Appendices: 1. Contraceptive plan pro-forma 2. LARC guidance 3. LARC care pathway 4. Features of LARC methods to discuss with 5. Post-natal contraception planning for young 6. Annotated bibliography of published research on repeat abortion Appendix one
Under 20's Contraception Plan (developed for use in South Tyneside)
Name:…………………………………………. Age………… Address:………………………………………… Parity………. ………………………………………… ………………………………………… Tel No………………………………………. Hosp No…… Named Midwife………………………………. At Booking Previous contraception Y N If Yes: OCP POP Depo IUCD Implant Condoms Other……………. Planned pregnancy? Y N Did contraception fail? Y N Comment………………………………………………………………………………………… At 28weeks Give contraceptive advice pack & Grapevine info Possible choices discussed…………………………………………………………………………. Further information/advice required Y N At 34weeks Possible choices discussed…………………………………………………………………………. Method chosen Y N Support Appointment if method chosen Y N Contraception Plan at 38 weeks …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Postnatal Ward
Advice given………………………………………………………………………………………. Method of contraception supplied OCP POP Depo IUCD Implant Condoms Other……………………………. Appendix two LARC guidance Taken from NICE Clinical Guideline 30
Long-acting reversible contraception. Quick Reference Guide 2005. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health. Available at: www.nice.org.uk RCOG Guidelines on Induced Abortion
The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion. Evidence-based Guideline 7, 2004. Available at: www.rcog.org.uk.
LARC general points
Women requesting contraception should be given information about and offered a choice of all methods, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
All healthcare professionals providing LARC methods need training in the relevant skills.
Practices and services that do not offer LARC methods should have an agreed mechanism for referring women
LARC and cost-effectiveness •
NICE guidance states that all currently available LARC methods (IUDs, IUS,
injectable contraceptives and implants) are more cost effective than the combined oral contraceptive pill even at 1 year of use
IUDs, the IUS and implants are more cost effective than injectable contraceptives
All LARC methods are suitable for
Women who have had an abortion - at the time of the abortion or later
Women with migraine - with or without aura - all progestogen-only methods may be used
Women with a contraindication to oestrogen
LARC and adolescents
There are no specific restrictions for the use of the IUD, IUS or implants
Care is needed with the use of the injectable contraception, DMPA (Depot
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate), by adolescents. It should only be used if other methods are unacceptable or unsuitable (go to and search for
LARC post-partum, including for women who are breastfeeding
The IUD and IUS can be inserted from 4* weeks after childbirth
The injectable contraceptive, DMPA and implants can be given at any time after
use of the IUS before 6 weeks post-partum is outside the UK Marketing
Authorisation. Where it is used in this way the Summary of Product Characteristics should be checked for current licensed indications; if it is to be
used outside licensed indications, this should be discussed with the client, and their informed consent obtained. This should be documented in the client's notes.
LARC post-abortion
The RCOG state that "the initiation of contraception immediately following induced abortion has its advantages. The woman is known not to be pregnant,
her motivation for effective contraception is high and she is already accessing
health care. In addition, it has been shown that ovulation occurs within a month of first-trimester abortion in over 90% of women."
Before she is discharged following abortion, future contraception should have been discussed and the chosen method should be initiated immediately following
Injectable contraceptives can be given immediately after first or second trimester
Implants can be inserted immediately after abortion in any trimester.
WHOMEC (The World Health Organisation's Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use) states that ideally both injectables and implants should be commenced at the time of termination, when contraceptive protection is
immediate. If they are started after this time, additional barrier contraception is required.
The IUD and IUS can be fit immediately after first or second trimester abortion
WHOMEC recommends that there are benefits of intrauterine contraception
immediately following first trimester termination (unrestricted use) or second trimester termination (benefits generally outweigh any risks).
There are few data specifically relating to IUD insertion following medical termination of pregnancy. The RCOG suggest than an IUD may be inserted immediately (within 48 hours) following first or second trimester medical
abortion. Otherwise insertion should be delayed until 4 weeks following medical abortion (as for post-partum insertions)
Post abortion check from the RCOG guidelines
A follow-up appointment within 2 weeks of the procedure is a requirement of early medical abortion (although it becomes optional if complete abortion is
The Birth Control Trust has advocated early follow-up as a routine for all women following abortion.
The first 2 weeks is when immediate complications of abortion will present and when any problems with contraception should be resolved.
LARC and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
All women at risk of STIs should be provided with advice on safer sex
All women at risk of STIs should be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis prior to IUD
Women should be additionally tested for Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in areas where it is prevalent. If women request testing for other STIs, testing should be provided.
