WHO GIVES ADVICE ABOUT POSTPARTUM CONTRACEPTION

Women were interviewed to determine what advice they received about po stpartum contraception and what they thought of it. Only 4% of women d iscussed postpartum contraception antenatally. Up to 84% discussed the issue with a midwife on the postnatal ward but discussion was often f elt to be brief, limited and frequently held as the mother was leaving the hospital. Obstetricians appeared to have little interest in the s ubject and only 50% of mothers left the hospital with supplies of a co ntraceptive. Almost all women discussed contraception with their gener al practitioner at the postnatal check but a significant number felt t hat the choice of method was limited to condoms or pills. The postnata l check is traditionally held at six weeks - two to three weeks after the recommended time for starting contraceptive precautions. Women wit h short inter-pregnancy intervals were younger, less likely to be marr ied and more Likely to default from postnatal followup. Pregnant women should be offered the opportunity during the antenatal period to disc uss postpartum contraception with someone who has a special interest i n the subject. The postnatal ward is not an appropriate setting for di scussion about future contraception.