Postpartum Contraception Use Rates of Patients Participating in the Centering Pregnancy Model of Care Versus...

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether postpartum contraceptive rates are higher in the CenteringPregnancy population as compared to patients who choose to participate in traditional prenatal care. Centering Pregnancy is a model of obstetrical care that allows for enhanced contraceptive education. STUDY DESIGN: All patients who were delivered within the Florida State University College of Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology residency from October 31, 2010, to October 31, 2011, were included in the study. A retrospective chart review was undertaken to compare the postpartum contraceptive use of patients in traditional obstetric care versus patients in CenteringPregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 472 obstetrical charts were reviewed, with 350 women participating in traditional care and 122 women in CenteringPregnancy. Using Fisher's exact test, the 2 groups' postpartum contraceptive use was compared. Analysis revealed that 57.4% of CenteringPregnancy patients returned for postpartum contraception, vs. 37.7% of traditional prenatal care patients. Furthermore, 24.5% of CenteringPregnancy patients chose long-acting reversible contraception as compared to only 8.28% of traditional patients. CONCLUSION: Centering Pregnancy leads to an increase in use of postpartum contraception when compared to traditional prenatal care. Long-acting reversible contraceptive usage rates were also significantly higher among CenteringPregnancy patients and were the most frequently chosen method of family planning.