More contraception conversations needed during pregnancy and just after birth

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-06-16 00:01

New Zealand

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More discussions about contraception during pregnancy and dedicated nursing staff giving advice after birth would ensure more patients leave maternity hospitals with a contraceptive plan in place. Researchers found that 39% of patients at Counties Manukau couldn't recall either an antenatal of postpartum discussion around contraception with a health professional, compared to 77% of Auckland patients. Also at Counties Manukau hospital, which has dedicated contraceptive nurses, 31% of patients went home with their chosen method of contraception, while at Auckland hospital only 14% did. These differences suggest there is room for improvement, and an action plan group has been established at Te Toka Tumai Auckland to prioritise contraception needs.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

The provision of postpartum contraception is an important part of reproductive health. Best
practice is to discuss contraceptive options both during and after pregnancy. We found only small
numbers of people recalled these conversations and less than half left hospital with a reliable
method of contraception. We found differences in the contraceptive services between two large
tertiary maternity services which suggests an opportunity for quality improvement around
contraception provision.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, University of Auckland, University of Otago

Funder: na

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