Postpartum Long-acting Reversible Contraception Use Research Articles

The Impact of COVID-19 and Policy Changes on Immediate Postpartum Contraception and Permanent Contraception at an Urban Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to increased use of telemedicine visits and a temporary suspension of interval tubal ligations, providers at the University of Maryland Medical Center were encouraged to counsel patients interested in long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) about immediate postpartum placement. We assessed immediate postpartum contraception uptake following these policy changes. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we compared patients who delivered a live born infant(s) before the pandemic ("pre-COVID cohort," December 16, 2019-March 1, 2020) and at the beginning of the pandemic ("during-COVID cohort," March 16-May 31, 2020). We collected electronic medical record data, including sociodemographic characteristics and contraception choices antenatally and through 1 year postpartum for 631 patients (321 pre-COVID, 310 during-COVID). Results: Odds of immediate postpartum LARC use in the during-COVID cohort were 33% higher than in the pre-COVID cohort, but this was not statistically significant (adjusted odds ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval: 0.81-2.19). We found no difference in numbers of patients who received immediate postpartum tubal ligation (10% pre-COVID vs. 11% during-COVID). No patients in the during-COVID cohort obtained interval tubal ligations within 6 months of delivery. Contraceptive choices differed at postpartum visits (p = 0.03), with a decrease in delayed postpartum LARC placement in the during-COVID cohort (15% pre-COVID vs. 8% during-COVID). Conclusions: When COVID-19-related hospital policies prompted increased counseling on immediate postpartum LARC and suspension of interval tubal ligations, patients tended to be more likely to choose immediate postpartum LARC. Situational resource restrictions and targeted counseling may influence patient choices and access to desired contraceptive methods.

Postpartum long-acting reversible contraception among privately insured: U.S. National analysis 2007–2016, by term and preterm birth

ObjectivesTo investigate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use among privately insured women, with specific consideration of use after preterm delivery. Study designWe used the national IBM MarketScan Commercial Database to identify singleton deliveries from 2007 to 2016, spontaneous preterm birth, and follow-up ≤12 weeks postpartum. We assessed ≤12-week postpartum LARC placement overall and after spontaneous preterm deliveries, across study years. We examined timing of placement, rates of postpartum follow-up, and state-level variation in postpartum LARC. ResultsAmong 3,132,107 singleton deliveries, 6.6% were spontaneous preterm. Over the time period, total postpartum LARC use increased 4.8% to 11.7% for intrauterine devices (IUDs), 0.2% to 2.4% for implants. In 2016, those who experienced a spontaneous preterm birth were less likely to initiate postpartum IUDs compared to their peers (10.2% vs 11.8%, p < 0.001), minimally more likely to initiate implants (2.7% vs 2.4%, p = 0.04) and more likely to present for postpartum care (61.7% vs 55.9%, p < 0.001). LARC placement prior to hospital discharge was rare (preterm: 8 per 10,000 deliveries vs all others: 6.3 per 10,000 deliveries, p = 0.002). State-level analysis showed wide variation in postpartum LARC (range 6%–32%). ConclusionsWhile postpartum LARC use increased among the privately insured 2007–2016, few received LARC prior to hospital discharge. Those experiencing preterm birth were no more likely to receive inpatient LARC. Postpartum follow-up remained low and regional variation of LARC was high, highlighting the need for efforts to remove barriers to inpatient postpartum LARC for all who desire it—public and privately insured alike. ImplicationsAmong the half of U.S. births that are privately insured, postpartum LARC is increasing after both term and preterm births, yet exceedingly few (<0.1%) received LARC prior to hospital discharge.

Medicaid Payment For Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Prompts More Equitable Use.

To increase access to highly effective contraception and improve reproductive autonomy, a growing number of state Medicaid programs pay for the provision of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in addition to providing a global payment for maternity care. Using Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data, we examined postpartum LARC use both overall and by race and ethnicity among respondents with Medicaid-paid births during the period 2012-18 in eight states that implemented immediate postpartum LARC payment and eight states without it. Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design, we found that the policy resulted in an overall 2.1-percentage-point increase in postpartum LARC use. Our triple-differences analysis found no significant change among White mothers and a 3.7-percentage-point increase in use among Black mothers compared with White mothers. Additional research is needed to determine whether this increase was aligned with patients' preferences and whether hospitals' immediate postpartum LARC policies and practices take a patient-centered approach that supports reproductive autonomy and equity.

