Patient acceptability, continuation and complication rates with immediate postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion at caesarean section and vaginal birth

Abstract

Background: Immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) has been shown to reduce unintended pregnancy but uptake of this type of contraception in Australia is low compared to European counterparts. Aims:To assess self-reported continuation rates, complications and satisfaction in patients having immediate postpartum hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) inserted at caesarean section (CS) or after vaginal birth (VB). Materials and methods:Retrospective cohort study of all patients with immediate postpartum hormonal IUD insertion over three years at a tertiary maternity service. Primary outcomes were patient satisfaction, continuation and expulsion rates.Secondary outcomes were reason for discontinuation, patient-reported complications, attendance for postpartum check with a general practitioner (GP) and rate of unplanned pregnancy. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.Results: One hundred and ninety-three women had a hormonal IUD inserted and 143 consented to involvement (CS n = 79; VB n = 64). Six and 12 months continuation rates for CS were 60.8% and 54.4%, and VB were 46.9% and 39.1%. The most common reasons for removal were: pain (34.5%), heavy or irregular bleeding (25.9%) and partial expulsion (24.1%). Expulsion was more likely after VB (34.1%) than CS (10.1%), (odds ratio 2.72; 95% CI 1.07-6.90; P = 0.036). There were 60.8% of women post-CS and 56.3% of women post-VB who were satisfied with their decision to have immediate postpartum insertion and most women attended routine postpartum follow-up with their GP (89.5%). Conclusion:Immediate postpartum hormonal IUD insertion in this cohort is associated with higher rates of expulsion and lower satisfaction rates compared to those documented in the literature for delayed postpartum insertion cohorts.

Postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) insertion: A single centre follow-up telephone survey assessing clinical outcomes and client perception

“…However, the findings of this study are different to the others and cannot be generalised to other settings. Their other complications were similar to the literature (12). Another prospective study (n=372) has shown 91% satisfaction rate after three years postpartum and the authors have highlighted that the highest rate of PPIUD was noted amongst clients who were counseled properly showing the importance of basic counselling antenatally (13).…”

“…In our study, there was a minimum of one year gap for the follow up which is the main strength in ours. There was another retrospective telephone follow up study (n=193) from Australia and the design was similar to our study (12). This study has shown higher rates of expulsion and lower satisfaction rates compared to those reported elsewhere in the world.…”