In many countries, reproductive health services, such as family planning counseling, contraception and maternal health care, are not readily available for postpartum or postabortion women. Articles focus on important reproductive health needs following pregnancy, including when to begin specific contraceptive methods.
In this issue
Opinion: Improve Family Planning after Pregnancy
Reproductive health services after pregnancy need to improve in many countries, according to an opinion article by Dr. Roberto Rivera of Family Health International and Dr. José Antonio Solís of the Pan American Health Organization.
Important Needs Follow Pregnancy
Coordinating family planning with other health services during and after pregnancy can help improve reproductive health. A chart on When to Begin Methods after Pregnancy is included. Training: An Essential Step offers examples of recent training programs.
Quality Focuses on Clients' Needs
Postpartum and postabortion reproductive health goals can differ, an important factor in providing high-quality services.
Better Postpartum Care Saves Lives
More than 60 percent of maternal deaths occur in the postpartum period, when prevention strategies are often lacking.
Involving Men after Pregnancy
Worldwide, 30 percent of couples depend on methods requiring male cooperation.
Family Planning Needed after Abortion
Postabortion women should know that fertility returns quickly and consider contraceptive options. Hospital Staff Trained to Provide Family Planning discusses innovative steps taken in a Colombian hospital that treats more than 250 women a month for complications of incomplete abortion.
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