Changes in postpartum contraception utilization rates during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with restricted access to reproductive care including delayed abortion and female sterilization procedures, in addition to altered maternity care experiences. Given high rates of unintended and short-interval pregnancies in the United States in general and negative obstetric outcomes specifically associated with COVID-19, access to all effective pregnancy prevention methods during the pandemic was crucial. To investigate changes in contraception utilization rates prior to delivery discharge, at outpatient postpartum visits, and at 10 weeks' postpartum, at the largest healthcare system in Central Massachusetts, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (15 March to 15 May 2020), compared to the same period in 2019. Retrospective cohort review. Compared perinatal individuals (n = 495) who received prenatal care and delivered at UMass Memorial Medical Center from mid-March to mid-May in both 2019 (non-pandemic) and 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic). Receipt of contraception prior to delivery discharge and at outpatient postpartum visit was estimated and compared between the two time periods using the Chi-square test for categorical variables (or Fisher's exact test when cell counts were < 5) and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounders. The proportion of individuals who used long-acting reversible contraception before delivery discharge was 4% in 2019 and 13% in 2020 (p = 0.01). Modes of outpatient postpartum visit contraception did not vary from 2019 to 2020, (p = 0.06). Overall, there were no differences in contraception utilization rates at 10 weeks' postpartum from 2019 to 2020, (p = 0.50). Compared to a year prior, immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception use increased during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, while overall contraception use at 10 weeks' postpartum remained unchanged. The evaluation of contraceptive use during the most restrictive time of COVID-19 pandemic can help identify opportunities to increase access to effective contraception, such as the immediate postpartum period prior to hospital discharge.

Counseling increases immediate postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) acceptability in Hispanic women

ObjectiveDetermine if providing basic contraceptive counseling during prenatal visits increases pregnant Hispanic women's acceptance of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Study DesignRespondents completed a short survey consisting of demographic information, an acculturation scale, and perceptions of immediate postpartum LARC use. After reading a brief educational excerpt on intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the subdermal contraceptive implant, LARC acceptability was reassessed. The study included 198 Hispanic women, ages 14 and older, in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy receiving care at an academic practice along the United States-Mexico border in West Texas. Analysis was performed using a McNemar test, univariate and multivariable relative risk (RR) regression. ResultsPrior to an educational intervention, 34.5% of respondents indicated that they were planning to use immediate postpartum LARC. Following the educational intervention, 74.5% of respondents indicated they would consider a postpartum LARC. The pre/post comparison on the intent to use postpartum LARC showed that a significant number of respondents changed their intention to use LARC after reading the educational intervention (RR= 2.54, p<0.0001). LARC acceptability was high among single women, those less than 25-years-old, women with current unintended pregnancies, and women using a contraceptive method that failed when they became pregnant. ConclusionIn communities with a high proportion of Hispanic women, postpartum contraceptive counseling is crucial for patient education and family planning. When women are provided with brief, structured contraceptive counseling during prenatal visits, they are more willing to consider use of an immediate postpartum LARC for their future family planning.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Postpartum LARC: A Retrospective Cohort Study [A20

INTRODUCTION: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, providers were encouraged to counsel patients interested in long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) about immediate postpartum placement to decrease in-person postpartum visits. We assessed the impact of this COVID-related hospital policy on postpartum LARC uptake. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we compared patients who delivered a live born infant(s) during two periods, one immediately prior to the COVID pandemic (“pre-COVID cohort” (December 16, 2019 to March 1, 2020)), and one at the onset of the pandemic (“COVID cohort” (March 16-May 31, 2020)). We collected electronic medical record data, including sociodemographic characteristics and contraception choices, in the antenatal and postpartum periods for 649 patients. Odds ratios were adjusted for age and race. RESULTS: We found an increase in immediate postpartum LARC use during COVID (13% vs. 9%, P=.12, aOR 1.44, CI 0.87-2.39). The etonogestrel implant was the most placed form of immediate postpartum LARC in both cohorts (67% and 71% in pre- and during COVID cohorts, respectively). In general, contraceptive choices at discharge differed between the cohorts (P=.01), with fewer patients desiring LARC placement at the postpartum visit during COVID (13% vs. 6% in pre- and during COVID cohorts). There was no difference between the average number of postpartum visits attended in each cohort (OR 0.93, CI 0.68-1.28). CONCLUSION: Changes in contraceptive counseling during COVID were accompanied by differences in postpartum contraceptive choices at discharge. Targeted contraceptive counseling can influence patient choices in the setting of expected barriers to routine postpartum care.

