Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
05:04
A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Adolescent mothers' postpartum contraceptive use: a qualitative study
Ellen K Wilson1, Ghazaleh Samandari, Helen P Koo
1RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. ewilson@rti.org
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
|December 14, 2011
Summary
Effective postpartum contraceptive use is crucial for adolescent mothers to prevent rapid repeat pregnancies. However, high discontinuation rates highlight the need for better ongoing support and long-acting methods.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Adolescent Medicine
- Maternal-Child Health
Background:
- Effective contraceptive use post-delivery is vital for adolescent mothers to prevent rapid repeat pregnancies and improve health outcomes.
- While many adolescent mothers initiate highly effective contraception postpartum, high discontinuation rates remain a significant challenge.
- Factors influencing postpartum contraceptive use among adolescents are underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore factors influencing contraceptive use among first-time adolescent mothers postpartum.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to sustained contraceptive use in this population.
Main Methods:
- In-depth interviews with 21 adolescent first-time mothers (Black, White, Latina) from rural and urban North Carolina.
- Interviews with 18 key informants (professionals working with adolescent mothers).
- Content analysis to identify themes in contraceptive use behaviors before and after pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Postpartum contraceptive use, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like injectables, IUDs, and implants, increased.
- Improved contraceptive knowledge, support, and access post-delivery contributed to increased use.
- High discontinuation rates and method switching were observed due to loss of access, information, parental support, and continuity of care.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing follow-up care is essential to reduce postpartum contraceptive discontinuation among adolescent mothers.
- Promoting the use of long-acting methods can mitigate risks associated with contraceptive gaps and discontinuation, thereby reducing unintended pregnancies.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
01:22Birth Control Methods
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although vasectomy...
00:55Parental Care
Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:33Hormonal Regulation
The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.