[Postpartum contraceptive practice in hospitals of the Federal District]

For many women living in developing areas, childbirth is the only time when they receive medical care in a clinical setting. These women may not return until they are ready to deliver their next baby. Without access to family planning counseling and effective contraceptive methods, they are likely to become pregnant again within a year or two. Where contraceptive information and services are available to women receiving maternity care, many choose to begin using contraception in the postpartum period. Some elect to have an IUD inserted immediately after delivery or to undergo sterilization while still in the hospital. Under a postpartum contraceptive program administered by the IMSS in one hospital and the same program established in another hospital of the SSA, more than half of postpartum and postabortion women began using contraception or underwent sterilization before they left the hospital. In contrast, the other hospitals under the analysis showed a wide range of contraception coverage from 7 to 55 percent. A formal postpartum contraception program is necessary to establish in all the hospitals in order to improve coverage. Counseling is an important component for all women who must have adequate information before they choose a contraceptive method.