Association of the Delaware Contraceptive Access Now Initiative with Postpartum LARC Use

ObjectivesAlthough multi-component policy interventions can be important tools to increase access to contraception, we know little about how they may change contraceptive use among postpartum women. We estimate the association of the Delaware Contraceptive Access Now (DelCAN) initiative with use of postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC). DelCAN included Medicaid payment reform for immediate postpartum LARC use, provider training and technical assistance in LARC provision, and a public awareness campaign.MethodsWe used a difference-in-differences design and data from the 2012 to 2017 pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system to compare changes in postpartum LARC use in Delaware versus 15 comparison states, and differences in such changes by women’s Medicaid enrollment.ResultsRelative to the comparison states, postpartum LARC use in Delaware increased by 5.26 percentage points (95% CI 2.90–7.61, P < 0.001) during the 2015–2017 DelCAN implementation period. This increase was the largest among Medicaid-covered women, and grew over the first three implementation years. By the third year of the DelCAN initiative (2017), the relative increase in postpartum LARC use for Medicaid women exceeded that for non-Medicaid women by 7.24 percentage points (95% CI 0.12–14.37, P = 0.046).Conclusions for PracticeThe DelCAN initiative was associated with increased LARC use among postpartum women in Delaware. During the first 3 years of the initiative, LARC use increased progressively and to a greater extent among Medicaid-enrolled women. Comprehensive initiatives that combine Medicaid payment reforms, provider training, free contraceptive services, and public awareness efforts may reduce unmet demand for highly effective contraceptives in the postpartum months.

Unmet need for postpartum long-acting reversible contraception in women with substance use disorders and/or socioeconomic disadvantage.

In Australia, it is estimated that 30% of pregnancies are unintended and 25% of pregnancies end in abortion. Unintended pregnancy can be particularly problematic for women with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or socioeconomic disadvantage. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) including progestogen implants and intrauterine devices (IUD) are safe, affordable and extremely effective in decreasing rates of unintended pregnancy, yet are currently underutilised in Australia. To determine the current rate of unintended pregnancy, contraception counselling and postpartum LARC use in women who attend an antenatal clinic for SUD and/or socioeconomic disadvantage in pregnancy. We hypothesise that there is an unmet need for contraception in this population. We conducted a retrospective audit of women who birthed in a tertiary hospital in 2018 with SUD and/or additional social support needs. We recorded the rate of unintended pregnancy, the occurrence of antenatal and postpartum contraception counselling and the rate of immediate postpartum LARC uptake through review of our electronic medical database. Of the 210 women in our study population, we identified a high proportion of unintended pregnancies (64%), a low rate of antenatal (11%) and postpartum (35%) contraception counselling, and a low uptake of immediate postpartum LARC use (3.3%), confirming an unmet need for contraception. Further intervention is required to enhance the access to immediate postpartum LARC and reduce the risk and health burden of unintended pregnancy.

Prevalence and factors associated with postpartum use of long-acting reversible contraception in Bukombe District, Geita Region, Tanzania: a community- based study

BackgroundGlobally, approximately half of all pregnancies occur before 24 months after child birth. In Sub Saharan Africa the unmet need for family planning is highest among postpartum women. There is a dearth of information regarding factors associated with postpartum use of long acting reversible contraception (LARC) in Tanzania particularly in the Lake zone. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum use of LARC (< 24 months) in Bukombe District, Geita Region in the Lake zone, in 2018.MethodologyCommunity based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2018 among women with less than 24 months since delivery. Multistage sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Face to face interviews with 768 postpartum women was conducted using standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Stata Version 13.0. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with postpartum use of LARC.ResultsPrevalence of postpartum use of LARC was 10.4%. Urban residence (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.07–8.06), having formal employment (AOR = 4.81, 95% CI: 1.85–12.57) and receiving family planning counseling (AOR = 4.39, 95% CI: 1.89–10.20) were significantly associated with postpartum LARC use.ConclusionThe postpartum use of LARC was low in the studied population with implants being the most commonly used method. Urban residency, formal employment and receiving family planning counseling were associated with postpartum LARC use. Improving prenatal and quality of family planning counseling is warranted to increase postpartum LARC utilization in Bukombe.

