Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
10 p.
Publication Date
1-2013
Publisher
American Board of Family Medicine
Source Publication
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Source ISSN
1558-7118
Original Item ID
doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2013.01.120126
Abstract
Introduction: The postpartum period is a challenging time for family planning, especially for women who breastfeed. Breastfeeding delays the return of menses (lactational amenorrhea), but ovulation often occurs before first menses. For this reason, a protocol was developed to assist women in identifying their return of fertility postpartum to avoid pregnancy.
Methods: In this prospective, 12-month, longitudinal cohort study, 198 postpartum women aged 20 to 45 years (mean age, 30.2 years) were taught a protocol for avoiding pregnancy with either online or in-person instruction. A hand-held fertility monitor was used to identify the fertile period by testing for urinary changes in estrogen and luteinizing hormone, and the results were tracked on a web site. During lactational amenorrhea, urine testing was done in 20-day intervals. When menses returned, the monitor was reset at the onset of each new menstrual cycle. Participants were instructed to avoid intercourse during the identified fertile period. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate unintentional pregnancy rates through the first 12 months postpartum.
Results: There were 8 unintended pregnancies per 100 women at 12 months postpartum. With correct use, there were 2 unintended pregnancies per 100 women at 12 months.
Conclusion: The online postpartum protocol may effectively assist a select group of women in avoiding pregnancy during the transition to regular menstrual cycles.
Recommended Citation
Bouchard, Thomas; Fehring, Richard; and Schneider, Mary, "Efficacy of a New Postpartum Transition Protocol for Avoiding Pregnancy" (2013). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 154.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/154
Comments
Published version. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, Vol. 26, No.1 (January 2013): 35-44. DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2013.01.120126. © 2014 American Board of Family Medicine. Used with permission.