E-Posters-Postpartum Contraception after Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury

Postpartum Contraception after Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury - Michele O'Shea, MD, MPH

Pdf Summary

This study aimed to describe the contraceptive choices of women who experienced obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) during childbirth and determine if the presence of bothersome anal incontinence (AI) was associated with contraceptive choice. The study used a retrospective chart review of patients referred to the Peripartum Evaluation and Assessment of the Pelvic Floor around Delivery (PEAPOD) clinic between April 2016 and October 2017. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the data.<br /><br />The results showed that 22% of the women reported AI, and 47% had a planned method of postpartum contraception at the time of their visit. Among those who intended to use contraception, the most common planned methods were the oral contraceptive pill and condoms, followed by the intrauterine device. The presence of AI was not associated with the intention to use at least moderately effective contraception.<br /><br />The demographic and obstetric data showed that most women were between the ages of 21 and 34, primiparous, and had a third-degree laceration. The majority of deliveries were vaginal, with the use of forceps being the most common.<br /><br />The study concluded that less than half of the women with OASIS had a contraceptive plan in the early postpartum period. However, the presence of bothersome AI did not affect contraceptive choice. This study provides new insights into the contraceptive preferences of women with OASIS, which have not been previously described.

Keywords

contraceptive choices

obstetric anal sphincter injury

bothersome anal incontinence

postpartum contraception

PEAPOD clinic

retrospective chart review

planned methods

oral contraceptive pill

condoms

intrauterine device