A qualitative study of barriers to postpartum sterilization and women's attitudes toward unfulfilled sterilization requests.

Background: This longitudinal, qualitative study explores barriers to postpartum sterilization from the perspective of low-income minority women. We examine women's feelings and attitudes regarding a canceled or postponed procedure over time.

Study Design: We conducted structured, in-depth baseline interviews with 34 postpartum women with unfulfilled sterilization requests in a university hospital setting. Follow-up phone interviews were conducted at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum.

Results: Reasons for unfulfilled sterilization requests included last-minute misgivings, maternal medical complications, lack of a valid Medicaid consent form, fear of the procedure and provider influence. Sense of autonomy regarding sterilization decision making and ability to obtain interval sterilization or initiate and/or successfully use reversible contraception influenced subsequent attitudes regarding an unfulfilled request.

Conclusions: Sterilization counseling should include comprehensive information regarding the surgical procedure and associated risks and the development of a backup contraceptive plan, with particular emphasis on increasing contraceptive self-efficacy and autonomy in sterilization decision making.