Conformity with current guidelines on oral contraceptive prescribing for breastfeeding women: a New Mexico survey.
BACKGROUND
National and international contraceptive guidelines reflect expert opinion that recommends against the use of estrogen-containing hormonal contraception in the early postpartum period. This study was undertaken to estimate providers' practices in prescribing hormonal contraception to breastfeeding women.


METHODS
A 19-item survey was mailed to 397 obstetrician gynecologists, midwives and family physicians in the state of New Mexico. The survey included items covering attitudes about the impact of hormonal contraception on breastfeeding and prescribing practices. One hundred ninety-nine (50%) providers completed the survey.


RESULTS
The majority (70%) of providers prescribe progestin-only contraceptive methods to breastfeeding women within the first 6 weeks. Despite these recommendations, a sizable minority of providers prescribe combined pills in the early postpartum period: 27% of providers have prescribed combined pills and 13% of providers, mostly those in a university setting, routinely recommend them within the first 6 weeks postpartum.


CONCLUSIONS
Most providers follow expert recommendations regarding the initiation of hormonal contraception for breastfeeding women.
Espey
Eve
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA. eespey@salud.unm.edu
Ogburn
Tony
T
Leeman
Larry
L
Reddy
Shilpa
S
Lee
Carisa
C
Qualls
Clifford
C
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D011372:Progestins