Efficacy and Satisfaction Rate in Postpartum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Insertion: A Prospective Study

Background Postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) reduces the rate of abortions and it is a cost-effective, reversible, and convenient choice of contraception. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and satisfaction rate in women with postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device insertion. Methods This prospective study of immediate PPIUCD insertion was conducted at our institute from March 2016 to February 2019. Approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) was taken before starting the study. A total of 372 women were enrolled in the study after taking informed consent. All the women were counseled regarding different methods of contraception and birth control during antenatal checkups, early labor and immediately postpartum (within 48 hours). All the enrolled women in the study were followed for three years to determine the satisfaction and success rate of PPIUCD continuation. We also kept the record of women who discontinued PPIUCD.  Results After the exclusion criteria, 372 women were recruited in the study. The mean gestation age at the time of delivery was 38.5 weeks with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.45. All the women were followed for short-term and long-term complications and satisfaction rates. Out of 372, 51.07% of women (n = 190) had a spontaneous vaginal delivery, and 48.9% of women (n = 182) had a cesarean section but there was no significant long-term satisfaction outcome difference in both the groups. The highest success rate of the postpartum long-acting intrauterine contraceptive device was noted in patients who were counseled thoroughly in the antenatal and intrapartum period 61.5% as compared to those patients who were counseled either antenatally 42.2 %, intrapartum 35.4%, or immediate postpartum 22.4% alone. Conclusion PPIUCD insertion is an opportunity not to be missed. It allows women to obtain safe, long-acting, highly effective contraception while already within the medical system. More research data are needed in the literature with regard to counseling timings for PPIUCD insertion during the antenatal and postnatal period as it can affect the decision of women to prevent unplanned pregnancy. PPIUCD has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates among all the contraceptives.