If testing has not been completed, prophylactic antibiotics should be given prior to IUD or IUS insertion.
Investigations should be arranged for women with identified risks associated with uterine or systemic infection, and they should be given appropriate prophylaxis or
There are no specific contraindications in relation to STIs and injectable
LARC by type: injectable contraceptives
Provided it is reasonably certain that the woman is not pregnant, this method of LARC can be started:
Up to and including the 5th day of her menstrual cycle, without the need for additional contraceptives
At any other time in her cycle, barrier methods of contraception should be used for five days after the injection is given
Immediately after first or second trimester abortion, or any time afterwards. See notes above for more information about contraceptive use post-abortion.
Repeat injections can be given up to two weeks late without the need for additional contraceptives.
LARC by type: implants •
Provided it is reasonably certain that the woman is not pregnant, implants may
At any time in her menstrual cycle (though barrier methods should be used for
the first 7 days after the implant is inserted if the woman is amenorrhoeic (ie there is a suppression or lack of menstrual bleeding), or it is more than 5 days
Immediately after abortion in any trimester. See notes above for more
information about contraceptive use post-abortion
It is important to remove the implant if the woman becomes pregnant whilst
using the implant, and she chooses to continue with the pregnancy.
LARC by type: IUDs and the IUS Provided it is reasonably certain that the woman is not pregnant an IUD or IUS can be
At any time in her menstrual cycle (although for the IUS if the woman is
amenorrhoeic) or it is more than 5 days since her period started, she should be advised to use barrier contraception for the first five days following IUS insertion)
Immediately after first or second trimester abortion (or at any time afterwards).
See notes above for more information about contraceptive use post-abortion
From 4 weeks post-partum, irrespective of the mode of delivery (note however
that use of the IUS before 6 weeks postpartum is outside the UK Marketing Authorisation - see notes above for more information about the use of the IUS
If a woman becomes pregnant with an intrauterine pregnancy, she should be
advised to have the IUD or IUS removed before 12 weeks gestation, whether or not she intends to continue the pregnancy
The risk of uterine perforation when fitting an IUD or IUS is related to the skill of
Appendix three LARC Care Pathway Page 4 of NICE Quick Reference guide Available at:
Appendix four Features of LARC methods to discuss with Page 6 of NICE Quick Reference guide Available at:
Appendix five
Postnatal contraception planning for young women
Elaine Doherty -Young Women's Pregnancy Options Advisor RGN, Diploma Psychology,
Angela Smith - Midwife Young Women's Pregnancy Service RGN, RM, Diploma in Midwifery
The Young Women's Pregnancy Service (YWPS) in South Tyneside is a dedicated specialist
maternity service for young women under 20 years of age. Since its establishment in 1986 the
YWPS has developed a multidisciplinary, multi-agency team approach to care, aimed at
supporting young parents throughout pregnancy and into parenthood. The value of this integrated
approach was cited as a model of innovative practice in May 2005.2
In 2004, the YWPS further developed its service provision to include a dedicated postnatal
contraception service, which ensures that contraception planning is integral to young women's
antenatal and postnatal care. Collaboration between key service providers from the Primary Care
and Acute Hospital Trust supports the efficient and effective delivery of the contraception plan.
This article will describe the background, development and implementation of the contraception
planning service and describe how it supports young women to make informed decisions in
relation to choice and use of contraception after their baby is born.
The Young Women's Pregnancy Service in South Tyneside began in 1986 as a dedicated teenage
pregnancy clinic. Over the years it has been responsive to changing client and service needs and
has developed into a specialist maternity service with Young Women's care being provided by a
dedicated teenage pregnancy team. The team comprises specialist midwives, a Sure Start
midwife, Sure Start Plus Advisors, a dedicated Young Women's Health Visitor and a Young
Women's Pregnancy Options Advisor. Some 85% of pregnant young women under 20 years of
age in South Tyneside opt to receive their care from the service.