The effect of an educational video on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) utilization at 6-8weeks postpartum period: a randomized controlled trial.

Long-acting reversible contraception is highly effective in preventing unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion. An educational video administered during early postpartum period might be an effective tool to improve postpartum LARC use. The objectives were to evaluate whether a postpartum educational video about LARC could increase postpartum LARC utilization at 6-8weeks postpartum and to assess why postpartum women did not receive LARC. This randomized-controlled trial was conducted at the postpartum unit of a university Hospital between August 2016 and February 2017. Postpartum women who were aged > 20years and willing to participate were recruited. Participants allocated to the study group watched the 7-min educational video on LARC methods while the control group did not. To assess LARC utilization, data were collected at 6-8weeks postpartum using telephone calls and/or medical record review to determine postpartum contraception use and reasons for not using LARC. Two-hundred and seventy participants were enrolled, and the video (135) and non-video (135) groups had similar baseline characteristics. In the video group, 57.8% (95% CI 49.0-66.2) reported using a LARC method, compared to 25.9% (95% CI 18.8-34.2) in the non-video group (p < 0.05). The reasons for not using LARC in both groups were inconvenience of access (42.0-43.8%) and uncertainty about methods (17.0-24.6%). The educational video introduced at immediate postpartum period was efficacious in increasing the utilization of LARC at 6-8weeks postpartum. Inconvenience of access was the most common reason cited for not using LARC. Clinicaltrials.in.th TCTR20171225001 "retrospectively registered".

Postpartum LARC Among the Privately Insured—Use After Preterm and Term Births [23J

INTRODUCTION: Sub-optimal interpregnancy interval (IPI) and prior preterm delivery are risk factors for preterm birth. Provision of long acting reversible contraception (LARC) in the postpartum period may optimize IPI and thereby decrease the risk of a subsequent preterm birth. However, postpartum LARC uptake has not been investigated among those with a prior preterm delivery who are privately insured. METHODS: We used the national IBM MarketScan® Commercial Database to identify singleton deliveries from 2007-2016, spontaneous preterm birth, and follow up within 12 weeks postpartum. We compared LARC placement after preterm and term deliveries across years and by state. RESULTS: Among 3,132,107 singleton deliveries, 6.6% were preterm. Over the time period, postpartum LARC use more than doubled: 4.8% to 11.5% for intrauterine devices (IUDs), 0.1% to 2.3% for implants. In 2016, compared to term cohort, the preterm cohort was less likely to receive IUDs (10.1% vs 11.7%, P&lt;.0001), as likely to receive implants (2.5% vs 2.3%, P=.15) and more likely to present for postpartum care (62% vs 56%, P&lt;.0001). Placement of LARC prior to hospital discharge was exceedingly rare in both cohorts (preterm: 8 per 10,000 deliveries vs term: 7 per 10,000 deliveries, P=.05). State level analysis showed postpartum LARC use widely varied, by state (range 6%-32%). CONCLUSION: While postpartum LARC is increasing among the privately insured, exceedingly few receive LARC prior to hospital discharge. Postpartum follow-up is alarmingly low, highlighting the importance of inpatient LARC access. Variable state-level uptake and private reimbursement warrant ongoing surveillance and efforts to remove barriers to postpartum LARC for all.

