Postpartum IUD Placement Is on the Rise but Still Lags Behind Sterilization

Tubal ligation is a highly effective way to avoid pregnancy. Unfortunately, some women, particularly those sterilized before age 25, later regret having undergone the procedure (JW Womens Health Oct 30 2008). Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs), which are as effective as tubal ligation, have the advantage of being easily and rapidly reversible. Although labeled by the FDA for 10 years of use, studies have shown copper IUDs to be effective for as long as 20 years; moreover, IUDs are significantly more cost-effective than surgical sterilization (JW Womens Health Jan 29 2009).

To estimate U.S. rates of postpartum IUD placement and postpartum tubal sterilization (whether at the time of cesarean delivery or after vaginal birth), investigato…