In November 2004 the Teenage Pregnancy Unit suggested that about 20% of births conceived to
under 18's were second pregnancies and identified the need to support those who were already
teenage mothers to avoid second unplanned pregnancies. 1 However, in South Tyneside, as early
as September 2003 anecdotal evidence from the Young Women's Pregnancy Service suggested
an increasing number of unintended repeat conceptions within the first postnatal year. By
November 2003 discussion had taken place at the Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board and
agreement reached for the YWPS lead specialist midwife and the Pregnancy Options Advisor to
develop and implement contraception planning within the YWPS. It was agreed that the
Pregnancy Options Advisor, who works within the Contraception and Sexual Health Service and
holds the Family Planning Certificate, would attend the weekly YWPS clinic and that
contraception planning would became an integral part of the ante and postnatal care offered to
young women and their partners. Previous studies had suggested that women were more
receptive to and welcomed information about contraception in the antenatal period. 3,4 A later
study by Smith et al (2002) 5 suggested that this appeared to have no impact on the postnatal
pattern of contraceptive use. The contraception planning service for young women in the
antenatal period was developed to ensure young women had easy access to information and
discussion about all methods of contraception available in order to give them the opportunity to
make an informed choice based on their personal needs in relation to contraception in the
postnatal period and beyond. This is in accordance with the evidence-based FFPRHC Guidance
(October 2004) "Contraceptive choices for young people." 6
Although comprehensive information leaflets about postnatal contraception are readily available,
a number of young women expressed the view that too much information and irrelevant
information acted as a deterrent to them reading the leaflets. The young women largely saw
information about sterilisation, caps and diaphragms as unnecessary and irrelevant. This led to
the development of a user friendly, easy to read leaflet which was specific to the needs of young
women, giving a brief overview of each method and including information about postnatal
ovulation, menstruation and condom use. (Fig 1) This introductory leaflet is supplemented by
providing the Family Planning Association method specific leaflets as appropriate.
Key intervention and information points for discussion about contraception were identified to
correspond with the young women's attendance at the antenatal clinic. A pre printed
contraception plan is generated as part of the case note documentation and updated at each
Discussion first takes place at the antenatal
booking appointment to explore any previous
contraceptive use, whether the pregnancy was
planned or unplanned and whether contraceptive
introductory contraception leaflet "Contraception
The next planned discussion takes place at 28
weeks and begins with helping young women
identify the factors that they feel influence their
choice and sustained use of contraception.
Stevens-Simon et al (1998) 7 suggested that one
of the deterrents to continued contraceptive use
by young women in the postnatal period was
concerns about side effects and, therefore,
exploration of the factors, which might influence the young woman's choice of postnatal
contraception. Issues such as likes and dislikes, perceived advantages and disadvantages in
relation to previously used contraception, preferred time interval before next pregnancy,
reliability of chosen method, ease of use, any concerns about side effects e.g. altered body image
due to weight gain, possible effects on menstrual cycle e.g. irregular cycle/ amenorrhoea are all
Further discussion and information giving takes place at 34 weeks and 38 weeks with the aim of
supporting young women to plan a contraceptive method choice prior to delivery, which can then
be implemented post delivery. As the written contraception plan remains within the case notes, it
is readily available for the midwives to refer to when the young woman has delivered. The
Pregnancy Options Advisor also visits the postnatal ward twice a week to see young women
who have had their babies and to take details for further contact about those young women who
The essential key to the service is the collaboration between service providers; the Acute and
Primary Care Trusts, Contraception and Sexual Health Service, hospital and community
midwives and Obstetric and Gynaecology Consultants. It is this that supports the effective and
efficient delivery of young women's individual contraception plan and ensures that method
choice is implemented at the optimal postnatal interval and within the most appropriate service.
Whichever method is chosen, the service aims to ensure that the young woman feels she has
made a well-informed choice about her chosen method and that she has enough information,
knowledge and understanding to take ownership of her choice and allow her to confidently use
that method. If oral contraception has been chosen young women are offered in depth discussion
in the antenatal period about reliable pill taking, when to start pill taking in the postnatal period
and information is given about use of and access to emergency contraception. There is also an
opportunity to re-discuss pill taking routine prior to commencing pill use on the 21st day after
delivery and this can take place either prior to discharge from the postnatal ward or as a home
visit, whichever the young woman prefers. Aids to remembering pill taking are also explored
and, as many young people are familiar with and more aware of modern technology, such things
as using the mobile phone reminder setting until daily pill taking routine is established are used.
Young women are offered the option of having a text message reminder sent by the Options
Advisor to their mobile phones the day before the 21st postnatal day to remind them to begin
Although South Tyneside has a policy for 28 day supply of drugs dispensed on discharge from
hospital, early discussion lead to an agreement for 3 months supply of oral contraception to
young women under 20 years of age on discharge from hospital as it was felt that this would
support sustained use of the chosen method, especially in the early postnatal period.
