Postpartum contraception.

Courtney A Schreiber, Stephanie Sober

Journal: Clinical obstetrics and gynecology 2015;57(4):763-76

PMID: 25264698

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Abstract

As birth spacing has demonstrated health benefits for a woman and her children, contraception after childbirth is recognized as an important health issue. The potential risk of pregnancy soon after delivery underscores the importance of initiating postpartum contraception in a timely manner. The contraceptive method initiated in the postpartum period depends upon a number of factors including medical history, anatomic and hormonal factors, patient preference, and whether or not the woman is breastfeeding. When electing a contraceptive method, informed choice is paramount. The availability of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods immediately postpartum provides a strategy to achieve reductions in unintended pregnancy.

Address: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

DOI: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000055