Postpartum Family Planning in Pediatrics: A Survey of Parental Contraceptive Needs and Health Services Preferences

Change in Postpartum Visit and Contraception Rates Pre-COVID-19 to Post-Lockdown in Six U.S. Federally Qualified Health Centers

Background: Postpartum care, including contraception, benefits maternal health and decreases mortality, which increased in the United States with COVID-19. Pandemic disruptions to postpartum health care access in vulnerable populations are not well understood. We utilize electronic health record (EHR) data for prenatal patients (n = 2,265) at six urban Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) from one year prepandemic (January 1, 2019) through one year after the first stay-at-home orders ("lockdown") (March 31, 2021). Objective: We investigated (1) changes in rates of postpartum visit (PPV) and postpartum contraception receipt in the post-lockdown versus prepandemic periods and (2) characteristics predictive of differential changes in PPV and contraception rates. Materials and Methods: Visit and prescription records from EHR were used to classify if patients received PPV and most/moderately effective contraception within 60 days postpartum, analyzed separately and as a composite variable: PPV and contraception, PPV only, or no PPV. Risk differences comparing post-lockdown with pre-COVID-19 pandemic were estimated using binomial regression and generalized logistic regression models adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, language, and clinical site. Effect modification by sociodemographic and clinical covariates was examined. Results: Total patient volume fell 21% in the post-lockdown versus pre-COVID-19 period. Rates of PPV decreased in absolute terms by 9.6 (95% confidence interval: -13.6, -5.6) and contraception by 8.1 (-13.3, -2.8) percentage points. After adjustment, PPV and contraception decreased by 9.3 percentage points (-13.1, -5.4), while PPV only was stable (-0.4 [-4.3, 3.6]). Conclusions: These findings suggest a substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on postpartum care in FQHCs and community health centers. Supply and demand drivers require further examination to inform strategies to improve postpartum care access and subsequent maternal health outcomes.

Expanding access to postpartum contraception

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Women are particularly vulnerable to unintended pregnancy in the 12 months following a birth. Improving access to postpartum contraception within maternity settings can prevent unintended and closely spaced births, improving the health of mother and child. This review will summarize the recent research in postpartum contraception (PPC), building on existing knowledge and developments in this field.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current models of postpartum contraceptive provision may not adequately meet women's needs. The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in postpartum contraceptive provision, with an increasing emphasis placed on maternity services. Antenatal contraceptive discussion is associated with increased postpartum contraceptive planning and uptake of methods after birth. Digital health interventions may be a useful tool to support information about contraception. The most effective long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, such as the intrauterine device (IUD) and implant, can be challenging to provide in the maternity setting because of availability of trained providers. Postpartum IUD insertion remains relatively under-utilized, despite evidence supporting its safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

SUMMARY

Antenatal information needs to be partnered with access to the full range of methods immediately after birth to reduce barriers to PPC uptake. Training and education of maternity providers is central to successful implementation of PPC services.

Comparison of a person-centered pregnancy prevention question and One Key Question to assess postpartum contraceptive needs

OBJECTIVES

To explore the relevance of pregnancy intention as a screen for contraceptive needs among postpartum individuals.

STUDY DESIGN

We surveyed 234 postpartum individuals to assess the alignment between pregnancy intentions in the next year and current desire to prevent pregnancy.

RESULTS

Most individuals (87%) desired pregnancy prevention now, including 73% of individuals who desired or were ambivalent about pregnancy in the next year.

CONCLUSION

A majority of individuals considering pregnancy in the next year desired pregnancy prevention now. Directly assessing current desire to prevent pregnancy may be more specific for contraceptive needs in postpartum individuals.

IMPLICATIONS

Our ability to ensure that all individuals who want to prevent pregnancy have access to contraception depends on the use of effective screening questions. These findings prompt consideration of broader clinical implementation of screening for desire to prevent pregnancy in lieu of questions about pregnancy intention in the next year.