Ankita Mann, Sumita Mehta, Anshul Grover
ABSTRACT
Demographic and health surveys data regarding contraceptive usage in postpartum period in 17 developing countries from 2003 to 2007 demonstrated rates of unmet need up to 88% indicating that postpartum women are more likely to have an unmet need for family planning than married women. A cross-sectional interview-based study was undertaken from June 2019 to September 2019 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, New Delhi. A total of 200 women in their immediate postpartum period (both vaginal and cesarean deliveries) admitted in the hospital were interviewed, and analysis was made. Majority of the respondent’s, that is, 78% were in the age group of 20–30 years. Awareness and acceptance of contraceptives were highest among couples with higher education, higher socioeconomic status, and working women. The most common contraception used was condom (51%), and the major source of receiving contraception was government hospital (87.50%). Of the 200 women, nine opted for sterilization. Mass media (35%) were the major source of information. Contraceptive acceptance after counseling was 47%. Regular and comprehensive counseling is must for all antenatal and postnatal women from every health center in a village to super-specialty centers in cities that are all levels of health care delivery system, proper, and correct information which should be provided about various methods of contraception and the patient should be able to choose a method of their choice.
Key words: Contraception, counseling, family planning, postpartum, pregnancy