The postpartum approach to family planning. Experiences in Thailand, from 1966 to 1971

Since 1966, 4 large Bangkok hospitals and since 1969, 11 rural Thailand hospitals have operated a postpartum program with a total of 99,434 women accepting family planning services within 3 months of delivery or abortion, the majority accepting the IUD or female sterilization before hospital discharge. There were more than 48,000 immediate postpartum acceptors of the IUD which may be the largest series of cases yet reported. Acceptors had a mean age of 28 years, median 3.2 living children and most accepted to limit family size. "First method" continuation rates were high: 79% at 12 months, 65% at 24 months, and 47% at 48 months. Success was due to emphasis on motivation during antenatal and postpartum period. It was recommended that family planning become a routine part of postpartum care. This program should be modified to reach women delivering at home in the rural areas.