Contraception After Pregnancy

New guidelines for midwives and other healthcare professionals on supporting families in regards to contraception after pregnancy have been launched.

The guidelines are published by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, and endorsed by a range of organisations including the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The aim of the guidelines is to support healthcare professionals when and how to advise women in regards to contraception. By doing so effectively, women can make informed and planned choices about any future pregnancies and improve on maternal and child outcomes.

The recommendations include the following:

— Women should be informed, during their pregnancies, about the effectiveness of different contraception options

— All clinicians involved in the care of pregnant women (regardless of outcome) should have the opportunity to discuss contraception

— All services who care for pregnant women should be able to offer all appropriate contraception options prior to discharge

— The chosen method of contraception can be initiated immediately after childbirth, should it be desired and the women medical eligible

— Women should be advised that the when falling pregnant again within 12 months of pregnancy, there is an association to an increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and small for gestational age babies

Read the full article and access the guidelines here.