Comparison of levonorgestrel level and creamatocrit in milk following immediate versus delayed postpartum placement of the levonorgestrel IUD.

Background: Breastfeeding and postpartum contraception critically influence infant and maternal health outcomes. In this pilot study, we explore the effects of timing and duration of postpartum levonorgestrel exposure on milk lipid and levonorgestrel content to establish baseline data for future research.

Methods: This sub-study recruited a balanced convenience sample from 259 participants enrolled in a parent randomized controlled trial comparing immediate to delayed (4-8 weeks) postpartum levonorgestrel IUD placement.