Factors associated with postpartum use of long-acting reversible contraception

Contraception use among postpartum women is important to prevent unintended pregnancies and optimize birth spacing. Long-acting reversible contraception, including intrauterine devices and implants, is highly effective, yet compared to less effective methods utilization rates are low. We sought to estimate prevalence of long-acting reversible contraception use among postpartum women and examine factors associated with long-acting reversible contraception use among those using any reversible contraception. We analyzed 2012-2015 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a population-based survey among women with recent live births. We included data from 37 sites that achieved the minimum overall response rate threshold for data release. We estimated the prevalence of long-acting reversible contraception use in our sample (n= 143,335). We examined maternal factors associated with long-acting reversible contraception use among women using reversible contraception (n= 97,013) using multivariable logistic regression (long-acting reversible contraception vs other type of reversible contraception) and multinomial regression (long-acting reversible contraception vs other hormonal contraception and long-acting reversible contraception vs other nonhormonal contraception). The prevalence of long-acting reversible contraception use overall was 15.3%. Among postpartum women using reversible contraception, 22.5% reported long-acting reversible contraception use, which varied by site, ranging from 11.2% in New Jersey to 37.6% in Alaska. Factors associated with postpartum long-acting reversible contraception use vs use of another reversible contraceptive method included age ≤24 years (adjusted odds ratio= 1.43; 95% confidence interval= 1.33-1.54) and ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio= 0.87; 95% confidence interval= 0.80-0.96) vs 25-34 years; public insurance (adjusted odds ratio= 1.15; 95% confidence interval= 1.08-1.24) and no insurance (adjusted odds ratio= 0.73; 95% confidence interval= 0.55-0.96) vs private insurance at delivery; having a recent unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio= 1.44; 95% confidence interval= 1.34-1.54) or being unsure about the recent pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio= 1.29; 95% confidence interval= 1.18-1.40) vs recent pregnancy intended; having ≥1 previous live birth (adjusted odds ratio= 1.40; 95% confidence interval= 1.31-1.48); and having a postpartum check-up after recent live birth (adjusted odds ratio= 2.70; 95% confidence interval= 2.35-3.11). Hispanic and non-Hispanic black postpartum women had a higher rate of long-acting reversible contraception use (26.6% and 23.4%, respectively) compared to non-Hispanic white women (21.5%), and there was significant race/ethnicity interaction with educational level. Nearly 1 in 6 (15.3%) postpartum women with a recent live birth and nearly 1 in 4 (22.5%) postpartum women using reversible contraception reported long-acting reversible contraception use. Our analysis suggests that factors such as age, race/ethnicity, education, insurance, parity, intendedness of recent pregnancy, and postpartum visit attendance may be associated with postpartum long-acting reversible contraception use. Ensuring all postpartum women have access to the full range of contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible contraception, is important to prevent unintended pregnancy and optimize birth spacing. Contraceptive access may be improved by public health efforts and programs that address barriers in the postpartum period, including increasing awareness of the availability, effectiveness, and safety of long-acting reversible contraception (and other methods), as well as providing full reimbursement for contraceptive services and removal of administrative and logistical barriers.

Prenatal Contraceptive Counseling by Video.

Effective postpartum contraception can improve interpregnancy intervals. Opportunities exist for counseling and education during prenatal care. Few studies have assessed the use of multimedia as a tool to improve long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use postpartum. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether LARC-focused video counseling during prenatal care increases uptake of postpartum LARC and overall contraception use. In this randomized controlled trial, women receiving their prenatal care at a university-based resident clinic were randomized to receive LARC FIRST video contraceptive counseling along with routine prenatal care or routine prenatal care alone. All of the participants received information regarding access to free LARC methods in the postpartum period. The primary outcome was LARC uptake by 12 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes included overall contraception use at 12 weeks postpartum, postpartum visit attendance, and acceptability of video counseling. LARC use at 12 weeks postpartum rose from an estimated 6% preintervention to 39.4% (13/33) in the video group compared with 29.4% (10/34) of the control group. The difference between groups was not statistically significant. Although overall contraceptive use (72.7% vs 54.8%) and postpartum visit attendance (91% vs. 76.5%) were higher in the video group relative to the control group, these differences were not statistically significant. Participants overwhelmingly liked the video (95.2%, 41/42) and believed viewing it was a good use of their appointment time (92%, 38/42). LARC use increased 32% across the entire study cohort; however, video-based contraceptive counseling did not increase LARC uptake at 12 weeks postpartum compared with routine prenatal care alone. Patients viewing the video reported high levels of acceptability and improved contraceptive knowledge. Video counseling may be a useful adjunct in many clinical settings.

Postpartum LARC use in low-risk women in CenteringPregnancy® versus traditional certified nurse midwife prenatal care

Contraception satisfaction and utilization is linked to pre-use clinical counseling. Group prenatal care may offer increased opportunity for education on postpartum contraception options. This study evaluated postpartum long acting reversible contraception (LARC) rates in women who attend CenteringPregnancy® group prenatal (CP) care versus individual prenatal care with Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM).

