Continuity of Clinician Type and Intrapartum Experiences During the Perinatal Period in California.

INTRODUCTION: Continuity of care with an individual clinician is associated with increased satisfaction and better outcomes. Continuity of clinician type (ie, obstetrician-gynecologist or midwife) may also impact care experiences; however, it is unknown how common it is to experience discontinuity of clinician type and what its implications are for the birth experience. We aimed to identify characteristics associated with having a different clinician type for prenatal care than for birth and to compare intrapartum experiences by continuity of clinician type. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, data were from the 2017 Listening to Mothers in California survey. The analytic sample was limited to individuals with vaginal births who had midwifery or obstetrician-gynecologist prenatal care (N = 1384). Bivariate and multivariate analysis examined characteristics of individuals by continuity of clinician type. We then examined associations of clinician type continuity with intrapartum care experiences. RESULTS: Overall, 74.4% of individuals had the same type of clinician for prenatal care and birth. Of individuals with midwifery prenatal care, 45.1% had a different birth clinician type, whereas 23.5% of individuals who had obstetrician-gynecologist prenatal care had a different birth clinician type. Continuity of clinician type was positively associated with having had a choice of perinatal care clinician. There were no statistically significant associations between clinician type continuity and intrapartum care experiences. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest individuals with midwifery prenatal care frequently have a different type of clinician attend their birth, even among those with vaginal births. Further research should examine the impact of multiple dimensions of continuity of care on perinatal care quality.

Person-Centered Maternity Care and Health Outcomes at 1 and 6 Months Postpartum.

Objectives: Person-centered care has been increasingly recognized as an important aspect of health care quality, including in maternity care. Little is known about correlates and outcomes of person-centered care in maternity care in the United States. Materials and Methods: Data were from a prospective cohort of more than 3000 individuals who gave birth to a first baby in a Pennsylvania hospital. Person-centered maternity care was measured via a 13-item rating scale administered 1-month postpartum. Content validity was established through exploratory factor analysis. The resulting scale had scores ranging from 13 to 54, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.86. Using linear and logistic regression models to control for covariates, we examined associations between participants' characteristics and person-centered maternity care and between person-centered maternity care and postpartum outcomes. Results: Participants had a mean total score of 47.80 on the person-centered maternity care scale. Patient factors independently associated with more person-centered maternity care included older age, more positive attitude toward vaginal birth during pregnancy, and spontaneous vaginal birth. In adjusted models, higher person-centered maternity scale scores were strongly associated with many positive physical and mental health outcomes at 1 and 6 months postpartum. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of person-centered maternity not just due to its intrinsic value but also because it may be associated with both mental and physical health outcomes through the postpartum period. Results suggest that policy efforts are necessary to ensure person-centered maternity care, especially for delivery hospitalization experience.

Factors associated with labor after cesarean in a prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: The goals of this study were (a) to determine how experiences in the first perinatal period shape birth mode preference among individuals with a first birth by cesarean; and (b) to examine the relationship between birth mode preference and other factors and subsequent labor after cesarean (LAC). METHODS: Data are from the First Baby Study, a prospective cohort of 3006 primiparous individuals. The analytic sample includes individuals with a first cesarean birth and a second birth during the 5-year follow-up period (n = 394). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the relationship between experiences in the first perinatal period and subsequent preference for vaginal birth, and between preference for vaginal birth and LAC in the second birth. RESULTS: About a third of the sample preferred vaginal birth in a future birth, and 20% had LAC. Factors associated with higher odds of future vaginal birth preference were favorable prenatal attitude toward vaginal birth, lower perceived maternal-infant bonding at 1 month after the first birth, post-traumatic stress symptoms after the first birth, and desiring more than 1 additional child after the first birth. Odds of LAC were nearly 8 times higher among those who preferred vaginal birth (AOR = 7.69, P < .001). Fatigue after the first birth, post-traumatic stress symptoms after the first birth, and having higher predicted chances of vaginal birth after cesarean were also associated with higher odds of LAC. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the formation of preferences around vaginal birth may present a modifiable target for future counseling and shared decision-making interventions.

