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Editorial
Contraception after childbirth in the UK: beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
  1. Michelle Cooper1,
  2. Caroline J Free2,
  3. Sharon Cameron1,3
  1. 1 Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Edinburgh, UK
  2. 2 Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
  3. 3 MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Michelle Cooper, Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Edinburgh EH3 9ES, UK; michelle.cooper{at}nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201310

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    Due to the rapid return of fertility and sexual activity after delivery combined with increased difficulty accessing services, the postpartum period presents a particular risk for unintended pregnancy.1 Fractured commissioning of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in some regions of the UK, and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic, have further reduced community-based contraceptive access.

    The impact of this unmet contraceptive need can be seen in a number of ways. Studies indicate that up to 97% of women do not wish to become pregnant again in the year following childbirth.1 2 However, many women are unaware of how quickly they can conceive, and which contraceptive methods are safe to use at this time.2 Data from the UK suggests that at least 1 in 13 women access abortion services within the year after childbirth, and one in eight parous women conceive and continue another pregnancy within the same time frame.1 The resulting short interpregnancy interval (defined as less than 12 months between birth and subsequent conception) is an independent risk factor for almost all pregnancy-related complications.3

    Despite no-cost contraception in the UK, access to effective methods during the postpartum period is challenging. The need to attend multiple appointments can be difficult for new mothers balancing newborn care and childbirth recovery. Although a dedicated six-week postpartum health check for mothers has been introduced in England, …

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @CoopMhc

    • Contributors MC researched and prepared the manuscript. All authors reviewed, amended and approved the final version.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.