Postpartum contraception needs of women with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit

Objectives:to evaluate postpartum contraception experiences of mothers with premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (nicu), their knowledge of risk factors for preterm delivery and their interest in a family planning clinic located near the nicu.study design:this is a cross-sectional survey of english or spanish-speaking women 18 or older whose premature neonate had been in the nicu for 5 days or more in a current stable condition.results:a total of 95 women were interviewed at a median of 2.7 weeks postpartum (range 0.6–12.9). approximately 75% of women were currently using or planning to use contraception, with 33% using less effective methods. half of women reported they would obtain contraception at a family planning clinic near the nicu. only 32% identified a short interpregnancy interval as a risk factor for preterm delivery.conclusion:lack of knowledge of short interpregnancy interval as a risk factor for a future preterm delivery highlights the need to address postpartum contraception education and provision in this high-risk population.