Why post-pregnancy contraception is critical for maternal and newborn health
The series explores how the period following pregnancy (whether after childbirth, abortion, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy) represents a vital opportunity to support women’s reproductive choices. With fertility often returning within weeks, timely access to effective contraception is essential to prevent unintended and closely spaced pregnancies. Drawing on evidence and case studies from across Latin America, South Asia, Europe and beyond, the articles highlight persistent gaps in access to contraception, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where unmet need remains high. They also examine how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and intensified existing inequalities in access to services. Importantly, the collection showcases practical solutions. These include integrating contraception into routine maternity and abortion care, expanding provider training through innovative and scalable approaches, and leveraging digital tools and task-sharing to increase access. The series also highlights the success of global initiatives such as the FIGO postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) programme, which has demonstrated how high-quality contraceptive services can be delivered at scale.
Global innovations improving access to postpartum family planning
A key theme throughout is the importance of global collaboration and learning. The series features examples of “reverse innovation,” where lessons from low- and middle-income countries have informed improvements in high-income healthcare systems.
Together, these articles provide a timely and comprehensive overview of how health systems can better meet women’s contraceptive needs after pregnancy—supporting reproductive rights, reducing maternal and neonatal risks, and strengthening health outcomes worldwide.
Links to the the Post Pregnancy Contraception articles
- Editorial: Post pregnancy contraception Anita Makins
- Innovations in post-pregnancy contraception Michelle Cooper, Sharon Cameron
- Reverse innovation – South to North learnings in the provision of postpartum contraception: implementation in a high-income setting Anita Makins, Hifsa Mahmood, Katherine Talbot, Claire Hordern, Neda Taghinejadi, Ruth Houlden, Suzanna Bright
- Innovations and strategies for effective implementation of post pregnancy contraception services: Learnings from the FIGO PPIUD initiative Anita Makins, Suzanna Bright, Emily-Anne Tunnacliffe, Sabaratnam Arulkumaran
- Post pregnancy family planning in Latin America and the Caribbean analysis and strengths in training on immediate contraception post obstetric event by CLAP/PAHO Rodolfo Gómez Ponce de León, Cristian Fabrizio Lombardo, Franco Dilascio, Gabriela Perrotta, Suzanne Jacob Serruya
- Barriers to accessing post-pregnancy contraception in Brazil: The impact of COVID-19 Cássia R.T. Juliato, Montas Laporte, Fernanda Surita, Luis Bahamondes
- Post-pregnancy family planning in Southeast Asia with a focus on novel training techniques Kusum Thapa, Sapana Amatya, Anil Thapa, Meghan Greeley
- Contraception after abortion, miscarriage, ectopic and molar pregnancy Michelle Cooper, Sharon Cameron