Dietary transition among Sub-Saharan Africa women post-immigration and during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Black immigrant women experience high risks for maternal complications, and some of these complications are related to dietary outcomes. This study aimed to explore Sub-Saharan African (SSA) pregnant women's dietary patterns and dietary transition post-immigration and during pregnancy. METHODS: We used a narrative design with a Photovoice approach and collected data through semi-structured interviews, digital food diaries, and Photovoice interviews. We recruited eleven participants (n = 11) through community gatekeepers and analyzed data using a constructivist grounded theory approach with constant comparative methods. RESULTS: The changes in food processes and participants' reactions to these changes generated a dietary transition model with three stages: perplexity, deliberation, and acceptance. (1) Perplexity was caused by different food characteristics such as taste, texture, and options. (2) Participants described deliberation as a process of deciding the kind of foods/cooking styles that would be an integral part of their regular diet. All participants opted for what they referred to as the 'African diet.' (3) Acceptance was characterized by participants' resolve to figure out how to make their chosen types of food and eating habits 'work' for themselves and their families. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the importance of having a sense of self-efficacy, a positive attitude, and community support in enabling migrant women to navigate dietary transition until they are satisfied with newly constructed eating habits. This determination, along with community support and persistent connection to their home culture, might help immigrants resist dietary acculturation and maintain healthy cultural eating habits, which is particularly important during pregnancy, given the impact of diet on maternal and neonatal outcomes. These findings underscore the need for collaborating with migrants from SSA to develop culturally tailored dietary interventions focused on each stage of dietary transition. Future studies should include focus group discussions to leverage women's shared experiences and create knowledge/information exchange opportunities.

Engagement in perinatal outpatient services among women in recovery from opioid use disorders.

Background: Despite being highly motivated to recover, pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorders (OUD) are at high risk of relapse and death. While many services mitigate this risk, engagement in voluntary, outpatient services remains low. Our aim was to understand the experiences of and factors influencing outpatient service engagement during the perinatal period among women in recovery from OUD. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews about perinatal experiences engaging with outpatient services, with 20 women in recovery aged 22-46 years who had children between 6 months and 10 years old. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Women described a continuum of 'collaborative engagement' experiences, defined by the extent to which they perceived their providers or service organizations were invested in their journeys as a partners and advocates. The ability to achieve collaborative engagement depended upon two factors: (1) the woman's transformational development as a mother and woman in recovery, and (2) her perception of the providers' ability to meet her multifaceted needs. Conclusions: Women in recovery from OUD may experience deeper engagement in voluntary outpatient perinatal services when they perceive that their providers are invested and collaboratively engaging in their recovery and personal growth. Future research should test whether collaborative engagement improves service retention.Abbreviations: IPV: Intimate Partner Violence; OUD: opioid use disorder.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Socioeconomic Status and Medical Correlates of Trial of Labor After Cesarean and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.

Objectives: Black and Latinx women have higher rates of trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) compared with White women, but lower rates of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). This study examined potential racial/ethnic differences in correlates of TOLAC and VBAC. Materials and Methods: The analytic sample includes term, singleton hospital births to women with one prior cesarean in birth certificate data for 2016. We estimated associations between medical factors (diabetes, hypertension, and prepregnancy obesity) and socioeconomic status (education level and insurance type) and TOLAC and VBAC using logistic regression, stratifying by race/ethnicity and testing whether coefficients differed across models. Results: Hypertension and obesity were more strongly related to reduced chances of TOLAC among White women than among women of color. For example, having a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 39 (vs. normal BMI) was associated with a 6.3 percentage-point (pp) lower probability of TOLAC for White women, a 5.9 pp lower probability for Black women, and 2.9 pp lower probability for Latinx women. Paying out-of-pocket for birth was associated with a 5.5 pp increase in the probability of TOLAC among White women, versus a 3.2 pp decrease among Black women. Overweight and obesity were associated with lower probability of VBAC, but the magnitude of this association was smaller for Black and Latinx women than for White women. Conclusions: More research is needed to elucidate the underlying decision-making processes that lead to these associations. Future work should focus on ensuring equity in access to VBAC-supportive providers and hospitals and fostering informed decision-making after a prior cesarean.

