Six-month and 1-year continuation rates following postpartum insertion of implants and intrauterine devices

ObjectiveStudies show immediate postpartum (PP) insertion increases use of contraceptive implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Our objective was to compare the satisfaction and continuation rates of the two types of devices at 6 months and 1 year following PP insertion.Study DesignWe enrolled 133 women in a prospective cohort study following immediate PP insertion of an implant or IUD at two academic hospitals during 8 months of 2011. Subjects completed an enrollment survey during hospital admission and a follow-up phone survey 6 months and 1 year PP.ResultsAt 6 months PP, 72% of subjects provided follow-up information. Implant users were more likely to be using the originally-placed device (40/41, 98% vs. 45/55, 82%, p=0.02); nine women reported IUD expulsions. When accounting for replacement of expelled IUDs, IUD continuation at 6 months was 89% yielding similar continuation rates between groups (p=0.12). At 1 year PP, 51% provided follow-up. Of those, 82% still had a LARC method in place with similar continuation by device type (84% for implants, 81% for IUDs, p=0.96). Overall, satisfaction was similarly high in both groups.ConclusionDue to IUD expulsion, implants had a higher continuation rate than IUDs six months following immediate PP insertion. After replacement of expelled IUDs, continuation and satisfaction were similar for both devices at 6 months and 1 year.ImplicationsPlacement of implants and IUDs immediately PP can lead to high satisfaction. Despite early IUD expulsions, continuation rates were similar to those placed outside of the immediate PP period.