For those who wish to consider using the contraceptive patch, placebos are made available in the
antenatal period to allow the young woman to assess adhesion of the patch and use of routine and
to make an informed decision at a time when she is not exposed to risk of user failure if
adherence or compliance proves to be a problem. If the patch is chosen as a method of
contraception encouragement is given to access the manufacturer's automated text message
service, which delivers reminders in relation to patch use and patch free interval as an aid to
Discussion about intra-uterine devices (IUD) are supported by the availability of devices which
the young women can see and handle, as this often serves to dispel any myths and
misconceptions that may be held about the size, appearance and weight of an IUD. Should she
choose to have an intra-uterine device (coil) or intra-uterine system (MirenaR), interim short term
oral contraception to take from 21st day postnatal is made available and arrangements made for
insertion of the IUD/IUS at the optimal postnatal time.
Young women who choose to have the implant (e.g. ImplanonR) have preparatory method
counselling undertaken in the antenatal period ensuring thorough discussion and understanding
of the method and when they have had their baby an appointment is made for Implanon insertion
within the contraception and sexual health service during the optimal 21st to 28th postnatal day.
Again, the Options Advisor sends text message reminders about IUD, IUS or ImplanonR
Those who choose to have the contraceptive injection have the opportunity to discuss optimal
postnatal timing and if they wish to wait until 6 weeks after giving birth to commence the
injection, are offered interim short-term oral contraception to take from 21st postnatal day.
All young women, regardless of choice of method, have the option of being sent text reminder
messages to support the use of their chosen contraception. Additionally, in line with the Sexual
Health Strategy 8 the use of condoms are encouraged as a primary means of preventing sexually
transmitted infections and an adjuvant to contraception. Condoms are freely available from the
Options Advisor at the antenatal sessions and their use is promoted as an integral part of young
women's sexual health. Young women are also provided with a supply of condoms on discharge
The provision of the contraceptive planning both in the antenatal and postnatal period has
encouraged both service providers and service users to see contraception as a natural part of
antenatal and postnatal care. Feedback from young women about the service has been very
In the postnatal period ongoing care by the community midwife incorporates discussion about
contraception and the YWPS dedicated Health Visitor discusses contraception as part of the
young woman's postnatal visit. A study on postnatal home visits in teenage mothers in 2003 9
suggested that home visits, at which contraception continued to be discussed, increased mother's
needs of the young women and provide essential service user feedback on any developments,
which could be considered and incorporated in the future.
South Tyneside District Hospital has now expanded contraception planning to all pregnant
women and an adapted service has been taken forward within mainstream the maternity service
by Community Midwives. Contraception information updates are now incorporated in the
community and hospital midwives' annual in-house training programme. Information about the
development of the service has also proved attractive to other maternity service providers both
locally and nationally and was identified as an area of innovative practice in 2005.2
1. Department for Education and Skills. Press Office Statement. London. DfES; 2204
2. Sawtell M, Wiggins M, Austberry H, Rosato M, Oliver S (2005) Reaching out to pregnant
teenagers and teenage parents: Innovative practice from Sure Start Plus pilot programmes
London: Social Science Research Unit Report, Institute of Education.
3. Walton SM, Gregory H, Cosbie-Ross G. Family planning counselling in an antenatal clinic.
British Journal of Family Planning 1987; 13: 136-9.
4. Ozvaris SB, Akin A, Yildiran M. Acceptability of postpartum contraception in Turkey.
Advances in Contraception Delivery System 1997; 13:63-71.
5. Smith KB, Van der Spuy ZM, Cheng L, Elton R, Glasier AF. Is postpartum contraceptive
advice given antenatally of value? Contraception 2002; 65:237-243.
6. Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care (FFPRHC) Guidance (October
2004). Contraceptive choices for young people. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive
7. Stevens-Simon C, Kelly L, Singer D, Nelligan D. Reasons For First Teen Pregnancies Predict
the Rate of Subsequent Teen Conceptions. Paediatrics 1998; Vol.101 No 1 January
8. Department of Health. The National Sexual Health Strategy for Health and HIV.
Implementation Action Plan. London, UK: Department of Health, 2002; 1-17.
9. Quinlivan JA, Box H, Evans S. Postnatal home visits in teenage mothers: A randomised
controlled trial. The Lancet 2003; Vol. 361, Iss. 9361; 893-900.
Appendix six Annotated bibliography of published research on repeat abortion. Page 45, Repeat Abortion in the United States published by Guttmacher Institute Available at:
• Make sure you wash your hands. • Information regarding oral medications will be given by your hospital’s Storage of medications • Keep all medications out of the reach of children. • A locked cupboard is a good place to store medicines. • Do not store medicines in the bathroom, on a windowsill or in the car as heat and • If you would like further information please ask
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