Postpartum LARC: Best Practices, Policy and Public Health Implications

To review current literature highlighting effective strategies and policies in implementation of postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) as well as outcomes of postpartum LARC use. The use of postpartum LARC is highly desired by patients, effective at reducing rates of unintended and short interval pregnancies, and has demonstrated significant health care savings. Despite these positive outcomes associated with postpartum LARC use, availability of immediate postpartum LARC is limited in the majority of US hospitals. Barriers to the provision of postpartum LARC include lack of physician education and comfort in placing postpartum LARC, lack of effective reimbursement structures, lack of streamlined protocols for identifying women who are candidates for postpartum LARC, and lack of structural support for the provision of LARC. Providers can eliminate barriers to postpartum LARC access once patients are discharged from the hospital by enhancing efforts to identify patients who are at high risk of no follow-up and by eliminating two-step protocols for LARC insertion. A step-wise strategical approach involving planning, implementation, and sustainability is effective for initiating postpartum LARC programs in hospitals. Enhancing physician education, collaborating among hospital-wide stakeholders, and reforming reimbursement strategies are all key components of successful implementation plans. Future research should continue to demonstrate cost effectiveness of postpartum LARC, and efforts to disseminate this information to other hospitals should be enhanced. Research should also target postpartum LARC insertion techniques to overcome variability of expulsion rate data and elucidate superior postpartum insertion techniques. Lastly, research should target identification strategies for women who desire postpartum LARC; for example, protocol development for streamlining access to patient’s contraceptive preferences from antenatal care to labor and delivery care, or a modified labor and delivery intake form.

Effects of immediate postpartum contraceptive counseling on long-acting reversible contraceptive use in adolescents.

BackgroundAdolescent pregnancy is a global public health problem, particularly repeated pregnancy. The best strategy to lower prevalence of adolescent pregnancy and repeated pregnancy is promoting highly effective long-acting contraceptive methods along with special counseling programs. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is the ideal contraceptive of choice for adolescents. It is not known whether immediate postpartum contraceptive counseling increases postpartum LARC use in adolescents.ObjectiveTo compare LARC use between immediate and conventional postpartum contraceptive counseling and discover predictive factors of postpartum LARC use.Materials and methodsThis prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted among postpartum adolescents at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand, from 1 July 2016 to 31 March 2017. The participants were assigned to receive immediate postpartum contraceptive counseling or conventional postpartum contraceptive counseling. The primary outcome was postpartum LARC use. The secondary outcome was predictive factors for LARC use in postpartum adolescents.ResultsOf the 233 postpartum adolescents, postpartum LARC use was 87 of 118 (73.7%) in the immediate postpartum counseling group and 49 of 115 (42.6%) in the conventional postpartum counseling group (odds ratio 3.780, 95% CI 2.18–6.57, p<0.001). A significant predictive factor for LARC use in postpartum adolescents was immediate postpartum counseling (odds ratio 3.67, 95% CI 2.10–6.41, p<0.001).ConclusionImmediate postpartum contraceptive counseling led to a significant increase in postpartum use of LARC in adolescents, when compared with conventional (4–6 weeks) postpartum contraceptive counseling. Adolescent mothers who received immediate postpartum counseling were 3.67 times more likely to use LARC than those who received conventional postpartum counseling.

Prenatal Video-Based Contraceptive Counseling and Postpartum LARC Uptake: A Randomized Controlled Trial [32A

INTRODUCTION: Increasing access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in the postpartum period can improve inter-pregnancy intervals and possibly prevent some of the associated infant and maternal morbidities. Videos are understudied as a tool to improve postpartum LARC use. Our primary goal is to evaluate if a validated, evidence-based, free counseling video during prenatal care increases postpartum LARC use. METHODS: We randomized women receiving prenatal care at an academic obstetric clinic to receive LARC FIRST video contraceptive counseling or routine prenatal care. All participants received information on free LARC methods in the postpartum period. The primary outcome was LARC placement by 12 weeks postpartum, with a secondary outcome of overall contraception use at 12 weeks postpartum. The primary outcome was analyzed using chi-square testing and logistic regression. RESULTS: Eighty-four participants were enrolled. To date, 80 have reached the 12 week postpartum period, of which 63 (78.75%) have completed all follow-up. Thirty were randomized to view the LARC FIRST video; 33 to routine prenatal care. LARC placement by 12 weeks postpartum was 14/30 (46.66%) versus 10/33 (30.30%), respectively. Any contraceptive method use at 12 weeks postpartum was reported by 28/30 (93.33%) and 25/33 (76.76%) participants in the LARC FIRST video versus routine prenatal care groups. We anticipate completing data collection on remaining participants by 10/17/2016. CONCLUSION: Video-based contraception counseling improved postpartum LARC rates with high levels of satisfaction. Widespread use of the LARC FIRST video has the potential to improve prenatal contraceptive counseling and reduce rapid, repeat unintended pregnancy.

