[Post-partum contraception: Guidelines for clinical practice].

Objective: Establishment of guidelines for post-partum contraception.

Material And Methods: Systematic review of publications between 1960 and 2015 from database Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and recommendations of international societies.

Results: The most recent French data show that approximately 2% of women with induced abortion have deliver within 6 months before this abortion and 4% had a child six to twelve months earlier (Evidence Level [EL] 3). A contraceptive counseling is ideally recommended after delivery to avoid unplanned pregnancies (grade C). Among non-breastfeeding women, the shorter median delay for recovery ovulation is 39 days after delivery (EL4). Starting effective contraception later 21 days after delivery in women who does not want closely spaced pregnancy is recommended (grade B), and to prescribe it at the maternity (Professional consensus). In breastfeeding women, the recovery of ovarian activity is dependent on breastfeeding characteristics. Only exclusive breastfeeding with very specific conditions can be used for contraception over a six months period (EL2). For all other breastfeeding conditions, contraceptive strategies are the same than without breastfeeding (grade B). According to the post-partum risk of venous thromboembolism, the combined hormonal contraceptive use before six post-partum weeks is not recommended (grade B). In women with vascular risk factors, the evaluation of benefit risk balance of this use between 6th and 12th post-partum weeks is recommended (Professional consensus). Progestin only contraceptives with low dose are allowed in earlier post-partum (grade B), except at the acute phase of severe thromboembolic event (Professional consensus). In women who want intra-uterine device (IUD) as contraception, it is recommended to prescribe IUD at the hospital and to insert the IUD during the postnatal consultation (grade B). In breastfeeding women, progestin contraception's (oral or subcutaneous) are permitted immediately after delivery (grade B). For women at short interpregnancy interval risk, long acting reversible contraceptives (implant or IUD) started at the hospital is suggested (grade B).

Conclusion: The wide contraceptive choice permits to find the best strategy for each woman while respecting post-partum period specificities.