Despite higher visit attendance at 2 to 3 weeks versus 6 weeks postpartum, initiation of LARC was less likely.
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC; intrauterine devices [IUDs] or implants) is as effective as permanent contraception yet is less commonly provided postpartum (NEJM JW Womens Health May 2012 and Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012; 206:127.e1). As part of an effort to ensure prompt access to desired contraception, one academic medical center changed the timing of their standard postpartum visit from 6 weeks to 2–3 weeks after delivery and assessed the likelihood of use of specific contraceptives before versus after the policy change among women who planned to delay another pregnancy for ≥1 year.
Among 512 participants, attendance rates were higher at the 2- to 3-week postpartum visit than the 6-week visit (90% vs. 82%; P<0.01). Fewer women ha…