Exploring Reproductive Coercion in Relationship Contexts Among Young Adult, Primarily African American Women at Three Women's Health Clinics.

Understanding reproductive coercion experiences in marginalized populations is important to assist in tailoring care and services. Reproductive coercion is consistently associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), engaging in sexual risk-taking, and is more commonly reported among non-White women. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a mixed methods study to examine reproductive coercion in relationship contexts among a sample (N = 130) of young adult, primarily African American women recruited from three women's health clinics; 12 also participated in an in-depth interview. Thirty-six women (27.7%) reported reproductive coercion in the past year. Past-year reproductive coercion was associated with relationship trust, (t(128) = -3.01, p = .003), and past-year IPV (Fisher's exact test, p = .005). In the best-fit model, odds of past-year reproductive coercion increased by 4% with each one-point increase in relationship trust score (indicating reproductive coercion increased with lower trust; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.00, 1.08]), and by more than 4 times with past experience of IPV (AOR = 4.74; 95% CI = [1.07, 20.86]). Qualitative analysis revealed women's awareness of reproductive coercion whether or not they personally experienced it. Those who experienced reproductive coercion identified it as a form of abuse and additionally described experiences of pressure to conceive from the partner's family. Our results support routine screening for IPV and reproductive coercion. Furthermore, the intersection of partner reproductive coercion with family pressure related to reproductive decision making should be explored to better inform clinical interventions.

The Preliminary Efficacy of a Sleep Self-management Intervention Using a Personalized Health Monitoring Device during Pregnancy.

Background: Sleep disturbances are common during pregnancy and are associated with the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Personal health monitors (PHM) can facilitate change in health behaviors, though few studies have examined their use in improving sleep during pregnancy. This pilot study aimed to characterize sleep changes during pregnancy in women participating in a self-management intervention using a PHM.Participants/Methods: Participants with low risk, singleton pregnancies from Western Massachusetts were randomized at 24 weeks gestation to receive sleep education only (n = 12) or sleep education, and PHM intervention (n = 12). The single-session sleep education was given at baseline by a registered nurse. Sleep quality, duration, efficiency, disturbances, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks follow-up using questionnaires. We described mean ± standard deviation within and between-group changes in each sleep outcome from baseline to 12 weeks follow-up.Results: The PHM arm experienced larger sleep quality improvements and daytime sleepiness than the sleep-education only arm, but the differences were not statistically significant. In the PHM arm, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score decreased (i.e., sleep quality increased) 1.22 ± 2.39 (p = .16), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score decreased (i.e., daytime sleepiness decreased) 1.11 ± 2.08 (p = .15). In the sleep-education arm PSQI decreased 0.57 ± 2.37 (p = .55) and ESS decreased 1.29 ± 2.93 (p = .29). Neither group experienced statistically significant changes in sleep duration, efficiency, disturbances, or fatigue.Conclusion: Sleep education with PHM may improve or prevent decreases in sleep outcomes during pregnancy. Further investigation in larger trials is warranted.

Feasibility of a pilot, randomized controlled trial using a personalized health monitoring device with pregnant women for behavioral sleep research.

Sleep disruptions are common in pregnancy and can have significant maternal and infant health consequences. Management of sleep using a personal health monitoring (PHM) device may be effective in promoting behavior change and contribute to improved pregnancy-related sleep. The purpose of this pilot, randomized controlled trial was to determine the feasibility of recruitment (i.e., recruiting a 20% minority sample, most successful recruitment methods), retention, adherence, and data collection methods with a sample of pregnant women (n = 24) at 24 weeks gestation for a 12-week intervention using a PHM device. Of 24 enrolled participants, 20 (83%) were retained through the 12-week intervention and the follow-up at 2-4 weeks postpartum. The majority of participants had a four-year education and identified as White. Ninety-one percent (n = 11) wore the device for at least ten weeks. Pregnant women may be willing engage in sleep intervention research and wear a PHM to self-monitor sleep during pregnancy. Future research should consider recruitment methods tailored to recruit diverse populations of pregnant women.

