July 2024

Women’s experience of contraceptive and breastfeeding support from their general practitioner in the postpartum period

Allyce B Counsell¹, Katherine Vaclavek², Kate Cheney², Melissa Kang¹, Kirsten Black¹
 

¹The University of Sydney, General Practice Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW

²The University of Sydney, Sydney Nursing and Midwifery School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW

³The University of Sydney, Specialty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW

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Background and objectives

The immediate postpartum period is a critical window for reproductive life planning. Provision of comprehensive postpartum care and contraception advice can lead to improved maternal and foetal outcomes. In this study, we aim to describe and examine postpartum contraception use, rates of breastfeeding and receipt of postpartum care within metropolitan Sydney (NSW) at 12 weeks’ postpartum.

Methods

Women who are >36 weeks’ gestation were recruited from two hospitals in metropolitan Sydney. Data were collected via an e-survey at 12 weeks’ postpartum. Data analysis will report on frequencies with differences calculated using chi-squared tests. Log-binomial regression will examine associations between sociodemographic/obstetric factors and contraception use and breastfeeding continuation.

Results

Recruitment is continuing to reach a sample size of 200. There are currently 99 participants and 23 surveys completed. No preliminary results are available.

Discussion

Our findings will potentially help to inform postpartum care and practice, leading to improved maternal and infant health outcomes.