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Postpartum contraception needs of women with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 186–189 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives:

To evaluate postpartum contraception experiences of mothers with premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), their knowledge of risk factors for preterm delivery and their interest in a family planning clinic located near the NICU.

Study Design:

This is a cross-sectional survey of English or Spanish-speaking women 18 or older whose premature neonate had been in the NICU for 5 days or more in a current stable condition.

Results:

A total of 95 women were interviewed at a median of 2.7 weeks postpartum (range 0.6–12.9). Approximately 75% of women were currently using or planning to use contraception, with 33% using less effective methods. Half of women reported they would obtain contraception at a family planning clinic near the NICU. Only 32% identified a short interpregnancy interval as a risk factor for preterm delivery.

Conclusion:

Lack of knowledge of short interpregnancy interval as a risk factor for a future preterm delivery highlights the need to address postpartum contraception education and provision in this high-risk population.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Women and Infants Hospital and the Jill Braufman Fund at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.

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Author notes

  1. A Leaverton

    Present address: 2Current address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    A Leaverton, V Lopes, B Vohr, T Dailey, M G Phipps & R H Allen

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  1. A Leaverton
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  2. V Lopes
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  3. B Vohr
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  4. T Dailey
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Correspondence to A Leaverton.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Leaverton, A., Lopes, V., Vohr, B. et al. Postpartum contraception needs of women with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 36, 186–189 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.174

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.174

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