Postpartum contraception: The New Mexico Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

Objective: To examine factors associated with postpartum contraception, including the relationship between ethnicity and postpartum contraceptive use. Methods: We used data from the New Mexico Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, which monitors selected maternal events occurring before, during and after pregnancy. Results: Our findings in 4096 women revealed that women who are aged ≥35 years, unmarried and lacking a postpartum visit have increased risk of no postpartum contraception. The odds of postpartum contraception were over three times greater in women with a postpartum visit [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=3.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17-4.31) and over 50% greater in married women (adjusted OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.16-2.11). Hispanic women were more likely than were Native Americans to use postpartum contraception (OR=1.25, 95% CI: 0.95-1.64). Conclusion: Focused contraception counseling, especially in the postpartum setting, is important to help ensure the well-being of women and children.