Challenges and Lessons Learned From Digital Storytelling With Parenting Women in Recovery.

With the national increase in opioid use disorder among pregnant and parenting women, innovative mechanisms are being utilized to engage with mothers to build social support and promote recovery. This is particularly important in rural settings where other support systems may be limited. Digital storytelling is an interactive tool that often facilitates social connectedness among participants and may foster empowerment and community building among mothers in recovery. We conducted one digital storytelling workshop with rural mothers in recovery in 2018 to examine the feasibility of employing this method to engage with mothers in recovery in a community setting and promote social support among participants. In this article, we describe what we learned from working with the mothers to guide others considering using digital storytelling with women with opioid use disorder in future research or public health intervention projects.

Evaluation of a Nurse-Led Program for Rural Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorder to Improve Maternal-Neonatal Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To generate effect sizes of preliminary program outcomes and identify areas for program improvement related to a nurse-led, community-based screening, referral, and advocacy program for women with perinatal opioid use disorder (OUD): the Engaging Mothers for Positive Outcomes with Early Referrals (EMPOWER) program. DESIGN: We extracted outcomes retrospectively from medical records for the first 19 mother-newborn dyads who participated in the program (postintervention group). We compared these outcomes with those of 19 randomly selected mother-newborn dyads in which mothers had perinatal OUD and received care before the program launch (preintervention group). SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: A maternity care practice and community hospital in a rural Massachusetts county with high rates of perinatal OUD. PATIENTS: Women with perinatal OUD and their neonates. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: As part of the EMPOWER program, women with perinatal OUD developed individualized pregnancy plans; were referred to community resources in the prenatal period; and received education about neonatal abstinence syndrome, nonpharmacologic newborn care, and breastfeeding. We compared the pre- and postintervention groups for maternal and neonatal outcomes and prenatal community referrals and generated effect sizes using Cohen's d and Cramer's phi (Φ). RESULTS: Rates of breastfeeding initiation (Φ = 0.289) and continuation (Φ = 0.318), mean neonatal birth weight (d = 0.675), and length of hospital stay (d = 0.541) were greater in the postintervention group with medium effect sizes. Diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome and admission to the NICU were also greater in the postintervention group, with small effect sizes (Φ = 0.246 and Φ = -0.144, respectively.) Significantly more women in the postintervention group received prenatal referrals for peer/family support services. We identified areas for program improvement as prenatal education on smoking and postpartum contraceptive use. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings suggest that the EMPOWER program may contribute to improved outcomes for mothers and newborns affected by OUD; however, further data collection after instituting program improvements is needed.

Correlates of Trial of Labor and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean in the United States.

Background: Little is known about trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) uptake and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) success on the national level, which is important as national-level data may help shape future clinical guidelines. This study examined correlates of trial of labor and successful VBAC among women with one prior cesarean in the United States in 2016. Materials and Methods: We used publically available birth certificate data for 2016. Outcomes were TOLAC among women with one prior cesarean (N = 338,311) and VBAC among women with a TOLAC (N = 76,688). We used logistic regression to assess the association between the outcomes and the following categories of independent variables: social determinants of health, demographic and medical factors impacting birth, behavioral factors, and geographic access. Results: About 23% of women had a TOLAC, and 74% of women with a TOLAC gave birth vaginally. Black women had higher odds of TOLAC relative to White women, but lower odds of successful VBAC. Women without a high school degree had higher odds of TOLAC and of successful VBAC compared to women who completed high school or beyond, as did women with inadequate prenatal care utilization. Conclusions: Understanding correlates of TOLAC and successful VBAC at the population level is important for developing national guidelines that can be considered and individualized at the patient/provider level.

Mothers and Mentors: Exploring Perinatal Addiction and Recovery Through Digital Storytelling.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a growing problem for pregnant and parenting women. Woman-to-woman peer support may positively influence perinatal outcomes but little is known about the impact of such support on the women who are providing support. The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of addiction in pregnancy, recovery, and subsequently serving as a peer mentor to other pregnant women with active SUD among women in recovery in a rural setting. We conducted one digital storytelling workshop with five women serving as peer mentors with lived experience of perinatal SUD. The mentors faced significant stigma in pregnancy. They had each done the "inside work" to achieve recovery, and maintained recovery by staying balanced. Peer mentoring supported their own recovery, and story sharing was integral to this process. Peer-led support models may be an effective, self-sustaining method of providing pregnancy-specific peer support for SUD.

