Anita L Nelson1, Salma Shabaik2, Pamela Xandre3, Joseph Y Awaida4. 1. 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles BioMedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center , David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Manhattan Beach, California. 2. 2 Department of Family Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center , Harbor City, California. 3. 3 Los Angeles BioMedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, School of Nursing at California State University , Long Beach, California. 4. 4 California State University , Long Beach, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Reproductive life planning has become an essential element in programs designed to promote preconceptional care and increase utilization of effective contraceptive methods. This study sought to determine if women have reproductive life plans and what they think women should do to prepare for pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Indigent English-speaking women in a family planning clinic were asked individually about their reproductive life plans, preparations needed for pregnancy, and the relative health risks of pregnancy compared to oral contraceptives. RESULTS: Of the 250 women interviewed, only 53% were confident how many pregnancies they wanted in their lifetime; 46.3% were confident about when they desired their next pregnancy. Although virtually all agreed that women should plan and prepare for pregnancy, only 25.8% of women mentioned that any medical preparations were necessary before pregnancy. Women's choice of contraception did not match their pregnancy intentions. Over 60% of women thought that the pill was at least as hazardous to a woman's health as pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, many English-speaking women had no distinct reproductive life plans. Most did not think that medical preparations are needed before pregnancy. New approaches may be useful to more productively identify women who need individualized counseling, preconception care, and/or more effective contraceptive methods.
BACKGROUND: Reproductive life planning has become an essential element in programs designed to promote preconceptional care and increase utilization of effective contraceptive methods. This study sought to determine if women have reproductive life plans and what they think women should do to prepare for pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Indigent English-speaking women in a family planning clinic were asked individually about their reproductive life plans, preparations needed for pregnancy, and the relative health risks of pregnancy compared to oral contraceptives. RESULTS: Of the 250 women interviewed, only 53% were confident how many pregnancies they wanted in their lifetime; 46.3% were confident about when they desired their next pregnancy. Although virtually all agreed that women should plan and prepare for pregnancy, only 25.8% of women mentioned that any medical preparations were necessary before pregnancy. Women's choice of contraception did not match their pregnancy intentions. Over 60% of women thought that the pill was at least as hazardous to a woman's health as pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, many English-speaking women had no distinct reproductive life plans. Most did not think that medical preparations are needed before pregnancy. New approaches may be useful to more productively identify women who need individualized counseling, preconception care, and/or more effective contraceptive methods.