Postnatal contraceptive advice -- midwives attitudes.

A survey conducted among midwives working in the Maternity Unit of Billinge Hospital (UK) assessed the postnatal family planning counseling provided by these health workers. All 67 respondents indicated they discussed contraception with their clients before discharge from the hospital; 75% directed their clients to family planning clinics 64% referred them to their family practitioners and 37% provided leaflets listing family planning clinics in the area. Although 52% of midwives presented all contraceptive methods 37% discussed only those methods with which they were familiar (e.g. barrier methods the pill and Depo-Provera). 96% of midwives perceived themselves as the most suitable professional to provide such counseling due to their established relationship with their clients. The immediate postpartum period was identified by 79% as the most appropriate time for this service. The effectiveness of midwives in this role would be facilitated by both further training in the range of contraceptive methods and the availability of initial contraceptive supplies.