Moms Supporting Moms: Digital Storytelling With Peer Mentors in Recovery From Substance Use.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a growing issue nationally, and SUD in pregnancy has significant consequences for mothers and their children. This article describes findings from a pilot project that used digital storytelling as a mechanism for understanding substance use and recovery from the perspective of women in recovery from SUD in pregnancy who worked as peer mentors with pregnant women currently experiencing SUD. Research on peer mentorship has primarily focused on outcomes for mentees but not the experience of the peer mentors themselves. In this qualitative study, a 3-day digital storytelling workshop was conducted with five women in recovery serving as peer mentors in their community. Each mentor also participated in an individual, in-depth interview. The digital storytelling workshop process helped peer mentors make linkages between their past substance use experiences to their present work of recovery, and fostered deep social connections between mentors through the shared experience. The workshop process also elicited a sense of hope among participants, which served as groundwork for developing advocacy-based efforts. Digital storytelling may be therapeutic for women in recovery and has the potential to be integrated into recovery programs to bolster hope and social support among participants.

A Mixed Methods Study of Contraceptive Effectiveness in a Relationship Context Among Young Adult, Primarily Low-Income African American Women.

BACKGROUND: Unintended pregnancy is an important public health issue. Rates of unintended pregnancy are disproportionately higher among women from racial and ethnic minority groups among whom rates of contraceptive use are lower. Women's multifaceted feelings about pregnancy and perceptions of their intimate relationships may influence contraceptive behavior. METHODS: We used mixed methods to examine women's perceptions of pregnancy, motherhood, and contraceptives within the context of their intimate relationships. A convenience sample of 130 primarily low-income African American women ages 18-29 completed a cross-sectional, computerized survey; 12 women provided in-depth qualitative interview data. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify associations between study variables and contraceptive effectiveness. Interview data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods and integrated with quantitative data. RESULTS: Higher positive pregnancy attitude [odds ratio (OR) 0.78; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.63, 0.98], lower contraceptive attitude (OR 1.17; 95 % CI 1.01, 1.36), and more than one recent sexual partner (OR 0.03; 95 % CI <0.01, 0.60) were associated with less effective contraceptive use. Qualitative results included three themes: You get pregnant that's on you; Motherhood means everything; and Make sure you're stable. Women's qualitative reports primarily supported but occasionally diverged from quantitative findings, reflecting discrepancies from their stated ideals, personal goals, and behavior. CONCLUSION: The incongruities between women's ideals and their actual contraceptive behavior demonstrate the complexity of making reproductive decisions based on existing life circumstances and challenges. Health care providers should have broad understanding of women's pregnancy goals in order to recommend the most appropriate contraceptive methods and pre-conception counseling.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring and Cesarean Birth: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: In many United States hospitals, electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is used continuously during labor for all patients regardless of risk status. Application of EFM, particularly at labor admission, may trigger a chain of interventions resulting in increased risk for cesarean birth among low-risk women. The goal of this review was to summarize evidence on use of EFM during low-risk labors and identify gaps in research. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of studies published in English since 1996 that addressed the relationship between EFM use and cesarean among low-risk women. We screened 57 full-text articles for appropriateness. Seven articles were included in the final review. RESULTS: The largest study demonstrated an 81 percent increased risk of primary cesarean birth when EFM was used in labor, but did not differentiate between high- and low-risk pregnancies. Four randomized controlled trials examined the association of admission EFM with obstetric outcomes; only one considered cesarean birth as a primary outcome and found a 23 percent increase in operative birth when EFM lasted more than 1 hour. A study examining application of continuous EFM before and after 4 centimeters dilatation found no differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the research on this topic suggests an association between the use of EFM and cesarean birth; however, more well-designed studies are needed to examine benefits of EFM versus auscultation, determine if EFM is associated with use of other technologies that could cumulatively increase risk of cesarean birth, and understand provider motivation to use EFM over auscultation.

