Postpartum Initiation of Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives: Knowledge Attitude and Practice Study (KAP)

Family planning is a behavior that allows individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children, at the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through the use of contraceptive methods and treatment of involuntary infertility. Postpartum family planning is the prevention of unintended and closely spaced pregnancies during the first 12 months following childbirth. Short interval pregnancies are associated with increased maternal morbidities such as anemia, bleeding disorders, premature rupture of membranes, puerperal endometritis and mortality . Postpartum family planning (PPFP) has long been recognized as an important component of maternal health care. Through birth spacing and prevention of high-risk and unwanted pregnancies, PPFP helps women who have recently delivered to avoid exposure to the risks of maternal death. Likewise, the importance of the interplay between maternal health services and use of contraception in the postpartum period has been recognized for decades. Globally, more than 90 percent of women during the first year postpartum want to either delay or avoid future pregnancies . An increase in contraceptive use during the postpartum period should substantially reduce rates of maternal and infant mortality by preventing unplanned and unwanted pregnancies and by spacing new pregnancies at least two years after the previous birth .