Guidance received by puerperal women on contraceptive methods

Abstract

Objective: To identify which orientations puerperal women receive about contraceptive methods and which professionals are involved.  Method: Descriptive, exploratory, quantitative research, conducted through interviews with 30 adult puerperal women, hospitalized in the Rooming-in (AC) of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (DOGI) of the Central Hospital of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (HCSCMSP), from 05 to 30/10/2021.  Results: When questioning the puerperal women about the specific indication for the use of some contraceptive method in this period, 24 puerperal women (80%) answered that they only indicated the use of the  IUD, 4 (14%) were not instructed to use any method specifically, 1 (3%) the Implanon and 1 (3%) IUD and/or minipill. Taking into account the method that the puerperal women would choose during this period, 11 (37%) said they intended to put the IUD, 8 (27%) did not know how to inform, 6 (20%) would use the minipill, 3 (10%) the Implanon, 1 (3%) would use barrier methods such as condoms and 1 (3%) did not intend to use any contraceptive. The professionals involved in these orientations, according to the puerperal women, were: only doctors (64%), followed by nurses and doctors (13%), only nurses (10%), no health professionals (10%), and social workers (3%). The puerperal women stated that they received guidance from the nurse, only in the prenatal period. Conclusions: The copper IUD is the method most offered by health professionals and also the most chosen among women in the puerperium, in this service. Guidance on contraceptive methods is usually provided by medical professionals at various times during the puerperal pregnancy cycle and by the nurse only during prenatal consultations.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/devopinterscie-111