Does reversible postpartum contraception reduce the risk of pregnancy condition recurrence? A longitudinal claims-based study from Maine.

Purpose: To estimate the effect of reversible postpartum contraception use on the risk of recurrent pregnancy condition in the subsequent pregnancy and if this effect was mediated through lengthening the interpregnancy interval (IPI).

Methods: We used data from the Maine Health Data Organization's Maine All Payer Claims dataset. Our study population was Maine women with a livebirth index pregnancy between 2007 and 2019 that was followed by a subsequent pregnancy starting within 60 months of index pregnancy delivery. We examined recurrence of three pregnancy conditions, separately, in groups that were not mutually exclusive: prenatal depression, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and gestational diabetes (GDM). Effective reversible postpartum contraception use was defined as any intrauterine device, implant, or moderately effective method (pills, patch, ring, injectable) initiated within 60 days of delivery. Short IPI was defined as ≤ 12 months. We used log-binomial regression models to estimate risk ratios and 95 % confidence intervals, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results: Approximately 41 % (11,448/28,056) of women initiated reversible contraception within 60 days of delivery, the prevalence of short IPI was 26 %, and the risk of pregnancy condition recurrence ranged from 38 % for HDP to 55 % for prenatal depression. Reversible contraception initiation within 60 days of delivery was not associated with recurrence of the pregnancy condition in the subsequent pregnancy (aRR ranged from 0.97 to 1.00); however, it was associated with lower risk of short IPI (aRR ranged from 0.67 to 0.74).

Conclusion(s): Although initiation of postpartum reversible contraception within 60 days of delivery lengthens the IPI, our findings suggest that it does not reduce the risk of prenatal depression, HDP, or GDM recurrence. This indicates a missed opportunity for providing evidence-based healthcare and health interventions in the intrapartum period to reduce the risk of recurrence.