Immediate Postpartum Contraception in Adolescents: Intention, Retention, and Repeat Pregnancies [35A

INTRODUCTION: Rapid repeat pregnancy (within 2 years) among young women poses serious health consequences. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is safe and effective, and available to women immediately postpartum at our institution. Our primary aim was to compare the rapid repeat pregnancy rate for young women (aged 13-24 years) initiating LARC immediately postpartum versus initiating LARC within 8 weeks of delivery, and LARC versus other contraceptive methods. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 592 young women with a live birth from 2011-2013 within our healthcare system. Logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of rapid repeat pregnancy. RESULTS: Women using short-acting or no contraception had higher adjusted odds of rapid repeat pregnancy compared to those using LARC (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-6.0; and OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6-7.0). Immediate postpartum LARC initiation had higher odds of rapid repeat pregnancy versus LARC initiation within 8 weeks (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0-5.0). The LARC removal/expulsion rate within 2 years was 46% with immediate postpartum placement and 36% with 8 week placement. Women receiving immediate postpartum LARC were more likely to be under 18 years old, had higher gravidity, and received primarily subdermal implants. CONCLUSION: Overall, postpartum LARC use among young women resulted in decreased risk of rapid repeat pregnancy compared to short-acting or no contraception. However, because of early LARC removal and switching to short-acting or no method, young women initiating LARC immediately postpartum were more likely to experience a rapid repeat pregnancy than those initiating LARC around 6-8 weeks postpartum.

Application of Implementation Science Methodology to Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Policy Roll-Out Across States.

Purpose Providing long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in the immediate postpartum period is an evidence-based strategy for expanding women’s access to highly effective contraception and for reducing unintended and rapid repeat pregnancy. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the application of implementation science methodology to study the complexities of rolling-out policies that promote immediate postpartum LARC use across states. Description The Immediate Postpartum LARC Learning Community, sponsored by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), is made up of multi-disciplinary, multi-agency teams from 13 early-adopting states with Medicaid reimbursement policies promoting immediate postpartum LARC. Partners include federal agencies and maternal and child health organizations. The Learning Community discussed barriers, opportunities, strategies, and promising practices at an in-person meeting. Implementation science theory and methods, including the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and a recent compilation of implementation strategies, provide useful tools for studying the complexities of implementing immediate postpartum LARC policies in birthing facilities across early adopting states. Assessment To demonstrate the utility of this framework for guiding the expansion of immediate postpartum LARC policies, illustrative examples of barriers and strategies discussed during the in-person ASTHO Learning Community meeting are organized by the five CFIR domains—intervention characteristics, outer setting, inner setting, characteristics of the individuals involved, and process. Conclusion States considering adopting policies can learn from ASTHO’s Immediate Postpartum LARC Learning Community. Applying implementation science principles may lead to more effective statewide scale-up of immediate postpartum LARC and other evidence-based strategies to improve women and children’s health.

Postpartum Contraception Use by Urban/Rural Status: An Analysis of the Michigan Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Data

ObjectiveWe sought to examine rural/urban differences in postpartum contraceptive use, which are underexplored in the literature. MethodsWe analyzed phase 5 (2004–2008) of the Michigan Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey. Using Rural–Urban Commuting Area codes and weighted multinomial logistic regression, we examined the association between self-reported postpartum contraceptive method and rural/urban residence among postpartum women not desiring pregnancy (n = 6,468). ResultsPostpartum (mean, 16.5 weeks after delivery), 14.4% of respondents were using sterilization, 6.7% long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), 37.3% moderately effective hormonal methods, 38.4% less effective methods or no method, and 3.2% abstinence. Multivariable analysis yielded sporadic geographic patterns. Odds of method use varied significantly by age, parity, body mass index, and breastfeeding status. Not discussing contraception with a prenatal healthcare provider decreased odds of postpartum LARC use (odds ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.36–0.75). Number of prenatal visits and weeks since delivery were not associated with postpartum contraception method. ConclusionsWe did not observe strong variation in postpartum contraceptive use based on geography. Low uptake of highly effective contraception across rural and urban areas suggests a need for education and outreach regarding these methods.