Early vs. Interval Postpartum IUD Insertion

The purpose of this study is to determine the proportion of IUDs inserted in the Early Postpartum (EPP) period that are expelled at 6 months postpartum. This prospective, multi-site randomized trial will enroll approximately 404 women at three large academic hospitals in the United States. Women will be recruited who are interested in receiving a levonorgestrel-IUD or a copper-IUD after delivery. Postpartum women who desire an IUD will be randomized to EPP IUD insertion (between 14-28 days PP) or interval postpartum IUD insertion (42-56 days PP) and the proportion of IUDs expelled will be compared between groups at 6 months postpartum. All women will be seen in clinic at 6-8 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Women randomized to EPP IUD placement will be seen at 2-3 weeks postpartum. Provider perspectives of EPP IUD placement will also be evaluated, as will whether these attitudes change after 6 to 9 months of providing early postpartum IUDs.