To Promote Long-Acting Reversible Contraception After Delivery, an Earlier Postpartum Visit Alone Is Not the Answer

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…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

To Promote Long-Acting Reversible Contraception After Delivery, an Earlier Postpartum Visit Alone Is Not the Answer

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Reviewing Author