postnatal periodrnand many of them develop disabilities The immediate cause of maternal deaths is thernabsence, inadequacy or underutilization of the health care system.rnIn Ethiopia Maternal and Neonatal mortality still high and has received significantrnattention from the government. Routine essential postnatal care can help to reducernmortality and morbidity among mothers and their babies. Postnatal care program is onernof the weakest programs among all reproductive heath programs of the country, butrnthere is no sufficient research on how to improve the gap for low health servicernpostnatal care utilization.rnThe purpose of this study is to asses factors influencing utilization of health servicesrnfor postnatal care during the first six weeks.rnPDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.comrnviirnMethods: - A cross sectional study was conducted from date January to date Februaryrn2008. Study subjects were mothers who lived in Gondar urban town for two years andrnabove, and six weeks completed to one year after delivery who were identified byrnhouse to house registration from randomly selected twelve centers in Gondar town.rnData were collected using structured questionnaire containing variable related to sociodemographic,rnobstetric characteristics, perception of women about the risk of postnatal period, theirrnbelief in having postnatal care and knowledge when to start postnatal care.rnResult:-Out of five hundred sixty participants, 409(73%) health institution and 151rn(27%) homes delivered 28.6%perceived the risk of postnatal period, 81.1% belief onrnhaving postnatal care but 81.3% have knowledge on starting time after 45 days 0.5%rnsaid immediately where others no need of postnatal care. Out of seventy three percentrnhealth institution deliveries 88.3% mothers did not provide an appointment orrninformation to have health service postnatal care. 38.2% utilized health service duringrnpost natal period .Main reason for initiation 28.5% maternal and 15% child healthrnproblems, 4.2% due to having an appointment the rest 52.3% for vaccination.rnConclusion: - Health service postnatal care for mothers and babies was very weak inrnhealth institution.