Contraception in Postpartum

Recently, one of the authors submitted in article in SciFed Obstetrics & Women Healthcare Journal. The article is very interesting concepts contraception among the postpartum women in North India.

            Now a day in rural areas, reproductive life of a woman the postpartum and post-orbital periods are very crucial. Contraception is also known as birth control, is a method or device used to turn aside pregnancy. One of the most important methods of contraception is sterilization by means of vasectomy in males and tubal ligation in females, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implantable birth control. This is followed by a number of hormone-based methods, including oral pills, contraceptive pill, patches and injections. Less effective methods include physical barriers such as condoms, diaphragms and birth control sponges and fertility awareness methods. The least effective methods are spermicides and withdrawal of the male before ejaculation. Sterilization, while highly effective, is not usually reversible; all other methods are reversible, most immediately upon stopping them. Safe sex practices, such as with the use of male or female condoms, can also help prevent sexually transmitted infections. Other methods of birth control do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) is a form of female contraception that can be used after unprotected sex. The ECP is approved to be taken up to 72 hours after sex. However, for most women it is still effective up to four days after sex. EC will not hurt you or affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. EC will not cause birth defects if you are already pregnant. The following factors were not found to be associated with postpartum depressive symptoms: number of children, ethnic background, planned vs. unplanned pregnancy, marital status, type of birth (normal labor or cesarean section), mood symptoms secondary to oral contraceptives and mood instability at growing up.

National Family Health Survey (2005-2006) India, stated that the unmet need for family planning in the currently married women of the reproductive age group in India. Family planning collected from women and men. In National Family Health Survey all women were asked questions about their knowledge of various family planning methods. Information related to the use of family planning methods was collected from all ever-married women and sexually active never married women. Information on knowledge of contraceptive methods and ever use of male methods was collected from all men, irrespective of their marital status and sexual activity status. All the indicators required for assessing the fertility impact of contraception are estimated from women’s interviews. The provision of contraceptive information is fundamental to the ability of women and men (including adolescents) to make informed choices about reproductive health decisions. National Family Health Survey women and men were asked about their knowledge of each of the 10 methods of contraception. Information on knowledge of contraception was collected in two ways. First, respondents were asked to spontaneously mention all the methods of contraception that they had heard about. For methods not mentioned spontaneously, the interviewer described the method and probed for whether the respondent recognized it. The knowledge of female and male sterilization, the pill, the IUD, injectables, male condoms, female condoms, emergency contraception, and two traditional methods (rhythm and withdrawal). In addition, a provision was made in the questionnaire to record any other methods named spontaneously by the respondents.

This is very impact of contraception in post-natal and post-abortal women, especially those who reside in the rural areas. Regular and comprehensive counseling should be done to all pregnant women-whether attending a small health center in a village or super-specialty facilities in cities- at every level of health care system. More emphasis should be given to the spread of knowledge about Emergency Contraception & MT Pill.