Unplanned pregnancies at antenatal clinic

Abstract

Between May and June 1986 a case control study of late and early attenders at antenatal clinic took place in two South Wales hospitals, one urban and one rural. The study examined the social and attitudinal characteristics of 115 late attenders (18 weeks or later) and a similar number of age matched early attenders (15 weeks or earlier). It was found that 52% of study pregnancies were unplanned with a significantly greater proportion in late attenders at the urban hospital but similar proportions in late and early attenders at the rural hospital. The proportion of unplanned pregnancies was greater in manual workers compared with non manual workers when measured by the respondent's most frequent paid employment at both hospitals and greater in manual partners at the urban hospital. Unplanned pregnancy was more common in women with unemployed partners at the rural hospital. Of those with an unplanned pregnancy 79% had used no contraception or had used their chosen method inconsistently with no significant difference between late and early attenders in the proportions using contraception or in the method used.