Screening for Intimate Partner Violence.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious concern for women that is associated with significant adverse health effects. Routine screening for IPV is recommended, but there are many barriers to screening that have been identified by providers, including discomfort, lack of training, and not knowing how to respond to a positive screen. This article reviews IPV screening and appropriate techniques for responding to a positive screen. IPV screening best practices include using a systematic protocol, developing a screening script, using a validated screening tool, and considerations for privacy and mandatory reporting. Responding to a positive screen should include acknowledging the experience, asking if the woman desires help, offering support and referrals, encouraging safety planning, and completing additional assessments to determine level of danger and to identify any comorbidities. Using these techniques along with therapeutic communication may increase IPV identification and create an environment in which women feel empowered to get help.

Impact of Intimate Partner Forced Sex on HIV Risk Factors in Physically Abused African American and African Caribbean Women.

We examined associations between intimate partner forced sex (IPFS) and HIV sexual risk behaviors among physically abused Black women. Women aged 18-55 in intimate relationships were interviewed in health clinics in Baltimore, MD and St. Thomas and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (USVI). Of 426 physically abused women, 38% experienced IPFS; (Baltimore = 44 and USVI = 116). USVI women experiencing IPFS were more likely to have 3+ past-year sex partners (AOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.03-4.14), casual sex partners (AOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.42-5.17), and concurrent sex partners (AOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01-3.73) compared to their counterparts. Baltimore women reporting IPFS were more likely to have exchanged sex (AOR 3.57, 95% CI 1.19-10.75). Women experiencing IPFS were more likely to report their abuser having other sexual partners in Baltimore (AOR 3.30, 95% CI 1.22-8.88) and USVI (AOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.20-3.44). Clinicians should consider the influence of IPFS on individual and partnership HIV sexual risk behaviors.

Development and psychometric testing of the attitude toward potential pregnancy scale.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and test a comprehensive tool for measuring women's attitudes toward the possibility of becoming pregnant. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mixed methods study. SETTING: Two obstetric/gynecologic (OB/GYN) clinics and one family planning clinic in Baltimore, Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred thirty (130) nonpregnant, primarily African American women (84%) age 18 to 29. METHODS: Participants completed a computer-based survey as part of a larger retrospective mixed-methods study. The Attitude Toward Potential Pregnancy Scale (APPS) was assessed using exploratory factor analysis and hypothesis testing. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency for the APPS was 0.86. Item-total correlations ranged from 0.56 to 0.75. All items loaded on one factor. Support for construct validity was demonstrated using logistic regression, where the odds of being a highly effective contraceptive user decreased by 8% with each one-point increase in score on the APPS (odds ratio = 0.92; confidence interval [0.87, 0.98]). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for reliability and validity of the APPS. The APPS may be a useful tool for understanding pregnancy attitude in future studies and in clinical practice. Further research is needed to assess the usefulness of the scale with other groups of women, its utility in the clinical practice setting, and its potential predictive validity for unintended pregnancy.

A review of factors associated with unprotected sex among adult women in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an updated review of research since 2005 on factors associated with unprotected sex among women in the United States. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychINFO were searched from January 2006 through April 2011 using the terms unsafe sex, sexual risk taking, contraception, contraception behavior, birth control, condoms, and condom utilization. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria included studies written in English on adult women in the United States age ≥ 18. Forty-five publications met inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: All factors associated with engagement in unprotected sex are presented. DATA SYNTHESIS: Unprotected sex has been associated with increasing age, being married, establishment of trust, recent experience of intimate partner violence, contraceptive side effects, infrequent sexual intercourse, and decreased arousal and pleasure due to contraceptive use. Religion, depression, history of abortion, number of children, having children, and number of pregnancies have not been associated with unprotected sex in recent studies. Several other variables have been studied with mixed results, possibly due to differences in research methods and sample characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed to elucidate the impact of cultural factors, relationship factors, attitude to pregnancy and motherhood, and reproductive coercion on prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Nurses can lead research on these topics and implement evidence-based practice based on study findings.