loading page

Postnatal contraception use among physician mothers in the United Kingdom: a cross-sectional study
  • Eleanor Richards,
  • Annette Thwaites,
  • Jennifer Hall
Eleanor Richards
University of Cambridge Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Annette Thwaites
University College London Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health
Author Profile
Jennifer Hall
University College London Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health
Author Profile

Abstract

Objective: To investigate postnatal contraception use amongst physician women, who would be expected to be health-literate and therefore a possible “best case” scenario of postnatal contraception behaviours. Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data Setting: United Kingdom Population or Sample: Registered physicians in the United Kingdom less than two years postpartum, aged 30-55 years old, who reported spontaneous conception. Methods: Secondary analysis of online, anonymous, survey data collected April - June 2021. Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare efficacy of postnatal contraception by socio-demographics and experience of contraception counselling. A Sankey plot presents timing of initiation and type of postnatal contraception used. Main Outcome Measures: Postnatal contraception use; time postpartum at which contraception initiated; contraception efficacy. Results: Among the 146 women who had had sex postpartum, only 11.6% used a very effective method (LARC/ sterilisation) as first contraception, and 16.4% had had sex without appropriate postnatal contraception. Postnatal contraception-efficacy was associated with timing of initiation (p<0.001); 92.3% of women initiating contraception up to 3 weeks postpartum used effective or very effective methods. Contraception counselling at the place of birth was associated with initiation of effective or very effective postnatal contraception (p=0.041). Conclusions: Uptake of effective or very effective postnatal contraception in the first 6 months postpartum was low, despite a highly health-literate population. However, the significantly high proportion of women choosing these options less than 3 weeks postpartum indicates their acceptability where services are available.
02 Nov 2023Submitted to BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
03 Nov 2023Submission Checks Completed
03 Nov 2023Assigned to Editor
03 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Nov 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned