Interpregnancy Care and Access to Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Abstract

The interpregnancy interval is a critical time to optimize health utcomes, and pregnancy spacing improves future birth outcomes. Long-acting reversible contraception may lengthen this interval, and increased use may improve health indicators in North Carolina. Attention should be paid to developing policies that are equitable, particularly in historically marginalized communities.

Promoting Shared Decision-making in Maternal Health Care

“…In this issue, Wise and Urrutia acknowledge that while use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is growing in North Carolina, reducing barriers to accessing LARC will likely result in larger uptake and reductions in short interpregnancy intervals [12]. Barriers to LARC use include cost, access to immediate postpartum and same-day LARC placement, and provider education.…”