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Abstract
Discussion Forum (0)
Introduction: Contraception is a vital component of postpartum care, and postpartum sterilization remains a common method selected by patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, necessary procedures were delayed or cancelled, including postpartum sterilizations. This study sought to compare the rates of postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 period (April-July 2020) to the same period in the year prior.

Methods: Patients who delivered at a large-volume academic hospital in April-July 2020 (during a statewide “stay-at-home” order) and those who delivered in the same months the year prior (April-July 2019) were included. ICD-10 codes were used to identify patients who underwent postpartum sterilization during their delivery admission. Chi-square analyses were used as appropriate. This study was exempt from IRB review.

Results: In total, our cohort included 4,358 patients (2,162 in 2019; 2,196 in 2020). There were no significant differences in maternal age, parity, or race between the groups. In the COVID-19 period (2020), significantly fewer patients underwent sterilization during delivery admission when compared to the same period the year prior (2.46% vs 3.56%; p=0.03), representing an overall 31% reduction in postpartum sterilization.

Conclusion/Implications: This study demonstrates that patients were less likely to receive postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. These missed care opportunities may result in unintended pregnancy and short inter-pregnancy interval, both of which present risks to the patient. Further investigation is warranted into whether this reduction in procedures was accompanied by a shift toward other contraceptive methods or a reduction in postpartum contraception provision overall, and whether sterilization procedures should be considered essential services moving forward.

Introduction: Contraception is a vital component of postpartum care, and postpartum sterilization remains a common method selected by patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, necessary procedures were delayed or cancelled, including postpartum sterilizations. This study sought to compare the rates of postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 period (April-July 2020) to the same period in the year prior.

Methods: Patients who delivered at a large-volume academic hospital in April-July 2020 (during a statewide “stay-at-home” order) and those who delivered in the same months the year prior (April-July 2019) were included. ICD-10 codes were used to identify patients who underwent postpartum sterilization during their delivery admission. Chi-square analyses were used as appropriate. This study was exempt from IRB review.

Results: In total, our cohort included 4,358 patients (2,162 in 2019; 2,196 in 2020). There were no significant differences in maternal age, parity, or race between the groups. In the COVID-19 period (2020), significantly fewer patients underwent sterilization during delivery admission when compared to the same period the year prior (2.46% vs 3.56%; p=0.03), representing an overall 31% reduction in postpartum sterilization.

Conclusion/Implications: This study demonstrates that patients were less likely to receive postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. These missed care opportunities may result in unintended pregnancy and short inter-pregnancy interval, both of which present risks to the patient. Further investigation is warranted into whether this reduction in procedures was accompanied by a shift toward other contraceptive methods or a reduction in postpartum contraception provision overall, and whether sterilization procedures should be considered essential services moving forward.

Reduction in postpartum sterilization procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dr. Logan Mauney
Dr. Logan Mauney
Affiliations:
Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital
ACOG ePoster. Mauney L. 04/03/2021; 318727; 1907
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Dr. Logan Mauney
Affiliations:
Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital
Abstract
Discussion Forum (0)
Introduction: Contraception is a vital component of postpartum care, and postpartum sterilization remains a common method selected by patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, necessary procedures were delayed or cancelled, including postpartum sterilizations. This study sought to compare the rates of postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 period (April-July 2020) to the same period in the year prior.

Methods: Patients who delivered at a large-volume academic hospital in April-July 2020 (during a statewide “stay-at-home” order) and those who delivered in the same months the year prior (April-July 2019) were included. ICD-10 codes were used to identify patients who underwent postpartum sterilization during their delivery admission. Chi-square analyses were used as appropriate. This study was exempt from IRB review.

Results: In total, our cohort included 4,358 patients (2,162 in 2019; 2,196 in 2020). There were no significant differences in maternal age, parity, or race between the groups. In the COVID-19 period (2020), significantly fewer patients underwent sterilization during delivery admission when compared to the same period the year prior (2.46% vs 3.56%; p=0.03), representing an overall 31% reduction in postpartum sterilization.

Conclusion/Implications: This study demonstrates that patients were less likely to receive postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. These missed care opportunities may result in unintended pregnancy and short inter-pregnancy interval, both of which present risks to the patient. Further investigation is warranted into whether this reduction in procedures was accompanied by a shift toward other contraceptive methods or a reduction in postpartum contraception provision overall, and whether sterilization procedures should be considered essential services moving forward.

Introduction: Contraception is a vital component of postpartum care, and postpartum sterilization remains a common method selected by patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, necessary procedures were delayed or cancelled, including postpartum sterilizations. This study sought to compare the rates of postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 period (April-July 2020) to the same period in the year prior.

Methods: Patients who delivered at a large-volume academic hospital in April-July 2020 (during a statewide “stay-at-home” order) and those who delivered in the same months the year prior (April-July 2019) were included. ICD-10 codes were used to identify patients who underwent postpartum sterilization during their delivery admission. Chi-square analyses were used as appropriate. This study was exempt from IRB review.

Results: In total, our cohort included 4,358 patients (2,162 in 2019; 2,196 in 2020). There were no significant differences in maternal age, parity, or race between the groups. In the COVID-19 period (2020), significantly fewer patients underwent sterilization during delivery admission when compared to the same period the year prior (2.46% vs 3.56%; p=0.03), representing an overall 31% reduction in postpartum sterilization.

Conclusion/Implications: This study demonstrates that patients were less likely to receive postpartum sterilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. These missed care opportunities may result in unintended pregnancy and short inter-pregnancy interval, both of which present risks to the patient. Further investigation is warranted into whether this reduction in procedures was accompanied by a shift toward other contraceptive methods or a reduction in postpartum contraception provision overall, and whether sterilization procedures should be considered essential services moving forward.

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