Women in the postpartum period need effective contraception. Unintended pregnancies soon after childbirth may lead to abortion or short inter-pregnancy intervals associated with adverse outcomes. The researchers surveyed two hundred and fifty women before discharge from the same maternity service about their contraceptive intentions.
Some 75/1175 attending for abortion had given birth within the preceding 12 months, and 332/4713 postpartum women gave birth following an inter-pregnancy interval of 12 months or less. When considering parous women, the percentages were 13.3% and 13.9%, respectively. The majority of postpartum women were not planning another pregnancy within the year, but only a minority were planning on using LARC, namely the implant or intrauterine device. However, 42.8% indicated that if the implant or intrauterine contraception could be inserted before they left the hospital, they would choose these methods.
The researchers concluded that almost one in thirteen women in our population presenting for abortion or giving birth has conceived within one year of giving birth. Provision of LARC immediately postpartum appears to be an attractive option to mothers and could be an essential strategy to prevent unintended pregnancy and short inter-pregnancy intervals.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/42/2/93
