Immediate post-placental insertion of intrauterine contraceptive devices

Insertion of one of three types of intrauterine contraceptive device--the Lem, copper 7, and 'Progestasert' system--was carried out in 274 obstetric patients. These devices were all inserted within 20 min of delivery of the placenta and membranes, with a special 25 cm inserter. The expulsion-rate was low (less than 7%), and there were no uterine perforations. There was no difference in puerperal morbidity between these patients and a matched control group, and no cases of pelvic sepsis developed.